"In order, however, that the question of the use of cheese in the diet may be adequately discussed, knowledge of its composition in comparison with other foods is desirable, and there is an abundance of data available on this subject, since the composition of cheese and other foods has often been investigated at the Department of Agriculture, in experiment station laboratories and in many other places where nutrition problems are studied. An extended summary of analyses of cheese of different sorts is included in an earlier publication of this department.[142]
"Data regarding the composition of cheese and a few other common foods are summarized in the following table.
"It will be seen from the table (Table XXX) that cheese has nearly twice as much protein, weight for weight, as beef of average composition as purchased and that its fuel value is more than twice as great. It contains over 25 per cent more protein than the same weight of porterhouse steak as purchased, and nearly twice as much fat.
TABLE XXX
| Average Composition of Cheese and Some Other Common Foods as Purchased, and also onthe Basis of Edible Portion | ||||||||
| Food Materials | Refuse | Water | Protein | Fat | Carbo hydrates | Ash | Fuel Value per Pound | Fuel Value Compared to Cheese[143] |
| % | % | % | % | % | % | Calories | ||
Cheese, American Cheddar[144] | —— | 34.2 | 25.2 | 33.7 | 2.4 | 3.8 | 1,950 | 1.00 |
Beef of average composition as purchased | 18.6 | 50.5 | 15.2 | 15.5 | —— | .7 | 935 | 0.48 |
| Edible portion | —— | 62.2 | 18.8 | 18.8 | —— | .9 | 1,145 | 0.58 |
Porterhouse steak as purchased | 12.7 | 52.4 | 19.1 | 17.9 | —— | .8 | 1,110 | 0.57 |
| Edible portion | —— | 60.0 | 21.9 | 20.4 | —— | 1.0 | 1,270 | 0.65 |
Loin steak, broiled, edible portion | —— | 54.8 | 23.5 | 20.4 | —— | 1.2 | 1,300 | 0.66 |
| Dried beef | —— | 53.7 | 26.4 | 6.9 | —— | 8.9 | 790 | 0.45 |
| Eggs as purchased | 11.2 | 65.5 | 13.1 | 9.3 | —— | .9 | 635 | 0.32 |
| Edible portion | —— | 73.7 | 13.4 | 10.5 | —— | 1.0 | 720 | 0.37 |
| Milk | —— | 87.0 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 5.0 | .7 | 310 | 0.16 |
| Bread | —— | 35.3 | 9.2 | 1.3 | 53.1 | 1.1 | 1,215 | 0.62 |
Potatoes as purchased | 20.0 | 62.6 | 1.8 | .1 | 14.7 | .8 | 295 | 0.15 |
| Edible portion | —— | 78.3 | 2.2 | .1 | 18.4 | 1.0 | 385 | 0.20 |
| Apples as purchased | 25.0 | 63.6 | .3 | .3 | 10.8 | .3 | 190 | 0.10 |
| Edible portion | —— | 84.6 | .4 | .5 | 14.2 | .3 | 290 | 0.15 |
"As shown by the figures in the following table, cheese contains 3.8 per cent ash. Of this a considerable part may be salt added in cheese-making. Like the milk from which it is made, cheese ash is characterized chiefly by the presence of calcium (lime), magnesium, phosphorus and iron, the average values as given in earlier bulletins of the department[145] being 1.24 per cent calcium oxid, 0.049 per cent magnesium oxid, 1.49 per cent phosphorus pentoxid, and 0.0015 per cent iron."
It is clear from the calculations shown in the last column, that Cheddar cheese takes first rank among the foods compared as to fuel value. The estimate of food values in terms of calories may not completely express the value of that food to a particular individual. It is generally conceded that one great function of food is the production of energy and this function is probably more closely determined by the number of calories produced than in any other known way. Such calculation has become an essential factor in the preparation of dietaries. The calculation here given necessarily applies only to Cheddar cheese. By easy use of the last column, the caloric value of this cheese can be compared with that of any competing food and the relative economy determined, whatever the price asked. Another recent calculation with reference[146] to the same cheese follows:
"One pound of American Cheddar cheese contains as much protein as—
1.57 pounds of sirloin steak.
1.35 pounds of round steak.
1.89 pounds of fowl.
1.79 pounds of smoked ham.
1.81 pounds of fresh ham.