Being A Good Consumer

By Rosalie Cohen12th Grade Health

A Responsible Consumer:

- asks questions- is skeptical- seeks expert advice

Shopping Impulse buying-

is a purchase that is not planned and is usually not needed.

Opportunity cost- is something you give up when you decide to do something else.

Grocery Shopping Farmers’ markets can be good sources

for produce Supermarkets offer convenience and

choice.- Expensive and less nutritious - Find ways for the consumer to spend more money

Supermarkets Vs. Consumers

Geography of supermarkets Smells draw consumers to certain areas Restaurants or cafes inside Essential items located in the back Items are placed at eye level for kids Produce is displayed in bright light and

sprayed with water

Click here to view an abc news report on consumer awareness

Good Supermarket Strategies

Read labels Walk the perimeter of

the store Compare prices Look for coupons Look for expiration

datesCoupons.com

How To Read A Food Label Start at the serving

size to see how many servings there are.

Check the total calories per serving

Limit FAT Look for fiber and

vitamins Check the Daily

Values

If a food claims to be…Calorie free less than 5 caloriesSugar free less than .5 grams of sugar

Fat in Foods

Fat Free has less than .5 grams of fat Low fat has 3 grams or less Reduced has at least 25% less Low in saturated has 1 gram of

saturated fat or less

Cholesterol Cholesterol Free – less

than 2 mg

Low Cholesterol – 20 or fewer milligrams

Two Types of Cholesterol: HDL (Good) LDL (Bad)

Naturally Cholesterol Free Foods

Grain/Rice

Potatoes

Fruits & Vegetables

Fish

Soy/Tofu

Sodium Sodium Free – Less than 5 mg

Very Low Sodium – Less than 35 mg

Low Sodium – Less than 140 mg

Sodium helps to regulate the amount of water in the body’s cells

Sodium deficiency can lead to dehydration or exhaustion

Too much sodium can result in high blood pressure

Fiber High in Fiber – 5g

Good Source of Fiber – more than 2.5g

Types of Fiber: Soluble Insoluble

High Fiber Foods Lentils/Split Peas/Lima beans

Artichokes/Green Peas

Whole grain

Nuts/Seeds

Fresh or Dried Fruit

References Butler, J. T. Consumer Health: Making Informed

Decisions. Burlington: Jones and Bartlett, 2012. Print.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/HeartSmartShopping/Reading-Food-Nutrition-Labels_UCM_300132_Article.jsp

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fiber-foods/NU00582

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/cholesterol-free-foods#2