Real Cost of Food

an itemized look at what your groceries actually buy you

protein

Beef Roasts cost $9.37/lb

priced and measured per 100g

Current price (per lb) $9.37

as of 2026-08 · U.S. city average · source: BLS

What that price actually buys you

Protein per dollar 10.01 g
Calories per dollar 67

Nutrition per 100g

Calories 139 kcal
Protein 20.67 g
Total Fat 6.21 g
Saturated Fat 2.354 g
Trans Fat 0.233 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.299 g
ALA (omega-3) 0.01 g
Monounsaturated Fat 2.938 g
Total Carbohydrate 0 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Total Sugars 0 g
Full nutrient profile (23 more)
Iron 2.18 mg · 1.06 mg/$
Zinc 8.25 mg · 3.99 mg/$
Vitamin B12 2.91 µg · 1.41 µg/$
Folate 3 µg · 1.45 µg/$
Calcium 17 mg · 8.23 mg/$
Potassium 332 mg · 160.75 mg/$
Magnesium 21 mg · 10.17 mg/$
Vitamin A 2 µg RAE · 0.97 µg RAE/$
Vitamin D 0.1 µg · 0.05 µg/$
Vitamin E 0.23 mg · 0.11 mg/$
Vitamin K 1.5 µg · 0.73 µg/$
Thiamin (B1) 0.06 mg · 0.03 mg/$
Riboflavin (B2) 0.157 mg · 0.08 mg/$
Niacin (B3) 4.593 mg · 2.22 mg/$
Vitamin B6 0.383 mg · 0.19 mg/$
Pantothenic Acid (B5) 0.59 mg · 0.29 mg/$
Phosphorus 201 mg · 97.32 mg/$
Selenium 21.8 µg · 10.56 µg/$
Copper 0.063 mg · 0.03 mg/$
Manganese 0.011 mg · 0.01 mg/$
Choline 68.7 mg · 33.26 mg/$
Sodium 85 mg
Cholesterol 67 mg

nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169566)

Beyond the price tag

Water use high
Storage life short

Cattle-producing states (TX, NE, KS, OK); broad series covering all roast cuts

source: