The following table, adapted from one compiled by Gephart and Lusk (“Analysis and Cost of Ready to Serve Foods”), shows in convenient form the relative energy values and cost of the more commonly used articles of food.
A brief glance at this table will show how easily one might slowly starve on very expensive food, and yet how easily the energy food needed can be secured at a very low cost.
It would, of course, be a great mistake to regulate the diet solely with regard to fuel value. Digestibility, as well as protein, mineral and vitamin requirements, must also be considered. Nevertheless, the main requirement is for fuel, and this, as the table shows, can be secured at a surprizingly low cost.
| Name of Food. | No. of Calories in One Order.[E] | Cost of One Order “Quick Lunch” Restaurant. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napoleon | 418.6 | $0.05 | |
| Crullers | 416.6 | .05 | |
| Cabinet pudding and vanilla sauce | 416.6 | .05 | |
| Cocoanut pie | 357 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Roast beef sandwich with roll | 357 | .05 |
| Bath buns | 357 | .05 | |
| Bread custard pudding | 357 | .05 | |
| Pineapple pie | 357 | .05 | |
| Corn muffins | 357 | .05 | |
| Apple pie | 357 | .05 | |
| New England pudding with vanilla sauce | 312.5 | .05 | |
| Chocolate spiced cakes. | 312.5 | .05 | |
| Walnut layer cake with marshmallow icing | 312.5 | .05 | |
| Milk crackers | 312.5 | .05 | |
| Bread pudding with vanilla sauce | 312.5 | .05 | |
| Pumpkin pie | 312.5 | .05 | |
| [G] | Lamb croquettes and mashed potatoes | 833.3 | .15 |
| Coffee cake | 277.7 | .05 | |
| Rhubarb pie | 277.7 | .05 | |
| [G] | German meat cakes and French fried potatoes | 833.3 | .15 |
| Old-fashioned molasses cake | 277.7 | .05 | |
| Lemon pie | 277.7 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Vienna roast with French fried potatoes | 833.3 | .15 |
| Butter cakes | 277.7 | .05 | |
| Minced ham sandwich | 277.7 | .05 | |
| Pork and Boston beans | 833.3 | .15 | |
| Cornmeal cakes with maple cane sirup | 500 | .10 | |
| [G] | Ham croquettes | 500 | .10 |
| Cold rice pudding | 277.7 | .05 | |
| Ham sandwich with roll | 250 | .05 | |
| Banana layer cake | 250 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Creamed chipped beef on toast | 833.3 | .15 |
| Cocoa | 250 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Roast beef cutlet with tomato sauce | 833.3 | .15 |
| [F][G] | German meat cakes with lyonnaise potatoes | 833.3 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Swiss cheese sandwich | 250 | .05 |
| [F] | Boston baked beans | 500 | .10 |
| [G] | Vienna roast, spaghetti and potatoes | 625 | .15 |
| Chocolate cornstarch with cream | 227.2 | .05 | |
| Wheat cakes with maple cane sirup | 500 | .10 | |
| Milk crackers and milk | 500 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | American cheese sandwich | 227.2 | .05 |
| [F] | New York baked beans | 500 | .10 |
| Hot corn bread | 416.6 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Country sausage | 227.2 | .05 |
| Indian pudding with maple sauce | 227.2 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Minced tongue sandwich with tea biscuits | 227.2 | .05 |
| Cream roll | 227.2 | .05 | |
| [G] | Beef cakes with brown gravy and macaroni | 625 | .15 |
| [F] | New York beans, on the side | 227.2 | .05 |
| Graham crackers | 227.2 | .05 | |
| [G] | Broiled ham | 833.3 | .20 |
| [G] | Roast beef hash, browned | 625 | .15 |
| Oyster pie | 625 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Minced chicken sandwich | 227.2 | .05 |
| Apple tapioca pudding | 227.2 | .05 | |
| Potato salad | 416.6 | .10 | |
| Chocolate layer cake | 208.3 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Breaded veal cutlet and tomato sauce | 833.3 | .20 |
| Egg plant fried in butter | 625 | .15 | |
| Buckwheat cakes with maple cane sirup | 417.6 | .10 | |
| [G] | Roast beef croquettes with macaroni | 625 | .15 |
| [G] | Fried bacon with French fried potatoes | 833.3 | .20 |
| [G] | Sardine sandwich | 208.3 | .05 |
| [F][G] | Minced ham sandwich with olives | 208.3 | .05 |
| [F][G] | Ham and New York Beans | 625 | .15 |
| Vanilla cornstarch with cream | 208.3 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Roast beef cutlet and mashed potatoes | 625 | .15 |
| [G] | Lamb cutlet and mashed potatoes | 625 | .15 |
| Cocoanut cake | 208.3 | .05 | |
| Cream cheese walnut sandwich | 208.3 | .05 | |
| [F] | New York baked beans with tomato sauce | 416.6 | .10 |
| [G] | Ham and Boston beans | 625 | .15 |
| [G] | Liver and onions with French fried potatoes | 833.3 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Beef stew | 625 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Pork and New York beans | 625 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Ham sandwich | 192.3 | .05 |
