Time for plain talk.<\/p>\n
Nutritious foods are important for good health, calories are necessary for survival.\u00a0\u00a0 With all the “right wing” radio shows pitching “gourmet” survival foods, let’s talk about the reality of their doomsday scenario.<\/p>\n
The fundamental rule of all living organisms is those that collect more energy than they consume live, those that don’t die.\u00a0\u00a0 Those that store energy can survive periods where energy supply is less than energy use.<\/p>\n
Human survival at a functional level depends on around 1000 calories per day, a bit more or less depending on sex, body size, general health.<\/p>\n
Those of us who grew up in a poor family already instinctively know most of what I’m going to explain, but probably not those under 50.<\/p>\n
As a general rule*, the price of foods that do not have a premium price because of their social status or those that require expensive shipping are very strongly connected to the calorie content within the food.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It isn’t a straight line, but the range is probably more narrow than you think.<\/p>\n
If you have too much time on your hands, next time you are at the supermarket, calculate the $cost per 1,000 calories of the items you see on the shelf.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You’ll quickly notice that those foods which are eaten by poorer people or people in less developed economies are mostly those that have a low cost per 1k calories.<\/p>\n
| Food<\/th> | Cost \r\n(11\/27\/2011)<\/th> | Calories per package<\/th> | $ per 1k calories<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starch - Pillsbury All Purpose (5 pound)<\/td> | $3.00<\/td> | 8030<\/td> | $0.37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Corn Oil - Mazola (40 oz)<\/td> | $4.21<\/td> | 9600<\/td> | $0.43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Domino Granulated (5 lb bag)<\/td> | $3.79<\/td> | 8505<\/td> | $0.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Carolina Long Grain rice (20 lb bag)<\/td> | $13.69<\/td> | 30,300<\/td> | $0.45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Ramen Chicken \"flavor\" noodles (36 oz - 12 ct)<\/td> | $2.50<\/td> | 4560<\/td> | $0.54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - LandO'Lakes Margaine sticks (1lb box)<\/td> | $2.19<\/td> | 3200<\/td> | $0.68<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grain - Spaghetti - Barilla Pasta (1 lb box)<\/td> | $1.25<\/td> | 1600<\/td> | $0.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Legumes - JIF extra Crunchy Peanut butter (18 oz)<\/td> | $3.79<\/td> | 4160<\/td> | $0.91<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Mayonnaise - Hellman's Real (30 oz jar)<\/td> | $4.99<\/td> | 5400<\/td> | $0.92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Cookies - Oreo (15.5 oz)<\/td> | $3.00<\/td> | 2240<\/td> | $1.33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Grain - Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers (1 pound)<\/td> | 2.50<\/td> | 1800<\/td> | $1.38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Candy - Kraft Marshmallows (10 oz bag)<\/td> | $1.25<\/td> | 900<\/td> | $1.38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Potato - Russet (5 lb bag) \r\n[guess on #\/bag]<\/td> | $2.99<\/td> | 2000<\/td> | $1.49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Syrup - Aunt Jemima (24 oz bottle)<\/td> | $3.79<\/td> | 2520<\/td> | $1.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Land O Lakes Butter (1 lb)<\/td> | $5.09<\/td> | 3200<\/td> | $1.59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Macaroni - Kraft Original (7.25 oz box)<\/td> | $1.25<\/td> | 780<\/td> | $1.60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Kelloggs Corn Flakes (24 oz box)<\/td> | $4.39<\/td> | 2400<\/td> | $1.82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Milk - 4% Hood (Gal)<\/td> | $4.69<\/td> | 2400<\/td> | $1.95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit - Banana<\/td> | $0.25<\/td> | 120<\/td> | $2.08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Bread - Wonder Bread Classic (20 oz)<\/td> | $2.99<\/td> | 1400<\/td> | $2.13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Coca Cola - 2 liter<\/td> | $1.79<\/td> | 800<\/td> | $2.23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Milk - 2% Hood (Gal) <\/td> | $4.69<\/td> | 2080<\/td> | $2.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Snacks - Pretzels - Hanover Sourdough (13.5 oz box)<\/td> | $3.29<\/td> | 1400<\/td> | $2.35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch -Cereal - Kellogg's Frosted Flakes (14 oz)<\/td> | $3.99<\/td> | 1680<\/td> | $2.37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Snacks - Lay's Wavy Potatoe Chips (10 oz)<\/td> | $4.29<\/td> | 1760<\/td> | $2.43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg Apple Sauce - Motts (48 oz jar)<\/td> | $2.99<\/td> | 1210<\/td> | $2.47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Candy - Hershey's Chocolate Bar (4.4 oz)<\/td> | $1.50<\/td> | 600<\/td> | $2.50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Milk - 1% Hood (Gal)<\/td> | $4.69<\/td> | 1760<\/td> | $2.66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Gelatin - Jello (3 oz box)<\/td> | $0.89<\/td> | 320<\/td> | $2.78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Cheese - Kraft \"Process\" American (16 oz - 24 ct)<\/td> | $4.19<\/td> | 1440<\/td> | $2.