Foods 1 - Obj. 6.01 Meal Planning
name brands
Products of this type are the most expensive because of advertising expenses, brand loyalty and demand for the product
plan the entree
this method requires you to plan the entree for the meals you will be preparing and then buying a variety of produce (fresh, canned, frozen) and other items you make like; this method is very flexible with some organization to your meals; you would select from what you have to prepare the meals so it is very flexible; taking inventory of what you have and noting what you need is key
lunch
this should account for about 1/3 of the day's calories
dinner or supper
this should account for about 1/3 of the day's calories; it is usually a main course of meat, fish, or poultry. 2 vegetables OR 1 vegetable and a salad, a carbohydrate- bread, rice, pasta, etc.
breakfast
this should account for about ¼ of the day's calories; it usually consists of a carbohydrate, fruit, and beverage
mix and match
with this method you would buy a variety of foods without anything in particular in mind for the week's meals; when it is time to plan what you are making, you would look to see what you have and put together the meal accordingly; the key is to be sure you have plenty of foods to select from all food groups
generics
brands that are the least expensive and may be sold at more than one store such as IGA Brand and Valu Time.
meal planning first step
choose an entree or main dish and then pair it with sides.
Meal appeal factors
color (use a variety of colors that brighten the meal); shape and size; flavor and aroma; texture; temperature
meal-by-meal
complete a chart that counts for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks for each day of the week; as you complete the chart you can make your grocery list so you have all of the items you will need; this method is very efficient but it is very time consuming and is not very flexible
store brands
products specific to the store where one is shopping such as Great Value at Wal-Mart and Cha-Ching at Food Lion
factors for meal planning
nutrition; how the meals fits in the day's eating pattern, people who will be eating; resources available
impulse buy
picking up and purchasing items that are not on your shopping list was you move through a store; it increases your grocery spending and may blow your budget
resources for meal planning
Money; equipment; time and energy; food choices and availability (seasonal foods; gourmet foods); knowledge and/or skills
budget shopping strategies
Never go grocery shopping while hungry; always make a list; carefully consider use or need for of a product that is not on your list to limit impulse buys
best meal planning strategy
Task best done weekly to save money on the budget and time spent shopping
milk bread
__________ and __________ are often on opposite sides of the store because that is what most families run out of during the week, and as you go past other items, you may purchase other things.
loss leaders
an item that is sold at cost or even below what it costs the grocery store to buy it. These staple products are designed to get people in the store where impulse buying and other shopping make up for the loss. Iceberg lettuce, bread and some meat department items my be put on sale this way.
personal factors in meal planning
individual nutrition needs; personal likes and dislikes; food to be avoided for medical, personal, or religious reasons; age
resources for reducing food expenses
look for supermarket advertisements/specials; choose economical main dishes; reduce food waste; plan for leftovers/portion control; prepare more simple meals at home; allow for flexibility in meal planning; compare prices: stores, brands, sizes