Original research

We priced the groceries and menus. You get the spreadsheet.

These aren't recycled lists wearing a lab coat. Grocery nutrition generally comes from USDA FoodData Central, and restaurant rows use chain-published nutrition. Three published datasets carry the same recorded TVP product-label value; USDA publishes no textured vegetable protein record, so that row cites the manufacturer's own label and says so. DIAAS adjustments cite row-level literature or the FAO 2013 report. We publish the CSV and show the math. Sometimes the result is useful. Sometimes bacon owes everyone an apology.

The two grocery rankings underneath the rest of this page are 53 foods ranked by fiber per dollar and 49 foods ranked by protein per dollar. The other four studies below them are priced cuts of that same snapshot. The beans ranking that adds both scores leads with split peas at 144.9 combined grams. The animal cut of that protein table leads with drumsticks at 50.3g per dollar. The fiber-day card prices 30 grams of fiber at $0.62 vs $14.42.

Breakfast staples add those two scores: flour 173.8g Combined vs oats 82.4g. Eggs sit further down the protein list: flour 96.0g vs eggs 34.4g.

See the current food cost statistics