Spend Smart. Eat Smart.

100-calorie snack packs are a temptation when I am trying to keep my calories under control…I’m tempted because they are convenient, but I always balk at the price. Plus, most of them are higher in sugar and fat than I usually eat. There’s a section on our Spend Smart. Eat Smart. web site that discusses the 100-calorie snacks and the University of Arkansas gives ideas for healthy snacks you can portion yourself in 100-Calorie Snacks: 20 Choices.

-pointers by Peggy

food cost, food preparation, resources 100-calorie packs, convenience, cost, portion, snacks

“Yikes! The kids are home for the summer and eating me out of house and home!” I’ve felt this way many times. One way we’ve tried to deal with summer snacking at our house is through a tried and true method ISU Extension has been teaching for years: snack boxes. This works if you are home all day with your children (or if you are a home child care provider), if your children are home with a teen sitter, or if your children are at the age they can stay home alone. Put a container in the refrigerator and one in the cupboard. The purpose of these containers is to have some grab-and-go snacks that children can eat between meals. To learn more, see Summer Snacks!

-contributed by Renee Sweers

food cost, food preparation, recipes kids, snack boxes, snacks, summer

We all know it is much easier to shop without kids along, but sometimes it can’t be avoided.

Recently, Ruby, an Extension staff member, shared how she dealt with this issue as a single parent. Together, she and her pre-school daughter planned their meals and snacks, wrote their grocery list and then went to the store. When the four-year old saw something she wanted, they’d check the list. If it wasn’t on the list, they didn’t buy it.

The list was specific. If they needed cereal, the brand was included. No more ‘middle of the cereal aisle’ arguments as to whether to buy plain Cheerios® or a pre-sweetened cereal with a favorite character on the package front. Yes, the four-year-old sometimes said “we need to put that cereal on the list next time,” but generally forgot about it when time came for the next planning session.

Snacks were part of the planned list, too. It is much easier to guide a child’s snack choices at home where healthy snacks can be planned for, than in front of the tempting candy or chip section at the store.

What about toys, books, and other trinkets? Since they didn’t eat them, they weren’t on the list!

Looking back, Ruby realizes this strategy has lots of benefits. They stayed within their limited food budget, ate healthier food choices, her daughter learned discipline at an early age and they shared a pleasant time together.

What do you do to make shopping with kids a little easier?

For additional shopping tips check out when to shop on the Spend Smart. Eat Smart. site.

-contributed by Joyce Greving

food cost, resources budget, discipline, grocery list, kids, planning, shopping, snacks

As I looked at my sister’s grocery receipts, I noticed she bought lots of fresh, canned, and frozen fruits and vegetables, which is great! There are not many prepackaged meals or convenience items—also a plus. The meat purchased was quite economical with the exception of chicken strips. They are generally not a smart buy in terms of nutrition and cost. 

There were four places I think my sister’s family could consider making some changes:

1. Reduce the number of boxes of Toaster Strudel™ purchased. Twelve boxes (72 strudels) during the month cost about $25. Toaster Strudels™ are 190 calories, 38% fat including Trans Fat and provide zero vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and only 4% iron. Check out ideas for substitutes that your family could try on our recipe page.

 

2. Reduce the amount of Kudos® (5), snack crackers (9), cookies (2), Cheetos® (2), snack pudding and gelatin cups (2), and jars of peanuts (4). Cost for these items was around $85. Encouraging the family to eat fruits and vegetables as a snack would decrease calories and increase nutrition content. Consider making some homemade bakery items for snacks. Packaging these items in snack bags could help with portion control. Popcorn could substitute for crackers as a snack. If you pop your own, it is very economical.

 

3. The 13 packages of crescent rolls purchased this month cost around $37. Consider substituting whole wheat, French, or Italian bread for crescent rolls. Slice the bread, spread with margarine, sprinkle with garlic powder, and toast.

 

4. Review the amount and brand of cheese purchased. The amount spent for the month was $33. Most of the cheese purchased was a name brand, instead of a store brand. Cheese does provide good amounts of calcium, but it is high in calories, fat, and sodium.

-pointers from Peggy

food cost, food preparation groceries, nutrition, receipts, snacks, substitutions

When I go by a vending machine, it is tempting to stop for a snack. But, just like everything, prices have gone up. If I buy a $.75 item every day, it adds up to $3.75 per week and $195.00 in a year. I can think of lots of things to do with $195.00—like getting several massages, or taking my family out for a special treat.

You can save money if you take a snack from home. For example, peanuts are a popular selection at a vending machine. The cost is $.75 for 2 ounces. But, if I buy a large container of peanuts* (34 ounces) for $5.29 and fill a small container that holds 2 ounces, my cost for a snack is only $.31. WOW! The vending machine snack costs more than twice as much.

This same concept works with most of the items in the vending machine…now if I can just remember to bring that snack from home.

Share with me some ways you save money on snacks.

*Dry roasted peanuts are healthier than cocktail peanuts because they have less sodium and fat.

                                                                                                          -contributed by Susie

food cost peanuts, snacks, vending