Can you meet protein goals with cheap meals?
Collaborative Post
Eating a healthy diet can feel like an inaccessible goal for a lot of us. Especially in such an influencer-based culture, finding inspiration for cheap, protein-rich meals can be particularly difficult for those of us who have relatively tight budgets.
There are however a number of ways that you can stay healthy and meet your protein goals without breaking the bank. Below, we take a look at a few ways you can go about doing this, exploring how you might achieve your goals using the three main different sources of protein.
Animal-based whole foods
Animal-based whole foods are generally considered to be the healthiest sources of protein you can get. They come with a wide range of other nutrients like fibre, that make it easier for your body to digest the protein and actually put it into your body.
There are heaps of ways to find healthy, affordable sources of animal-based protein. That could be anything from buying large quantities of chicken, to getting some canned fish from a supplier like John West.
It’s worth also going to supermarkets and seeing what meats are on sale – try going at the end of the day in particular, to snap up some deals.
Plant-based whole foods
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, then you might have to get a bit more creative when it comes to meeting your protein goals, especially if you want to do it on the cheap. There are however still a number of options, depending on your specific dietary requirements.
If you still eat eggs and dairy, then these can be two excellent sources of protein and other nutrients and vitamins. If not, then you will have to look at beans, nuts, seeds, and a range of other sources that might not intuitively spring to mind.
It’s important to note that plant-derived proteins aren’t typically as bioavailable as animal-derived proteins. As a result, you will typically need to consume a higher quantity of plant-based options, in order to get the same benefits.
Protein supplements
If you really can’t find a way to afford whole foods that contain enough protein, such as when you’re out and about in the city, you can consider supplementing your meals with a protein shake. That could mean something like having a salad with a protein shake, or even a portion of pasta with a protein smoothie.
You can make protein shakes at home for next to nothing, and then take them out with you. By blending in some kind of nut butter, fruits, and vegetables, you can also help to make your protein shake a more rounded meal, rather than just protein and nothing else.
By following these loose pointers, you should be able to go on and discover a whole range of protein-rich meals to add to your diet. With a little forward planning and creativity, this should absolutely be achievable without breaking the bank, making a healthy diet an accessible option for pretty much everyone.
Photo by logan jeffrey on Unsplash