| Rice croquette with bacon | 625 | .15 | |
| Baked apple with cream | 416.6 | .10 | |
| [G] | Frankfurters and potato salad | 625 | .15 |
| Baked beans with macaroni | 625 | .15 | |
| Cup of coffee (containing cream and sugar) | 192.3 | .05 | |
| [G] | Mince pie | 417.6 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Lamb stew | 625 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Broiled salt mackerel with mashed potatoes | 833.3 | .20 |
| Cherry pie | 357 | .10 | |
| Pound cake | 357 | .10 | |
| [G] | Chicken cutlet and mashed potatoes | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Shredded wheat and milk | 357 | .10 |
| Cream tapioca pudding | 192.3 | .05 | |
| Soda crackers and milk | 357 | .10 | |
| Strawberry pie | 357 | .10 | |
| Chocolate eclair | 192.3 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Baked lamb pie (individual) | 625 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef sandwich | 192.3 | .05 |
| [G] | Broiled bacon | 833.3 | .20 |
| Rice cakes with maple cane sirup | 625 | .15 | |
| [G] | Cold ham | 500 | .15 |
| [G] | Roast beef croquettes and spaghetti | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Chipped beef and scrambled egg | 833.3 | .20 |
| [G] | Minced ham with scrambled eggs | 833.3 | .20 |
| Peach pie | 357 | .10 | |
| [G] | Baked macaroni and cheese | 357 | .10 |
| Huckleberry pie | 357 | .10 | |
| French toast with maple cane sirup. | 625 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Corned beef and New York beans | 500 | .15 |
| Blackberry pie | 357 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Veal pot pie with dumplings | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Creamed codfish on toast | 500 | .15 |
| [G] | Vienna roast with stewed tomatoes | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Tomato omelet | 625 | .20 |
| [G] | Small oyster fry | 625 | .20 |
| Hot rice with cream | 500 | .15 | |
| [G] | Plain oyster fry with bacon | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Hamburger steak | 625 | .20 |
| [G] | Corned beef hash, browned in pan | 500 | .15 |
| [G] | Corned beef hash, steamed | 500 | .15 |
| Cream | 500 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Chicken wings on toast | 625 | .20 |
| [G] | Country sausage and French fried potatoes | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef and Boston beans | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Two fried eggs | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Ham omelet | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Plain omelet | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Fried liver and mashed potatoes | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Creamed chipped beef | 500 | .15 |
| [G] | Large oyster fry | 833.3 | .25 |
| Apple fritters with fruit sauce | 312.5 | .10 | |
| [G] | Fish cakes with tomato sauce | 500 | .15 |
| French fried potatoes, extra order | 312.5 | .10 | |
| Chocolate cornstarch with whipped cream | 156.25 | .05 | |
| Shredded wheat and cream | 416.6 | .15 | |
| [G] | Chicken croquette and French fried potatoes | 500 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef hash with poached egg | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Ham and eggs | 833.3 | .25 |
| [G] | Ham and potato salad | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Baked shad and dressing | 625 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Hamburger steak with Spanish sauce | 625 | .20 |
| Charlotte russe | 156.25 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Creamed eggs on toast | 625 | .20 |
| [G] | Bacon and eggs | 833.3 | .25 |
| Strawberry fruit jelly with whipped cream | 156.25 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Buckwheat cakes with country sausage | 625 | .20 |
| [G] | Oyster sandwich | 312.5 | .10 |
| [F] | Chicken giblets on toast | 625 | .20 |
| Hot rice with butter | 312.5 | .10 | |
| Pimento olive cheese sandwich | 156.25 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Liver and bacon with lyonnaise potatoes | 833.3 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef hash, browned, with two poached eggs | 833.3 | .25 |
| Buttered toast | 312.5 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Liver and bacon | 833.3 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Chicken hash | 416.6 | .15 |
| [G] | Two scrambled eggs | 416.6 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Milk | 277.7 | .10 |
| Apple sauce with whipped cream | 147.05 | .05 | |
| Hot rice with poached egg | 416.6 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Corned beef with potato salad | 416.6 | .15 |
| Fish cakes with poached egg | 625 | .20 | |
| [F][G] | Cold roast beef | 416.6 | .15 |
| [G] | Hot rice with milk | 277.7 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Small steak | 833.3 | .30 |
