[triceratops]

> Just a drive-by comment on what foods humans can (easily) do without, nutritionally.

And I'm telling you that economically, not to mention thermodynamically, you're completely wrong.

50% of all calories all humans consume come from wheat, rice, and maize. Add in tubers and that rises to 90%. If you* want to do without something, then beef is the only rational choice. There are many, many cheaper nutritional substitutes for beef. Such substitutes don't exist for rice or corn.

* not "you" specifically, you may be able to afford a 100% beef diet. But it's literally impossible for everyone to swing it.