Cheap High Protein Foods
If you are a health-conscious eater who wants to reduce the calories in your diet, there are plenty of cheap high-protein foods you can purchase at the grocery store. Just remember to keep an eye out for items that are high in fiber, as well as those that are low in fat and calories.
Edamame beans
Edamame beans are a delicious, healthy vegetable with many nutritional benefits. They provide essential nutrients, including protein, calcium and iron. You can use them in a variety of ways. For instance, edamame is a great addition to a salad or stir-fry.
It is important to remember to buy edamame fresh. Purchasing frozen beans will often give you more beans than you can eat. Fresh edamame has less of a taste.
One cup of cooked edamame contains 224 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 3.3 grams of polyunsaturated fat. The polyunsaturated fats in edamame may help reduce your risk of heart disease. These fats are also beneficial for your health because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Another benefit of eating edamame is that it is a good source of fiber. Adding a half-cup of edamame to your diet each day will increase the fiber content of your diet.
Edamame also has a rich amount of antioxidants. The antioxidants are known to help the body maintain normal cell functions. In addition, the protein in edamame can help build muscle mass.
Edamame is a good source of potassium. Potassium is needed for the normal function of your nerves, muscles and other organs. This mineral is also essential for metabolizing carbohydrates.
Edamame is a cheap and healthy high protein food. Whether you are a vegan or vegetarian, edamame is an easy addition to a nutritious diet.
Greek yoghurt
If you’re trying to lose weight, eat healthier, or build muscle, then Greek yogurt is a great choice. It’s full of protein, healthy fats, and gut-friendly probiotics. Plus, Greek yogurt can help you avoid hunger pangs and keep your carb intake low.
Although Greek yogurt is a high-protein food, you don’t want to eat too much of it. This is especially true if you’re trying to stay away from saturated fats, which raise your “bad” cholesterol.
You can enjoy a yogurt bar if you’re looking for a quick snack. These bars typically come in small packages. However, it’s a good idea to check the labels before consuming one to ensure that it doesn’t contain anything you’re allergic to.
Another way to avoid dairy is by opting for a soy-based alternative. Yogurt containing soy has a much higher amount of protein.
One of the most popular brands is Fage. While it’s not organic, it’s still a nutritious option. Depending on the flavor, it comes in two-percent, five-percent, or no-fat versions. In addition to a healthy dose of protein, it’s also a tasty treat.
Another option is Oikos Triple Zero. This high-protein yogurt contains no added sugar. That’s a big plus for anyone watching their sugar intake.
Dannon Greek Yogurt is another high-protein option. However, it’s a bit pricey. It costs between $2.00 and $3.00 per container, depending on your location.
Low-fat cottage or ricotta cheese
Low-fat cottage or ricotta cheese is a great source of protein. It can be found in many recipes. This satiating food helps you avoid overeating. Cottage cheese is a soft white cheese that comes in a variety of flavors.
Cottage cheese is made by heating curdled cow’s milk. It is also available in reduced-sodium versions. You can use it in a variety of dishes, such as a savory bowl with chopped vegetables and a creamy dressing.
Cottage cheese is an excellent choice for athletes and bodybuilders. It is rich in protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
Both low-fat and regular cottage cheese are lower in calories and fat than other cheeses. They are also a good source of calcium. A half cup contains more than 10 percent of the calcium you need daily.
While both cheeses are a great choice, you can choose the right one for your diet. Ricotta is higher in protein than cottage cheese. In addition, it contains more calcium and selenium.
Another advantage of ricotta is its ability to be spreadable. You can also use it in a pasta stuffing.
However, ricotta is much softer than cottage cheese. The texture of ricotta is also smoother and grainier.
Both ricotta and cottage cheese are lower in sodium than other cheeses. Sodium contributes to high blood pressure, which can increase your risk of heart disease. Therefore, the National Health Service recommends that you consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium each day.
Frozen chicken breast
One of the cheapest animal proteins to buy is a trimmed chicken breast. However, when it comes to protein content, you have to dig a little deeper. A 3-ounce piece of meat contains 140 calories and nine grams of fat. If you are looking for something healthier, try a high-protein frozen meal.
While a good frozen chicken breast recipe does require a bit of thawing, the results can be surprisingly tasty. Frozen chicken cooks beautifully, with a nice golden crust. In addition to being inexpensive, it also provides plenty of nutrients. The USDA recommends cooking your frozen chicken for at least twice as long as a thawed breast.
Using a thermometer is a surefire way to ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe temperature. You can opt for an instant read or a probe. It is recommended to insert the device from the thickest part of the breast.
The best way to get the most bang for your buck is to buy free-range, organic chicken. This way, you know you are getting the purest form of meat.
For the same reason, you should avoid a prepackaged frozen chicken. Many varieties of these processed meats are linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Plus, you will have to make multiple trips to the grocery store.
Although it is not as juicy as its fresh counterpart, cooking a thawed chicken breast from scratch can be a breeze. All you need is a few tricks of the trade and a few minutes of your time.
Canned salmon
Canned salmon is a cheap high protein food that packs a lot of bang for your buck. The benefits of eating seafood are numerous, and a three ounce serving contains 20 grams of muscle building protein.
It’s also a good source of Vitamin B12, which encourages normal brain function. Salmon is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support a healthy heart. These nutrients have also been found to help lower blood pressure.
Another important benefit of canned salmon is the amount of calcium and selenium. A 3-ounce serving of Safe Catch Canned Salmon has 90 calories. That’s more than half the recommended daily allowance of these essential nutrients.
Salmon also contains vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D also plays an important role in cell division and immune system function.
Canned salmon is also a good source of magnesium, which can help you burn fat. However, it is important to note that you should not consume too much sodium. High sodium intake can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
When shopping for canned fish, be sure to choose BPA free cans. Bisphenol A is a synthetic compound used in can lining, and it has been linked to health hazards.
Salmon is also packed with other valuable nutrients. It contains Vitamin B12, which promotes the production of red blood cells. This vitamin also helps maintain the normal balance of phosphorus and calcium in the body.
Wheat bran
Wheat bran is an inexpensive source of plant-based protein. It provides high levels of dietary fiber and minerals. You can use it as an alternative to wheat flour in baked goods. And it is rich in antioxidants, which may help protect against diseases.
Wheat bran is a by-product of the milling process of wheat grain. It contains a mixture of botanically distinct tissues. The pericarp (fruit coat), the testa (seed coat), and the hyaline layer are all contained within the bran. These are all rich in nutrients, including fiber, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and lysine.
Because of its high content of fiber, bran can promote digestive health. In addition, it is a good carrier for supplements. However, wheat bran isn’t an ideal substitute for people with fructan intolerance. So it’s important to eat it slowly and drink plenty of fluids.
In fact, researchers have found that wheat bran has some beneficial effects on colon cancer. This is likely due to its fiber and antioxidant content.
The bran layer also helps slow digestion and keep you full for a longer period of time. Other health benefits of wheat bran include a low cholesterol content and the ability to reduce triglycerides. There is a large number of observational studies that show a link between diets rich in dietary fiber and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Wheat bran may also be a good source of short-chain fatty acids. These are beneficial fatty acids produced by healthy gut bacteria.