Need tips for low budget protein

Posts: 88 Member
edited January 10 in Food and Nutrition
Hey guys,

I am doing a 40/40/20 macro split on a 1900 calorie diet. I am having a hard time hitting the proteins diet to even get to 200g per day.

I have a low budget and I can't afford doing 3-4 scoops of whey per day (around 35g per scoop). any tips on getting cheap protein? Just protein and minimum everything else please. (i dont want to resort to chugging cottage cheese)

thanks

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Replies

  • Posts: 89 Member
    Tuna, egg whites, chicken breast, lentils?
  • Posts: 34,458 Member
    Yogurt, cottage cheese, any-meat-on-sale, eggs.
  • Posts: 1,956 Member
    You could try a less expensive protein shake mix - Walmart has one for $20. I cannot recall the brand name, but make sure the first ingredient is whey protein isolate and that will be the right one.
  • Posts: 587 Member
    Chinese style tofu, it's better than you think.
  • Posts: 31 Member
    Chinese style tofu, it's better than you think.


    Yes! Use it in a fruit smoothie.
  • Posts: 88 Member
    Chinese style tofu, it's better than you think.

    damn i am chinese i dont even know that :D will try tho, those are easy to get and cheap
  • Posts: 242 Member
    Whole milk
    tinned tuna
    game (venison, bison, elk) if you hunt or have that cheaply available.
    greek yogurt
    chicken
    egg whites

    Edit: went to the kitchen to peek around

    turkey bacon
    black beans
    pork loin
    deli sliced cajun chicken
    some types of cheese
  • Posts: 1,122 Member
    Bro...chicken breasts..flattened out and made into delicious little steaks, or boiled and cut into little cubes and put in a salad. I have the Cheap tub of protein from Walmart...body fortress...honestly, it makes no difference in building muscle. I'd rather eat chicken.
  • Posts: 141 Member
    That sounds like a cut split. Are you cutting after a bulk or plan on cutting first and then bulking and cutting again?
  • Posts: 103 Member
    You could try a less expensive protein shake mix - Walmart has one for $20. I cannot recall the brand name, but make sure the first ingredient is whey protein isolate and that will be the right one.

    Body Fortress.
  • Posts: 88 Member
    That sounds like a cut split. Are you cutting after a bulk or plan on cutting first and then bulking and cutting again?

    cut ->10% bodyfat then i will go from there.
  • Posts: 88 Member

    Body Fortress.

    aight i will check it out. does that have 80%+ protein per serving tho
  • Posts: 1,128 Member
    I think per serving body fortress loses out to any protein you can buy in bulk (5lb+) but I could be wrong (I haven't really done the math, I switched from it cause it tasted like ****).

    Other cheap alternatives include Chicken Thigh (considerably cheaper than breast), Tuna and Lunch Meats. BUY IN BULK! It makes everything considerably cheaper.
  • Posts: 1,205 Member
    You could try a less expensive protein shake mix - Walmart has one for $20. I cannot recall the brand name, but make sure the first ingredient is whey protein isolate and that will be the right one.

    I payed $16 today for Body Fortress at Walmart.
  • Posts: 1,687 Member
    Skim milk powder. Add it to protein powder shakes, mashed potato, milk, cookie dough, Mac and cheese, you get the idea. It can add up and it's cheaper than other protein supplements.
  • Posts: 63 Member
    Wal-Mart sells Body Fortress whey protein powder-26 grams of protein in 1 scoop. I love this! They have several flavors but not all wal-marts carry each flavor. My favs are the Cookies and Cream and also Peanut Butter Chocolate. It's $14.99 for the big tub. I had weight loss surgery so part of my plan is daily is shakes, sometimes more than once a day. I couldn't and would never go to a place like GNC or Vitamin Shoppe, etc and pay 60+ bucks for a tub of protein, just cant do it! I needed a good tasting powder that didn't taste "whey-ish" and this brand tastes soooo good with no after taste to me. It's like a true dessert. I use their plain vanilla and chocolate flavors to make different types of protein treats also, like oatmeal cookies, banana pancakes, muffins, etc.
  • Posts: 63 Member
    Also, my local Aldi's in Maryland/DC area sale their FAGE 0% Plain greek yogurt cartons for around $3.50 or so. There is 23grams of protein in 1 cup of their yogurt. (Any other grocery store will carry it too but may be a few cents more) Still a great/cheap protein option. Aldi's also sells their big bags of individually sealed tilapia fillets for around $6-7 bucks and each filet is 4oz with 20 grams of protein.
  • Posts: 1,941 Member
    Tinned tuna, eggs, frozen fish fillets bought in bulk, frozen chicken breast bought in bulk, tofu, almond milk?
  • Posts: 1,941 Member
    And RE: Tofu, you can make an AMAZING cheesecake/smooth deserts with tofu, I found a lot of vegan dessert recipes called for tofu blended with dark chocolate/milk to make a lot of lovely puddings... Would probably make an awesome thick shake too.
  • Posts: 244 Member
    egg beaters, whey isolate at wal-mart & zero carb Isopure.
  • Broccoli is low in calories, high in potassium and protein.
  • Posts: 2,154 Member
    Tuna is cheap and easy, but high in sodium if you have to worry about that. 39 g for a $1.65 pouch @ wal mart. It is also calorie efficient. Only 180 cals.
  • Posts: 7,490 Member
    chicken, tuna, eggs, fish...

    if you are on a serious budget i'd think you'd get more bang for your buck buying real food for protein than trying to get it in with supplements/bars/powders/etc.
  • Posts: 279 Member
    Beans, beans, the magical fruit! LOL
  • Posts: 88 Member
    Beans, beans, the magical fruit! LOL

    dont want to fart all day lol
  • Posts: 1,946 Member
    Hey guys,

    I am doing a 40/40/20 macro split on a 1900 calorie diet. I am having a hard time hitting the proteins diet to even get to 200g per day.

    I have a low budget and I can't afford doing 3-4 scoops of whey per day (around 35g per scoop). any tips on getting cheap protein? Just protein and minimum everything else please. (i dont want to resort to chugging cottage cheese)

    thanks

    Chicken breast, whole eggs, tuna fish, cottage cheese, ground beef, lentil beans
  • Posts: 431 Member
    You can make your own greek yogurt. All you need is a crockpot and something to strain it (bowl, colander, cheesecloth or tight-woven dishtowel). Cheap cause you only pay for the milk and a starter yogurt and get about 8 cups of greek yogurt out of 2 quarts of milk.
    Or you can buy regular plain yogurt and strain it to get greek yogurt. Higher protein for the same calorie count.
  • Posts: 587 Member


    Yes! Use it in a fruit smoothie.

    I think Japanese style is a better texture for smoothies and mixes.
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