Single SNAP recipients in NY state currently receive a maximum allotment of $250 dollars per month, or $62.50 each week. In this assignment, we will see how far that money takes us! You will: A. Calculate your total energy needs using your weight in kilograms. calculate for 25 kcal/kg, 0.8 g protein per kg (This will happen automatically in the spreadsheet) B. Complete the weekly budget worksheet, building a shopping list for 7 days of complete nutrition for yourself using a budget of $65-$75. C. For each day in the spreadsheet, make a plan for meals and snacks. Don’t just list foods, list what you would serve for each meal specifically (i.e. lentil soup or scrambled eggs, not just “egg” or “lentil”). Include the quantity of each item (cups, amount of eggs, general measurements). D. Analyze your diet for each of the 7 days using a basic nutrient analysis tool such as MyFitnessPal or CarbManager. Fill in the macronutrient and calorie statistics for each meal and snack on the spreadsheet. After creating a week’s worth of food on the spreadsheet, and analyzing it, you will write 1-2 pages considering the following: E. Did you meet your calorie and protein needs each day? What was the percentage total for the week of calories from carbohydrate, fat, and protein? F. How much time would it take you to plan, cook, and shop for these meals? G. Refer to the specific diet recommendations for diabetes, is it easy to stay compliant with ADA recommendations on this budget? What else did you notice about the food you were planning, was it high in salt or sugar? Why might this be of concern for public health professionals. H. As a future community nutrition professional, how will you use this experience to inform the way you talk about nutrition, health, and food insecurity?
