Friends and colleagues,

We all see how many of our adults snack away savings.  This is an
interesting comparison and could be extended by having our students consider
the cost of little bags of chips vs using some of a large bag and looking at
alternatives.

Sarah

Snacking Away Our Savings
Amanda Stevens, Dietetic Intern, University of Missouri-Columbia
Candance Gabel, MS, RD, LD, Associate State Nutrition Specialist, University
of Missouri-Columbia
In the car, watching television, at the computer, at the office, study
breaks- snacking is a big part of the American lifestyle. Americans' snack
intake has increased steadily over the last three decades. About 75% of
adults have at least one snack per day and preschoolers need three each day.
All this snacking can add up. It is estimated that snacks contribute to 10
percent or more of the monthly food bill in many American homes. Snacks can
be good for health and the budget. By choosing them carefully you can ensure
quality for quantity; you want snacks with a lot of nutrients for a bargain
price. Here are some price comparisons among our many snacking options.

Healthy Shopping at a Grocery Store
Granola bars instead of Energy Bars........     save $1.16 on a 2.5 oz bar
($.11 per oz vs. $.57 per oz)
Apples instead of Chips..........................       save $.35 for each
serving ($.07 per oz vs. $.34 per oz prepackaged)
Animal Crackers instead of Chips............    save $.44 for each serving
($.09 per oz prepackaged vs. $.34 per oz prepackaged)
Low fat grain bars instead of Weight Loss
Bars.....................................................
save $.58 for each serving · ($.12 per oz 6pk box vs. $.35 per oz 6pk box)
Pretzels instead of a Candy Bar...............  save $.34 for each serving
($.13 per oz vs. $.30 per oz)
Preplan and Save 
Orange Juice instead of Soda..................  save $.40 on a 20 oz serving
($.04 per oz prepackaged vs. $.06 per oz at gas station)
Baked Crackers instead of Chips.............    save $.25 on a serving ($.29
per oz prepackaged vs. $.43 per oz at vending machine)
Baby Carrots instead of Cookies..............   save $.33 for each serving
($.13 per oz prepackaged vs. $.43 per oz at vending machine) (4 oz of
carrots vs. 2 oz of cookies)
Yogurt instead of Candy Bars..................  save $.31 per serving ($.06
per oz vs. $.38 per oz at ball park) (8 oz of yogurt vs. 2 oz bar)
Banana instead of Candy Bars.................   save $.55 per serving ($.03
per oz vs. $.38 per oz at gas station)
Grapes instead of Chips..........................       save $.43 for each
serving ($.08 per oz vs. $.43 per oz at ball park)
Low Fat Milk instead of Soda................... save $.40 for a 20 oz
serving ($.04 per oz prepackaged vs. $.06 per oz at the gas station)
Bring Water instead of Soda.................... save $1.00 for each serving
Healthy Choices if You Forget to Plan
At the convenience store choose:
Yogurt instead of ChipsŠŠŠŠŠŠŠŠ.        save $.20 per serving ($.10 per oz
vs. $.33 per oz) (8 oz serving of yogurt vs. 3 oz serving of chips)
Cheese Snack Cubes instead of
Cookies.................................................
save $.30 per serving ($.05 per oz vs. $.33 per oz) (15 oz of cheese vs. 3oz
of cookies)       
Peanut Butter Crackers instead of Candy
BarŠŠŠ..............................................
save $.26 per serving ($.06 per cracker vs. $.38 per oz) (6 pk crackers vs.
2 oz bar)  
At the vending machine choose:
Pretzels instead of CookiesŠŠŠŠŠŠ.      save $.35 per serving ($.33 per oz
vs. $.43 per oz)   
Animal Crackers instead of a Candy Bar...       same price, but more
crackers and less calories ($.40 per oz vs. $.47 per oz)
The Big Picture 
This may seem like small change, but it adds up quickly.  If you chose a
healthier option each day, you would save an average of $.65 per day, $4.55
per week, $18.20 per month, $218.40 per year!!  Now, put that in a savings
account and think about the interest adding up.
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