cheap protein foods

Bellusion
Bellusion Posts: 23
in Food and Nutrition
About to walk to the grocery store, can someone tell me some high protein foods that are cheap? I really don't have a lot of money in my food budget (most of it is eaten up by fresh veggies) and I have a hard time hitting my protein macro every day (need around 119 going by the 1 per lbm). Thanks!
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Replies

  • rmdaly
    rmdaly Posts: 250 Member
    Beans, yogurt, milk, cheeses, peanut butter.
  • ashleyisgreat
    ashleyisgreat Posts: 586 Member
    Greek yogurt has around 12g of protein and around here they run for about $1 each. That's not super cheap, especially if you buy lots of them at once, but it's quite a bit of protein in a single serving.
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    Tuna, chicken, eggs
  • _Calypso_
    _Calypso_ Posts: 1,074 Member
    Cans of Tuna, chicken or salmon
    Greek yogurt
    String cheese
    Edamame
    Protein powder
  • sirabbadon
    sirabbadon Posts: 27 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.
  • MerlinWilliams
    MerlinWilliams Posts: 92 Member
    Eggs!

    We buy ours at a farmers market, and it works out to roughly 20 cents per egg. Great source of protein and healthy fats!
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    I like you.
  • stetienne
    stetienne Posts: 560 Member
    Tuna and string cheese
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    Canned tuna or chicken
  • rabblerabble
    rabblerabble Posts: 471 Member
    Cottage cheese and Greek Yogurt (especially the nonfat variety). Cheap and easy. Eggs also high in protein for the cost.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Eggs,
    egg whites,
    protein powder is cheap/serving,
    Milk,
    Can of Tuna,
    Canned meat,
    Yogurt,
  • strongestgirl10
    strongestgirl10 Posts: 26 Member
    almonds or any sort of nuts.
  • rungurl3
    rungurl3 Posts: 106 Member
    Greek yogurt has around 12g of protein and around here they run for about $1 each. That's not super cheap, especially if you buy lots of them at once, but it's quite a bit of protein in a single serving.

    Aldi's has their own brand, equal to OIKOS, that costs, like 67 cents a cup. Delicious and cheap!
  • trottz16
    trottz16 Posts: 2
    Protein powder from online sites, they work out to be the most cost effective. 5 lbs can last you a few months and you can get it online for roughly $50.

    Use it as your breakfast and replace what you're having now, the middle range stuff will give you 50g of Protein in 2 scoops! It's works out to be roughly 30 cents a day for a shake when you mix it with water. For a little extra taste go 1/2 water 1/2 skim milk and you'll get some extra calcium and a bit of protein there as well.

    Other foods might be inexpensive in small batches compared to $50 once, but you'll spend way less on the Whey proteins over the long run.
  • rungurl3
    rungurl3 Posts: 106 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    BUUUT... soooo much fat and sodium, and CALORIES!

    I know, mood-killah!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    BUUUT... soooo much fat and sodium, and CALORIES!

    I know, mood-killah!

    Then don't eat the bun, you will remove some cals (carbs) and sodium.
  • czgarcia
    czgarcia Posts: 1
    I'm with the others on eggs, yogurt, nuts, cheese and tuna. Cheese can get pricey and yogurt is if you buy the individual containers. I buy the 32oz size and serve myself from that and it works out much cheaper. I have chickens, so eggs are not an issue for me :) Find tuna on sale or try one of the big discount places. Good luck!
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    chicken. I don't know how much it is there but here it's only $1.77/pound. I get like 6 pounds for $10-$11.

    also greek yogurt and cottage cheese and eggs...
  • biggsterjackster
    biggsterjackster Posts: 419 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3

    How much does a gallon milk cost in Canada? Just curious, cause I am going on vacation there. LOL, I know it is illegal, to smuggle dairy products over the border.
  • Bellusion
    Bellusion Posts: 23
    I wish chicken was $1.77/lb here! It goes on sale about once a month for $1.99/lb and I do stock up when it does.

    Thanks all! Got some great ideas. We have about $100/week for a family of 4 (including the youngest's diapers).. which is more than some people but still doesn't go very far.
  • sirabbadon
    sirabbadon Posts: 27 Member
    I'm doing a ketogenic thing right now, so the low carb, high fat thing works well for me, especially when I'm travelling. I don't pay attention to my sodium, so can't speak to that. And the calories aren't too bad for just the one burger, which is 25g of protein for $1, 440 total cal (including bun). And you can make it much better by ditching the bun as mentioned by erickirb.

