Fats at 4040 calories per pound

Carbohydrates at 1820 calories per pound

Measured by this rule the fuel value of:

Whole milk is310 calories per pound
Skim milk is160 calories per pound
Full cream cheese is1885 calories per pound
Butter is3410 calories per pound

Compared with other food, milk, although not suited to act as the sole food of adults, is one of the best and cheapest articles of diet, and should be much more extensively used.

The following table, compiled by specialists of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, shows the quantities of various foods needed to supply as much protein or energy as 1 quart of milk:

ProteinEnergy
1 quart of milk is equal to—
7 ounces of sirloin steak
6 ounces of round steak
4.3 eggs
8.6 ounces of fowl
1 quart of milk is equal to—
11.3 ounces of sirloin steak
14.9 ounces of round steak
9 eggs
14.5 ounces of fowl

Another method of comparison is shown by the table below, in which the relative value of certain foods as economical sources of protein is given:


Milk at—
Is as cheap as
sirloin steak at—

Or eggs at—
7 cents a quart16.3 cents a pound17.6 cents a dozen
8 cents a quart18.6 cents a pound20.1 cents a dozen
9 cents a quart21.0 cents a pound22.6 cents a dozen
10 cents a quart23.3 cents a pound25.1 cents a dozen
12 cents a quart27.9 cents a pound30.2 cents a dozen
15 cents a quart34.9 cents a pound37.7 cents a dozen

According to this table, if milk is selling at 10 cents a quart, sirloin steak must sell as low as 23.3 cents a pound, and eggs at 25.1 cents a dozen to supply protein at equal cost.