Cheap Sources of Protein

5. Canned Tuna – 36.1 grams/dollar

Anyone trying to scrape by has probably eaten canned tuna before. The meats don’t get much cheaper than this. Throw a can on top of a salad for a quick, cheap, protein rich meal.

4. Peanut Butter – 44.9 grams/dollar

Who doesn’t like peanut butter? It tastes great, but be careful not to eat too much. You could go through a jar in no time. Stick to all natural peanut butter. The ingredients should say peanuts and possibly salt, but that’s it.

3. Whey Protein – 45.7 grams/dollar

Before I made this list, I thought whey protein would take the #1 spot, but it makes sense if you consider where whey protein comes from – milk. Whey can be added to many things including smoothies.

2. Eggs – 48 grams/dollar

Eggs are one of the most nutritionally packed foods out there. Unfortunately, many people get scared off from eating them because of their cholesterol content. The good news is that dietary cholesterol intake does not directly influence blood cholesterol levels. So eat up – yolk and all.

1. Milk – 49.6 grams/dollar

Milk took the #1 spot for the cheapest protein source. It is a combination of whey and casein protein. For those on a tight budget who are not lactose intolerant, milk is a great way to get in extra protein.