| Baked apple | 138.8 | .05 | |
| Baked apple with ice cream | 277.7 | .10 | |
| [G] | Two lamb chops | 833.3 | .30 |
| [G] | Chicken salad sandwich | 277.7 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef hash, steamed, with poached egg | 500 | .20 |
| [F] | Boston beans on side | 131.57 | .05 |
| Tomato sandwich | 131.57 | .05 | |
| [G] | Lamb chops, breaded, with mashed potatoes | 500 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Maple flakes with milk | 277.7 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Corned beef | 416.6 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Bulgarzoon | 131.57 | .05 |
| [G] | Spanish omelet with French fried potatoes | 625 | .25 |
| Baked apple custard with whipped cream | 250 | .10 | |
| Boiled rice, side order | 131.57 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Fried egg sandwich | 250 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Onion omelet | 500 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Baked weak fish with dressing | 500 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Sirloin steak | 1250 | .50 |
| Fresh cooked oatmeal with cream | 416.6 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Fish cakes with macaroni | 500 | .20 |
| Sliced bananas with cream | 250 | .10 | |
| [F] | Macaroni, side order | 125 | .05 |
| [F][G] | Roast sirloin of beef and mashed potatoes | 500 | .20 |
| [G] | Tomato omelet with potatoes | 625 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Two boiled eggs | 357 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Fish cakes with spaghetti | 500 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Macaroni omelet and tomato sauce | 625 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Small steak with onions | 833.3 | .35 |
| [F][G] | Fish cake sandwich | 227.2 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Egg salad | 500 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Parsley omelet | 500 | .20 |
| Green split pea soup | 227.2 | .10 | |
| Vanilla ice cream | 227.2 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Tenderloin steak with onions | 1250 | .55 |
| [F][G] | Cornflakes and milk | 227.2 | .10 |
| Strawberry tart | 227.2 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Tuna fish salad | 500 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Sirloin steak with onions | 1250 | .55 |
| Pineapple fruit jelly with whipped cream | 108.69 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Cup custard | 227.2 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Roast beef with potato salad | 500 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Tenderloin steak | 1250 | .60 |
| [G] | Milk toast | 312.5 | .15 |
| Strawberry cornstarch with whipped cream | 104.16 | .05 | |
| Strawberry ice cream | 208.3 | .10 | |
| [F][G] | Clam chowder | 416.6 | .20 |
| [F] | Chicken soup | 312.5 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Crab meat salad | 416.6 | .20 |
| Vegetable soup | 192.3 | .10 | |
| Stewed rhubarb | 92.59 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Creamed chicken on toast | 357 | .20 |
| Strawberries with cream | 277.7 | .15 | |
| Strawberry short cake | 277.7 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Chicken omelet | 416.6 | .20 |
| [F][G] | Deviled crab | 277.7 | .20 |
| Sliced bananas | 89.28 | .05 | |
| [F][G] | Spaghetti and cheese | 178.57 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Fried ham | 416.6 | .25 |
| [G] | Minced chicken sandwich with lettuce | 166.66 | .10 |
| [F] | Bean soup with croutons | 166.66 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Hot roast beef sandwich | 250 | .15 |
| [F][G] | Club sandwich | 416.6 | .25 |
| [F][G] | Sliced chicken sandwich | 156.25 | .10 |
| [F][G] | Poached eggs on toast | 500 | .20 |
| Strawberries with ice cream | 192.3 | .15 | |
| [F] | Cream of wheat | 125 | .10 |
| Blackberries and cream | 113.63 | .10 | |
| Stewed corn | 52.08 | .05 | |
| [F] | Creamed asparagus on toast | 192.3 | .20 |
| Watermelon | 125 | .15 | |
| [F] | Tomato soup with rice | 73.52 | .10 |
| Sliced pineapple | 35.21 | .05 | |
| Grape Fruit | 78.12 | .15 | |
| [F][G] | Raw oysters | 55.55 | .15 |
| Sliced tomatoes with lettuce | 50 | .15 | |
| [F] | Sliced tomatoes | 30.48 | .10 |
| Tomatoes and lettuce with dressing | 53.19 | .20 | |
| Cantaloupe | 36.23 | .15 | |
| Champagne[H] | 357 | 1.00 | |
[E] These values cover the whole portion as served, including bread and butter.
[F] Contains 15 per cent. or over of heat in protein.
[G] contains the protein of meat, milk, eggs or cheese.
[H] Not purchased in the restaurant.
The Minimal Cost of Food
Professor Graham Lusk has very kindly contributed the following comments and additional table, derived from this material: