1.) Spirulina
Spirulina is 65 – 71 percent complete protein compared to beef, which is only 22 percent, and lentils, which is only 26 percent.
In addition to being protein-rich, spirulina is an excellent source of vital amino acids and minerals easily assimilated by your body. You would need to consume only two tablespoons of spirulina as a protein substitute for a meal.
Spirulina is 65 – 71 percent complete protein compared to beef, which is only 22 percent, and lentils, which is only 26 percent.
In addition to being protein-rich, spirulina is an excellent source of vital amino acids and minerals easily assimilated by your body. You would need to consume only two tablespoons of spirulina as a protein substitute for a meal.
2.) Canned Tuna
Canned Tuna is extremely cheap and a good source of protein; a staple in any tight-budgeted person’s diet. The tuna in water is cheapest but if you need to get more dietary fats into your diet, canned tuna packed in oil is a great alternative. A can of tuna, tablespoon of mayo, relish to flavor, salt and pepper and you have a cheap and easy tuna salad.
Canned Tuna is extremely cheap and a good source of protein; a staple in any tight-budgeted person’s diet. The tuna in water is cheapest but if you need to get more dietary fats into your diet, canned tuna packed in oil is a great alternative. A can of tuna, tablespoon of mayo, relish to flavor, salt and pepper and you have a cheap and easy tuna salad.
3.) Hemp
Protein Content: Seeds, 6 g per ounce; Milk, 2 g per cup
If you’re allergic to soy, or just freaked out by its estrogenic activity, hemp products are your next best bet. Sold as a dairy alternative or as seeds, hemp is one of very few plant proteins that supply you with all the essential amino acids, acids your body can’t produce on its own to build muscle and create more protein. The fatty acids in hemp seeds and hemp milk also boost your immune system, and the crop itself is highly sustainable, growing as fast as 10 feet in 100 days and naturally requiring very few pesticides.
Protein Content: Seeds, 6 g per ounce; Milk, 2 g per cup
If you’re allergic to soy, or just freaked out by its estrogenic activity, hemp products are your next best bet. Sold as a dairy alternative or as seeds, hemp is one of very few plant proteins that supply you with all the essential amino acids, acids your body can’t produce on its own to build muscle and create more protein. The fatty acids in hemp seeds and hemp milk also boost your immune system, and the crop itself is highly sustainable, growing as fast as 10 feet in 100 days and naturally requiring very few pesticides.
4.) Whey protein
Whey protein is a great source of cheap protein and has anywhere from 24 grams to 30 grams of protein per scoop. In a 5 pound tub you can get 70-75 servings and costs $45-$60 dollars. You need a variety of protein sources in a healthy diet, I would not suggest getting more than 2 scoops a day for non-athletes. Blend fruits, milk or yogurt in with you protein shakes to make them more tasty and contain more protein.
Whey protein is a great source of cheap protein and has anywhere from 24 grams to 30 grams of protein per scoop. In a 5 pound tub you can get 70-75 servings and costs $45-$60 dollars. You need a variety of protein sources in a healthy diet, I would not suggest getting more than 2 scoops a day for non-athletes. Blend fruits, milk or yogurt in with you protein shakes to make them more tasty and contain more protein.
5.) Quinoa
Protein Content: 1 cup of cooked quinoa (185 g) contains 8.14 grams of protein.
Quinoa is perhaps one of the most perfect non-animal sources of protein on the planet. What makes quinoa (pronounce keen-wah) unique is that it is the only plant based source of complete protein. “Complete” means that it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids that are crucial to human function and health. It is also a wonderful option for those that follow a gluten free diet, since it is completely gluten free.
Protein Content: 1 cup of cooked quinoa (185 g) contains 8.14 grams of protein.
Quinoa is perhaps one of the most perfect non-animal sources of protein on the planet. What makes quinoa (pronounce keen-wah) unique is that it is the only plant based source of complete protein. “Complete” means that it contains all 9 of the essential amino acids that are crucial to human function and health. It is also a wonderful option for those that follow a gluten free diet, since it is completely gluten free.
6.) Whole milk
Whole milk is not the cheapest but one of the easiest ways to get some protein in. A cold glass of whole milk goes great with some brownies or mixed in with a protein shake.
Whole milk is not the cheapest but one of the easiest ways to get some protein in. A cold glass of whole milk goes great with some brownies or mixed in with a protein shake.
7.) Veggies
Yep, good old greens will pack a protein punch. One cup of cooked spinach has about 7 grams of protein. The same serving of French beans has about 13 grams. Two cups of cooked kale? 5 grams. One cup of boiled peas? Nine grams.
Yep, good old greens will pack a protein punch. One cup of cooked spinach has about 7 grams of protein. The same serving of French beans has about 13 grams. Two cups of cooked kale? 5 grams. One cup of boiled peas? Nine grams.
8.) Frozen chicken breast
Frozen chicken breast is one of the most popular sources of protein. This is not the cheapest but in the top 11. You can find frozen chicken breasts or chicken breast tenders on sale and use them in anything you can imagine. Grill em, make BBQ chicken, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, or anything else you can imagine.
Frozen chicken breast is one of the most popular sources of protein. This is not the cheapest but in the top 11. You can find frozen chicken breasts or chicken breast tenders on sale and use them in anything you can imagine. Grill em, make BBQ chicken, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, or anything else you can imagine.
9.) Chia Seeds
Protein Content: 4 g per ounce
Though the protein content isn’t as high as some other vegetarian foods out there, chia seeds pack a huge nutritional punch. For starters, they’re an incredible fiber resource with nearly half (11 g) of the amount you need every day in a single ounce. That helps fill you up and eat fewer calories. They also contain 18 percent of your daily calcium requirement, more than triple that of milk, which helps your bones. Chia seeds have no flavor, so you can add a tablespoon to any food you wish to without altering its flavor, and unlike flax, chia seeds don’t need to be ground in order for your body to absorb all the nutrients.
Protein Content: 4 g per ounce
Though the protein content isn’t as high as some other vegetarian foods out there, chia seeds pack a huge nutritional punch. For starters, they’re an incredible fiber resource with nearly half (11 g) of the amount you need every day in a single ounce. That helps fill you up and eat fewer calories. They also contain 18 percent of your daily calcium requirement, more than triple that of milk, which helps your bones. Chia seeds have no flavor, so you can add a tablespoon to any food you wish to without altering its flavor, and unlike flax, chia seeds don’t need to be ground in order for your body to absorb all the nutrients.
10.) Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is cheap, easy, and accessible nearly anywhere and also a great source of protein. Mix peaches or pineapple with cottage cheese and enjoy a tasty treat. You can always do like me and eat it out of the tub like a boss.
Cottage cheese is cheap, easy, and accessible nearly anywhere and also a great source of protein. Mix peaches or pineapple with cottage cheese and enjoy a tasty treat. You can always do like me and eat it out of the tub like a boss.
11.) Ground beef
Ground beef is my favorite source of cheap protein. Ground beef is versatile and can make anything from burgers, meatloaf or nachos. A favorite of mine is to cook a pound of ground beef, mix in a few tablespoons of sour cream, a handful of cheese and you have a flavorful and healthy concoction of flavor.
Ground beef is my favorite source of cheap protein. Ground beef is versatile and can make anything from burgers, meatloaf or nachos. A favorite of mine is to cook a pound of ground beef, mix in a few tablespoons of sour cream, a handful of cheese and you have a flavorful and healthy concoction of flavor.
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