Being A

Good

Consumer

By Angelina Bongiovanni High school health

A Responsible Consumer:

- asks questions

- is skeptical

- seeks expert advice

- Consults with pharmacist

Control Yourself !

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 and

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

Eat smart. Feel Better !

- Always follow the

printed directions and

warnings.

- Talk to your health care

provider before starting

a new medicine.

- Look at the list of

ingredients and choose

products that have fewer

items listed.

Over the Counter Drugs

Good Supermarket

Strategies

Read labels

Walk the perimeter of the store

Compare prices

Look for coupons

Look for expiration dates

Coupons.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 calories

Sugar 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://consumerhealthfdn.org