Suppose Deb decides to eat the sunflower seeds. Which result would be a cost?
Deb will get to eat the sunflower seeds. The sunflower seeds will be healthier than the apple crisp would have been. Deb will give up the chance to eat the apple crisp. Deb thinks apple crisp would have tasted better than sunflower seeds will.
Deb is deciding whether to eat sunflower seeds or apple crisp for an afternoon snack. She would like to eat something tasty, but she is also trying to be healthier.
Before you decide to do something, it is often helpful to list costs and benefits.
Costs are what you give up or spend when you decide to do something. Costs involve giving up things that you want or need.
Benefits are what you gain or save when you decide to do something. Benefits involve gaining something that you want or need.
This result is a cost. It involves giving up or spending something that Deb wants or needs:
Deb will give up the chance to eat the apple crisp. Deb thinks apple crisp would have tasted better than sunflower seeds will.