    Fat isn't a bad thing, as long as it works for your macro goals. For me, it hits the spot.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3

    How much does a gallon milk cost in Canada? Just curious, cause I am going on vacation there. LOL, I know it is illegal, to smuggle dairy products over the border.

    way too much. in my province, depending on store $5.49 to $6.29, though our dollar is now trading at 10% below the US, so to convert - 10% $4.95 to $5.70 US.
  • bachakil
    bachakil Posts: 1
    Salmón is not cheap... But it's soooo good and quick to make... Also, egg whites and Greek yogurt are great but not cheap... I guess foods that are healthy, cheap and high in protein are pretty much tuna, chicken, yogurt, beans and eggs.
  • nicor44
    nicor44 Posts: 26 Member
    Dried beans and lentils are inexpensive and are good sources of protein.
  • biggsterjackster
    biggsterjackster Posts: 419 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3

    How much does a gallon milk cost in Canada? Just curious, cause I am going on vacation there. LOL, I know it is illegal, to smuggle dairy products over the border.

    way too much. in my province, depending on store $5.49 to $6.29, though our dollar is now trading at 10% below the US, so to convert - 10% $4.95 to $5.70 US.

    Thanks. Wow, that's going to be an expensive vacation.
  • Greytfish
    Greytfish Posts: 810
    I wish chicken was $1.77/lb here! It goes on sale about once a month for $1.99/lb and I do stock up when it does.

    Thanks all! Got some great ideas. We have about $100/week for a family of 4 (including the youngest's diapers).. which is more than some people but still doesn't go very far.

    Stock up when meat or fish are on sale, portion into smaller packs, and freeze.

    Oh, and try puched salmon rather than tuna. A woman in her childbearing years should not exceed two 2.5 oz. portions of tuna per week.
  • elsyoommen
    elsyoommen Posts: 155 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3

    How much does a gallon milk cost in Canada? Just curious, cause I am going on vacation there. LOL, I know it is illegal, to smuggle dairy products over the border.

    way too much. in my province, depending on store $5.49 to $6.29, though our dollar is now trading at 10% below the US, so to convert - 10% $4.95 to $5.70 US.

    Thanks. Wow, that's going to be an expensive vacation.

    I think it depends on where you are going in Canada. In Ottawa and Toronto you can often get 4 litres for under $4.00 I don't know how that compares to a gallon.

    (if you care about such things) regular milk in Canada is not allowed to contain antibiotics or growth hormones which is different from the U.S. I believe. My siblings who live in the U.S. buy organic milk when they are home in the U.S. and they buy regular milk when they are in Canada.

    Edited to add: I think your math is wrong. The Canadian dollar is trading below the U.S. dollar therefore $4.95 Canadian would be less than that in U.S. dollars not more. I think that would be somewhere around 4.43 US (assuming that Canadian dollar is .90 us).
  • lyoder1
    lyoder1 Posts: 6
    I'm on a pretty tight budget as well, so I always try to find my protein sources when they're on sale.. But here are some of my ideas (which most everyone else uses too): Peanut butter (or any nuts), beans, chickpeas, cottage cheese, canned tuna, and eggs... I love to drain/rinse the chickpeas and toss them w/ a little bit of olive oil and spices, throw them in the oven to crisp them up, and then eat them as a snack! Good luck!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    McDonald's double cheese burger. Or better yet... the meat from one double cheese burger (throw out the bun) and insert said meat into another double cheese burger.

    I call it the McDonald's quadruple cheeseburger. ~50g protein for $2.

    This makes me sad, as this in Canada would be more like $3

    How much does a gallon milk cost in Canada? Just curious, cause I am going on vacation there. LOL, I know it is illegal, to smuggle dairy products over the border.

    way too much. in my province, depending on store $5.49 to $6.29, though our dollar is now trading at 10% below the US, so to convert - 10% $4.95 to $5.70 US.

    Thanks. Wow, that's going to be an expensive vacation.

    I think it depends on where you are going in Canada. In Ottawa and Toronto you can often get 4 litres for under $4.00 I don't know how that compares to a gallon.

    (if you care about such things) regular milk in Canada is not allowed to contain antibiotics or growth hormones which is different from the U.S. I believe. My siblings who live in the U.S. buy organic milk when they are home in the U.S. and they buy regular milk when they are in Canada.

    Edited to add: I think your math is wrong. The Canadian dollar is trading below the U.S. dollar therefore $4.95 Canadian would be less than that in U.S. dollars not more. I think that would be somewhere around 4.43 US (assuming that Canadian dollar is .90 us).

    Math is right, if I pay 5.49, 10% less would be about 55 cents to $4.94US, not sure where you think the math went wrong, and the $6.29 at some stores would be $5.61US, that said these are 4L which is about 3% more volume than a gallon (3.88541148 Litres/gallon)

    You must be reading my info wrong. I was saying milk ranges from 5.49 to 6.29 Canadian $ per 4L, so in US that would be 4.94 to 5.61, depending on which store you go to.

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