It's important when talking about the cost of foods to consider how much of
what you pay for food is hidden in your income tax and other taxes
including the invisible taxes of that government regulations create by
driving up prices.  Much of the food we consider "cheap" is only "cheap"
because the government is turning our tax money over to farmers or
enforcing regulations that make cattle-ranching prohibitively expensive but
farming relatively cheap.  This is something that's been going on for more
than a century, starting with the epic battles between cattle producers and
farmers over who got to make use of public lands--the farmers won, but only
because the politicians took their side, allowing them to plow over
millions of acres of land that were once used for free-range meats.

From a consumer perspective it's possible to eat a high-protein,
fat-generous, relatively-low-carbohydrate diet without spending a whole of
money.  If your health is significantly improved by such a diet, you'll
also be saving in other areas, such as in the medical bills you won't have
to pay.

I know that on a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet full of beans and rice and
such, my health is worse and I generally feel like crap.  As such I'm
willing to spend somewhat more on my food.  Although as I say, if you're
smart it's not all -that- much more.