How to eat more protein if you don't like meat or can't afford it very often

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jessicadb2
jessicadb2 Posts: 57 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I would like to eat more protein but am finding it hard to afford meat on a regular basis. I also don't really like chicken breast or other lean meats. I do like ground lean turkey or beef but it is about 4.00 a lb for my family that is quite expensive. Oh, I also love salmon. Any meat substitutes or other animal products that will help with protein needs on a budget? I went to the scooby workshop and put in my nutritional requirements and got a eating plan but 6 oz of chicken 4 times or more a day sounds terrible to me and it would be so expensive! What do you think?

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Replies

  • karen_fitzgibbon
    karen_fitzgibbon Posts: 736 Member
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    http://stronglifts.com/build-muscle-on-a-budget-the-10-cheapest-sources-of-protein/

    Google is awesome
  • zoezoekende
    zoezoekende Posts: 27 Member
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    karen_fitzgibbon wrote: »
    http://stronglifts.com/build-muscle-on-a-budget-the-10-cheapest-sources-of-protein/

    Google is awesome


    Thanks Karen ;)

  • Hopefullylost
    Hopefullylost Posts: 1 Member
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    I eat a lot of dry cottage cheese, the kind that's just curds with no moisture. I don't like it on its own, but it's good mixed into things. My favourite (which I had for dinner tonight) is ground beef tacos with cottage cheese instead of shredded nacho cheese. It's a quarter of the calories compared to the light shredded cheese I used to get, I use about 60 grams of cheese per 100 grams of meat. It helps bulk it out so you need less meat. I also put it in salads.
  • karen_fitzgibbon
    karen_fitzgibbon Posts: 736 Member
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    Just google high protein foods on a tight budget. :smiley:
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    Chicken thighs are cheap and fit into any low calorie plan.
    Also consider these dishes: lentil & kale soup, black bean chili, omelets, tacos or enchiladas, rice with black beans, chic pea curry, mac and cheese, quinoa burgers, baked potatoes stuffed with turkey and cheddar.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,426 Member
    edited April 2015
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    A couple of helpful lists-
    bodybuilding.com/fun/ultimate-list-40-high-protein-foods.html

    blog.orobind.com/top-50-veg-and-non-veg-foods-highest-in-protein/

  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,521 Member
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    Buy beans in bulk; organic tofu is $1.99/lb at BJs
  • Pelamblue
    Pelamblue Posts: 177 Member
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    Eggs eggs and more eggs. Cheap, easy, fast food full of protein. If your worried about the calories then use less yolks, but the yolks are rich in nutrients and I never discard them
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,521 Member
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    You can also make your own Greek yogurt...you can google it.
  • kramrn77
    kramrn77 Posts: 375 Member
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    Check out the frozen bulk meats. They are generally much cheaper then fresh. Also, keep a close watch on sales and buy large amounts and freeze what you don't use. Get a deep freeze if you can afford it or have a spot for it.
  • Michael190lbs
    Michael190lbs Posts: 1,510 Member
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    I buy 2lb bags of shrimp for $18.00 at Marks and get eight- four ounce servings throw in two cans of tuna and two protein shakes makes for a great protein based diet.
  • Laurend224
    Laurend224 Posts: 1,748 Member
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    Dried beans, lentils, split peas, tofu, dairy, eggs (are eggs still cheap?). Buy some vital wheat gluten and make your own seitan.... google high protein vegan meals.
    [/list]
  • KLouHerout
    KLouHerout Posts: 10 Member
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    Beans are my favorite food. They're a nutrition powerhouse and are delicious and filling. They are carb heavy, but definitely worth it in my opinion. Dried there incredibly cheap but canned they're still pretty cheap and so easy. I add them to salads a lot but they're great on their own too.
  • allaboutthecake
    allaboutthecake Posts: 1,531 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Protein powder is also great. I like Cinnebun flabored Trutein & mix it in my pancakes & also make power smoothies w/kale, Fage 0 yogurt, fruit, banana. As for drinking a straight protein shake you can do that too. And since most kids don't like protein shakes, it will be cheaper on your budget since you don't have to share. :) lol
  • Sophiasmomma
    Sophiasmomma Posts: 155 Member
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    Pelamblue wrote: »
    Eggs eggs and more eggs. Cheap, easy, fast food full of protein. If your worried about the calories then use less yolks, but the yolks are rich in nutrients and I never discard them

    I eat alot of eggs. Also u can invest in cheap protein powder and make shakes? I know some protein bars that taste like candy are only 1.00 a bar or less if you buy in bulk and habe lots of protein in them.
    greek yogurt is good also

  • Pelamblue
    Pelamblue Posts: 177 Member
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    Sophiasmomma wrote: »
    Pelamblue wrote: »
    Eggs eggs and more eggs. Cheap, easy, fast food full of protein. If your worried about the calories then use less yolks, but the yolks are rich in nutrients and I never discard them

    I eat alot of eggs. Also u can invest in cheap protein powder and make shakes? I know some protein bars that taste like candy are only 1.00 a bar or less if you buy in bulk and habe lots of protein in them.
    greek yogurt is good also

    You can certainly mix protein powder with all sorts. My favourite is with a banana, porridge oats, blueberries, and Greek yogurt.
    The protein bars are good but i use them as a ' *kitten* I forgot my Pro Powder' or as a
    'NEED SUGAR!! '
    Myprotien.com has lots of good protein at good prices
  • Pelamblue
    Pelamblue Posts: 177 Member
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    allaboutthecake wrote: »
    Protein powder is also great. I like Cinnebun flabored Trutein & mix it in my pancakes & also make power smoothies w/kale, Fage 0 yogurt, fruit, banana. As for drinking a straight protein shake you can do that too. And since most kids don't like protein shakes, it will be cheaper on your budget since you don't have to share. :) lol

    Not sure what 'cinnebun flabored trutein ' is but can hazard a guess ha ha, sounds awesome.
    I have the exact same power smoothie as you bit also add in some milled linseed
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
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    Yes there are many non-animal proteins and they tend to be much cheaper. I like to mix animal proteins with plant (like 3 bean chili) to boost protein. I also use an unflavored whey protein powder which can be used to boost protein in many different dishes since it has no strong flavor on its own.
  • mpat81
    mpat81 Posts: 351 Member
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    Second the beans and eggs! Cheap, versatile and very healthy! Buy meat on sale and freeze it. if you get a good deal on ground beef or turkey, freeze raw or cook a bunch up and freeze it in individual portions. Then take it out for tacos, casseroles or whatever. There are usually lots of sales on ground meat around the "cookout" holidays- memorial day, July 4th and labor day.
  • angielisa75
    angielisa75 Posts: 46 Member
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    quinoa

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