food cost comparison
Food cost comparison spreadsheet containing prices, calorie counts, and cost per 100 calories for various food items from different stores such as Costco, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, and more. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to help users compare the cost-effectiveness of purchasing different food items from different retailers based on their nutritional value.
Content article
Dozens of food items are compared here on price and caloric value, highlighting a variety of products from different stores.
In the first segment, Costco offers a 20 kg bag of flour for $13.79, which provides a substantial 72,800 kcal, resulting in a cost of approximately $0.019 per 100 kcal. Similarly, 20 kg of sugar from Costco is priced at $20.19, yielding 80,000 kcal, translating to $0.025 per 100 kcal. In contrast, Tim Hortons' Old Fashioned Glazed Donut costs $1.01 for 320 kcal, making it significantly pricier at $0.315 per 100 kcal. Other items from Tim Hortons include the Banana Nut Muffin at $1.29 for 390 kcal ($0.330 per 100 kcal) and the Apple Fritter Donut, also at $1.01 but with 300 kcal, costing $0.336 per 100 kcal.
Costco's offerings continue with a 3.6 kg bag of popcorn priced at $8.99, providing 13,500 kcal at $0.067 per 100 kcal. For dairy products, a 1L container of whipping cream is available for $3.15, delivering 3,333 kcal at $0.095 per 100 kcal. Comparatively, McDonald's Large Chocolate Milkshake costs $4.36 for 1,160 kcal, which results in $0.376 per 100 kcal.
Among various snacks, a 325g pack of dry roasted peanuts from No Frills is priced at $2.00, offering 2,015 kcal at a cost of $0.099 per 100 kcal. Costco's 2 kg Kraft peanut butter is available for $6.35, providing 6,000 kcal at $0.106 per 100 kcal, while Tim Hortons' Boston Cream Donut costs $1.01 for 250 kcal, equating to $0.403 per 100 kcal.
Fresh produce is also included in this comparison, with Young Brothers selling 454g of yam for $0.59, which contains 536 kcal at $0.110 per 100 kcal. In contrast, a 454g russet potato from the same store costs $0.49 and provides 440 kcal, resulting in $0.111 per 100 kcal. The 454g butter from Costco is priced at $3.64, offering 3,255 kcal at $0.112 per 100 kcal, while McDonald's Large French Fries are $2.68 for 560 kcal, costing $0.479 per 100 kcal.
Further down the list, Costco's 2 kg raisins are priced at $7.49 and provide 6,000 kcal at $0.125 per 100 kcal. The 1.36 kg of almonds from Costco costs $9.89 and yields 7,888 kcal, also at $0.125 per 100 kcal. In contrast, Tim Hortons' Plain Bagel costs $1.29 for 260 kcal, which is $0.495 per 100 kcal.
The comparison extends to various dairy and cream products, with Choices offering a 500ml regular Avalon cream for $3.19, which provides 1,620 kcal at $0.197 per 100 kcal. In contrast, a 1L container of strawberry jam from Costco costs $5.99 and contains 3,000 kcal, resulting in $0.200 per 100 kcal.
In the realm of oils and spreads, Choices sells a 908g coconut oil for $16.99, providing 7,783 kcal at $0.218 per 100 kcal, while a 1L whipping cream from Costco is slightly cheaper at $4.00 for 3,333 kcal, costing $0.120 per 100 kcal.
As for nuts, 907g of pecans from Costco is priced at $14.99, delivering 6,530 kcal at $0.230 per 100 kcal. In comparison, a 680g pack of dry roasted macadamia nuts from Costco is available for $17.91, offering 5,343 kcal at $0.335 per 100 kcal.
The analysis also includes various cheeses, with Costco's 450g Emmentaler priced at $8.99, providing 1,800 kcal at $0.499 per 100 kcal. Choices offers a 250g Liberty cream cheese for $4.89, yielding 667 kcal at $0.734 per 100 kcal.
Finally, in the meat category, 1 lb of ground beef from Whole Foods is priced at $7.99, providing 622 kcal, which results in $1.285 per 100 kcal, while 907g of wild cod filets from Costco costs $15.49 and offers 747 kcal at $2.074 per 100 kcal.
This extensive food cost comparison reveals a wide range of prices and caloric values, helping consumers make informed choices based on their dietary needs and budget.