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Cheap protein

NewMeowLean
NewMeowLean Posts: 58
edited March 6 in Food and Nutrition
Hello. I know there are a thousand posts about that, but this is so important one more can't hurt.

So what are good sources of protein that are also affordable?

For now I go with eggs, canned tuna, chicken breast, cheese, milk, yoghourt. Is there a restriction on how much canned tuna you can eat (mercury)? What about eggs (cholesterol)?

I also have red lentils and I am contemplating buying tofu. Are those good sources of protein? What do you vegans out there eat (for protein)?

Replies

  • 89nunu
    89nunu Posts: 1,082 Member
    edited October 2014
    homemade seitan! You get a massive bag of gluten for super cheap and making it i easy as pie (just takes some time and perfecting recipes)
    Nothing wrong with the cholesterol in eggs (but you could eat mainly egg whites, also cuts out a large chunk of the calories) or buy egg whites in a carton?

    And whey powder is actually pretty cheap. If bought online and in bulk you pay very little for quite a lot of protein.

    Your profile doesn't say where you live but in the UK Quark is very easily available too and very affordable
  • BenjaminS_Fitness
    BenjaminS_Fitness Posts: 70 Member
    89nunu wrote: »
    Your profile doesn't say where you live but in the UK Quark is very easily available too and very affordable
    low fat quark (0,1%) tastes pretty bad - but not if you mix it with sugar free apple sauce (55cals/100g) and some cinnamon or some honey and fruits.
  • NewMeowLean
    NewMeowLean Posts: 58
    edited October 2014
    I live in Switzerland, the land of quark! (just kidding). I tried quark, very low calorie and high protein but I don't really like it and it ends up going bad. I tried mixing it with sugar, not much better. I will give your ideas a try. What kind of fruits?
  • NewMeowLean
    NewMeowLean Posts: 58
    I had to check what seitan was. I don't know if I will find gluten here though. Maybe an Asian store? I will definitely check it out. Whey powder is not real food ;). I would like real food. :)
  • pkw58
    pkw58 Posts: 2,038 Member
    I watch the sales pretty closely for high quality proteins - like chicken breasts, whole turkey, salmon fillets etc. If you have room in a freezer you can really stock up in bulk. I only eat tuna 1 time a week. I also look for protein bars on sale, and I like isopure protein powder. I have a costco membership so it helps get some high quality foods at reduced prices.
  • NewMeowLean
    NewMeowLean Posts: 58
    Buying in bulk is something I will definitely do once I have a bigger freezer. For now the freezer is tiny and I have to share it with my roommates. It's a shame :(.
  • blackcoffeeandcherrypie
    blackcoffeeandcherrypie Posts: 486 Member
    I really love nuts - brazil nuts, walnuts, etc. They are high in protein but not particularly cheap. I discovered that my local health shop sells broken brazil nuts for half the price of whole nuts, so this helps me save a little money on them. Eggs are probably cheapest go-to protein, and they're so versatile in what you can make.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    US gov recommendations about tuna:
    http://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm110591.htm

    If you want cheap protein eat pinto beans, black beans, chick peas, lentils, soy beans, and canned or frozen veggies like broccoli, spinach.
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