Expensive or cheap, protein is protein. Sometimes we attempt hard-to-pull-off diets, which contain more protein than we can actually afford. And if you are feeling like your expenses are rising too much, you might want to consider some more budget-friendly protein options. The cheapest forms of protein available include tofu, sunflower seeds, peanut butter and eggs.
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How cost-efficient are whey protein powders?
Whey protein is one of the most cost-efficient supplements in the bodybuilding world. Good quality protein powders such as Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard or Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold cost $0.75 per serving and offer 22 grams of protein. The only cheaper forms of protein are chicken breasts and sunflower seeds.
Of course, there are more expensive types of whey protein powders which cost up to $1.50 per scoop with the same amount of protein. In addition, protein powders contain fat and carbs, some of which, like BSN Syntha, reach up to 6 grams of fat and 15 grams of carbs which can be both beneficial or bad, depending on your goals.
There are foods that are relatively cheap and high in protein, of course, and their prices reflect your geographical location and standard of living. Some might be more expensive and others less in different countries.
The best protein powder for pregnant women
Cheap meat sources of protein
Chicken breasts
Poultry has been considered among the best meats that are a healthy source of protein. A hundred grams of skinless chicken contains a bit over 30 grams of protein.Chicken meat is a fat-free alternative to red meat and contains B6, B12 vitamins, zinc, iron and copper, in addition to protein, which are all essential to a healthy body.
Canned Tuna
Aside from being cheap and a great source of protein, tuna contains Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which both play a crucial role in brain development, cell growth, and are key to a healthy immune system.
Cheap vegetarian sources of protein
Sunflower seeds
Sunflower seeds are one of the most cost-efficient sources of protein. On the other hand, they are only 20 percent branched-chain amino acids, which means they have a lower digestibility. Overall, adding them to your diet would do no harm.
Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional Yeast contains 2 grams of protein per spoon and is an affordable price. You can also add it to almost any meal out there.
Lentils
Different variations of lentils have been considered to be power food for centuries. 100 grams contain between 8 and 12 grams of protein, depending on the type of lentils you pick.
Chia Seeds
Chia Seeds contain 17 grams of protein per 100 grams, which makes chia almost as high in protein as a whey protein shake.
FAQ
What is the cheapest form of protein out there?
The cheapest protein source depends on your location in the world, but generally, peanut butter or chicken breasts are at the very top of being cost-efficient in terms of providing protein for your muscle growth and repair functions. There are other options like tuna and chia, but they might come at a higher price in some locations.
Do bananas contain protein?
Bananas are a great calorie booster and a killer post-workout meal; however, they contain almost no protein whatsoever. Bananas are high in carbs, water and each fruit has around 105 calories. They also give you no fats and are a good source of potassium.
What are the healthiest forms of protein?
White-fleshed fish contains omega 3 fatty acids and a lot of clean protein. Plain Greek yogurt, beans, lentils and peas are also non-toxic and easy-to-digest foods that are high in protein content. Vegetarian choices like tofu and peanut butter are available as well, although not recommended in excessive quantities.
User comment about cheap protein
Cheap Protein – How to Avoid Getting Hurt
The internet is loaded with websites that advertise cheap protein, but what they don’t tell you is that the cheap protein that they are peddling can be harmful to your health. I’m not saying that you should never pay for cheap protein. I’m just saying that if you are going to spend your hard-earned money on a product, you might as well do it for a good reason. It’s good to experiment with new foods so that you can find out what you really enjoy.
You can get cheap protein in three ways. The first way is to buy ready-to-use protein bars at the store. These are convenient and relatively cheap, and can be a great way to get a higher quality of protein into your diet without having to create your own meal from scratch. If you do this often, however, you might want to look into making your own protein at home. There are dozens of recipes online that can help you make the foods that you love and still get the same results at a fraction of the cost.
The second way to get cheap protein is by buying in bulk. This might sound like a bad idea, but the big thing about protein is that it has to be kept cold. Because protein is perishable, it has to be kept at room temperature or else the texture will be changed and it will curdle. Protein powder is a great example of a food that can be frozen and kept in the refrigerator for a long period of time–the protein powder will stay nice and cold and won’t change when you reheat it.
