An Ounce of Prevention Costs WHAT???

We like a bargain, but we are also keen on convenience and aesthetics.

A recent trip through the grocery store revealed that there are lots of options for satisfying our appetites out there - from heat-and-eat meals to pre-packaged calorie-counted snacks, but it can be difficult to know what, exactly, we're purchasing when we buy the boxed items.

These "weight control" oats (also, note the "heart healthy" decoration) only cost $2.54 per box, but this box - despite its size - only contains 12.8 ounces of oats. Per pound, they cost $3.39. Still doesn't seem like such a big deal? You could purchase rolled oats in the bulk foods section of many grocery stores for less than $1.50 and flavor them yourself. If your grocery store doesn't have a bulk foods section, compare the price of the big round box of oats. It will be much cheaper. When you buy those special single-serve packages, your paying for the packaging in addition to the ingredients within, and often the packaging is costing you more than the the cost of the ingredients.

Another example of paying for packaging is with these fruit crisps. While the box costs $2.99, look closer to see what that $2.99 is buying. The net weight of the entire box of food, despite the fact that it contains TWELVE crisps (as noted prominently on the front of the package) is less than half a pound. It is actually 5.28 ounces. This makes the price per pound for this product $9.06!

This package takes the cake - literally - as the biggest rip-off I encountered during my trip. The appeal of the 100 calorie-ness of these Fudge Grahams must lie with it's enticing message that reassures us of how "right" eating these snacks are (i.e.: "Right Bites" AND the fact that the prominent color on the package's signage is a reassuring blue [see previous post about the psychology behind colors used in advertising]), because it certainly would not possibly be that of value. While this package "only" costs $2.69, the TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE PACKAGE is an unimpressive 4.24 ounces! No wonder they are only 100 calories. Air has 0 calories. Sell air in handy 6-packs for $5.00 each and you could make a fortune selling to all of the calorie-conscious consumers... The cost per pound of these snacks is $10.15!

Compare these prepackaged foods to some others I came across:

1 dozen eggs $1.19 (just under 10-cents per serving)
1 lb dried black beans - $1.49 (makes approx. 6 servings, cooked, for 25-cents per serving)
1 lb apples - $1.49 - $2.49
1 lb broccoli - $2.49
1 lb green cabbage - $1.49
1 lb lean ground turkey - $6.99

While I don't expect you'd be drawn to a stalk of broccoli in quite the same way you'd gravitate toward some cookies, being a savvy shopper includes knowing what you are purchasing, and I thought this illustrated the difference between the cost of food and the cost of packaging. Understanding the difference between purchasing food and purchasing packaging is huge. Look for ways to minimize the amount of money you are spending on cardboard, foil and plastic, if your budget or dietary needs do not allow for that "luxury". While I would agree that most everyone would benefit from more fiber in their diets, getting it through cardboard is not the answer ;-).

In addition to the serving sizes, it's also important to check the weight of the food within the package so that you are completely informed about what, exactly, your food dollar is buying. Yes, it seems super time-consuming to attempt to calculate every item you purchase. So, maybe you don't calculate each and every one, all at once. Check out your pantry or cabinets. Find one or two items you routinely purchase and calculate the price per pound, just so you have a point of reference the next time you shop (boxed cereal is a great one to try). Gradually, you'll develop a keener eye for the price per pound of your favorite staples. You just might be surprised how little you've actually been buying!