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Ground Beef - 80% lean (1 lb)<\/td> | $3.49<\/td> | 1152<\/td> | $3.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Eggs - Grade A Large (S&S) dozen<\/td> | $2.69<\/td> | 840<\/td> | $3.20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream (1.5 Qt)<\/td> | $5.29<\/td> | 1560<\/td> | $3.39<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Cheese - Cabot (VT) Extra Sharp White (8 oz)<\/td> | $3.00<\/td> | 880<\/td> | $3.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Legumes - Blue Diamond Almonds (6 oz)<\/td> | $3.00<\/td> | 840<\/td> | $3.57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Milk - fat free Hood (Gal)<\/td> | $4.69<\/td> | 1280<\/td> | $3.66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Starch - Macaroni - Stouffer's Frozen (12 oz<\/td> | $2.50<\/td> | 680<\/td> | $3.67<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Apple Juice - Apple & Eve 100%<\/td> | $3.29<\/td> | 880<\/td> | $3.73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Juice - Welch's 100% grape juice (64 oz bottle)<\/td> | $4.19<\/td> | 1120<\/td> | $3.74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Orange Juice - Minute Maid Frozen 12 oz<\/td> | $2.49<\/td> | 660<\/td> | $3.77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Sugar - Florida's Natural fresh Orange Juice - no pulp (59 oz)<\/td> | $3.00<\/td> | 770<\/td> | $3.89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Bacon - S&S Hickory smoked (1 lb)<\/td> | $3.33<\/td> | 810<\/td> | $4.11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Soup - Campbell's Tomato Condensed<\/td> | $1.00<\/td> | 225<\/td> | $4.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Apple Sauce - Motts Original (24 oz - 6 ct)<\/td> | $2.69<\/td> | 600<\/td> | $4.48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Fish Sticks - Gorton (11.4 oz)<\/td> | $3.99<\/td> | 780<\/td> | $5.11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Fresh Boneless Pork loin (1 lb)<\/td> | $5.69<\/td> | 956<\/td> | $5.96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fat - Mayonnaise - Kraft Miracle Whip [not Mayonnaise] (15 oz)<\/td> | $3.69<\/td> | 600<\/td> | $6.15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Legumes - Peas - Del Monte Sweet (15 oz can)<\/td> | $1.35<\/td> | 210<\/td> | $6.42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Spaghetti Sauce - Prego<\/td> | $2.59<\/td> | 400<\/td> | $6.47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Ground Beef Patties - 90% lean (1 lb)<\/td> | $5.89<\/td> | 800<\/td> | $7.36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Purdue Boneless Chicken Breasts (1 lb)<\/td> | $3.99<\/td> | 480<\/td> | $8.31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Soup - Campbell's Chunky Beer w veg (18.8 oz can)<\/td> | $2.29<\/td> | 260<\/td> | $8.80<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Apple Sauce - Motts No Sugar (23.4 oz - 6 ct)<\/td> | $2.69<\/td> | 300<\/td> | $8.96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Carrots - Del Monte (14.5 oz can)<\/td> | $1.35<\/td> | 122.5<\/td> | $11.02<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - Bacon - Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked (2.1 oz)<\/td> | $3.79<\/td> | 280<\/td> | $13.53<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Protein - S&S Sliced Turkey Breast (1 lb)<\/td> | $7.99<\/td> | 560<\/td> | $14.26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Apple Sauce - WoodStock Farms Organic<\/td> | $4.49<\/td> | 300<\/td> | $14.96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Del Monte Green Beens (14.5 oz can)<\/td> | $1.35<\/td> | 70<\/td> | $19.28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
| Fruit\/Veg - Vlasic whole Dill Pickles - 1 lb jar <\/td> | $2.75<\/td> | 55<\/td> | $50.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n I’m not sure where (if anywhere) I’m going with this.\u00a0\u00a0 I sense we are in for massive inflation in food prices in the near future, and I’m at least putting a stake in the ground to not rely solely on our memories – food companies constantly change package sizes to make it hard to remember what things cost in the past.<\/p>\n Please give me a few items you would like to see added so it is an apple to apple comparison.\u00a0\u00a0 These are regular prices, not items on sale.\u00a0 “Fresh” foods are hard to deal with since they tend to not be standardized sizes and vary widely based on the season.\u00a0\u00a0 While store brands and local brands usually are cheaper, they aren’t a good basis for comparing nationally.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, the prices are high.\u00a0 I’m in Connecticut.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Time for plain talk. Nutritious foods are important for good health, calories are necessary for survival.\u00a0\u00a0 With all the “right wing” radio shows pitching “gourmet” survival foods, let’s talk about the reality of their doomsday scenario. The fundamental rule of … Continue reading |