Diet Advice For A Tight Budget

[hatman]

I am getting ready to cycle for 10wks, and am looking for advice on my diet. I have cut 30 lbs in the last few months in prep for this and want to eat right and get the most out of my cycle. The only problem I see is a limited budget that I am living on. I cannot afford to spend $100 a week on food. Just looking for some pointers on the best way to go here....
Thanks

 

[Renegade69]

Theres plenty of good protein and carb packed food that wont dominate your wallet. The trick is to make it at home and bring with with you in containers. I find that I get owned when I eat out for lunch and stuff because of the amount I am eating right now! Oatmeal, Brown rice, sweet potatoes...are all great cheap carb sources. As far as protein goes, hit the supermarket and buy cuts of meat like steak and chicken and all that...im sure you know the deal. Make some tupperwares up of this stuff and you should be ok. You can spend like 50/60 a week and make yourself plenty of premade meals that pack in all the quality nutrition you need. Dont forget about greens either. Just remember to always have protein and carbs together!

 

[lastchance]

Renegade is right on the money. You can buy what you need at your local supermarket. Throw in some legume (kidney beans, black beans, lima beans...you get the picture) cottage cheese and if you can i would suggest a good vitamin and you can get protien powder at some bulk food stores (you know -you pack it, they wiegh it-- pretty resonable price). It takes hard work dedication, planning and prep to eat, train and use AAS. Stick with it!

 

[StrongandFit]

Milk and eggs are a reasonably priced source of protein.

 

[shm772]

I agree that eating out will kill your wallet. I buy Chicken in bulk so i only pay about 1.99 a lb , I buy my veges frozen and lots of sweet potatoes. I also get a few boxes of this new pasta (Dreamfield) which is specially made to only contain 5 g of carbs per serving and a serving is plenty after i cook it. I also make a big pot of chili with lean ground beef and black beans that i eat during the week. I also throw in a serving of salmon once sometimes twice a week. my grocery bill is usually around 60 $ . I get my protein powder cheap also.

 

[BrianEE93]

Sam's Club or Costco and stock up the meat in the freezer.

 

[stooch1e]

Hat, definitely go dummy with tupperware. I try and do a bunch of cooking right before i got to bed, not only does it make me hungry, but it allows me to sleep in just a little bit more the next morning.

 

[b2002]

Yeah, costco is pretty cheap, but the best time to buy meat is after a holiday. 4th of July would be good. The day after memorial day I got chicken breat and thighs for SUPER cheap from the local grocery store. Make sure you freeze it though, and just thaw a piece whenever you ned it.

 

[sportsclub]

pork shoulder
tilapia
pork chops
canned tuna
there are so many inexpensive protein sources if you are willing to cook.

 

[hatman]

pork shoulder
tilapia
pork chops
canned tuna
there are so many inexpensive protein sources if you are willing to cook.

Isn't there quite a bit of fat in pork? I've been avoiding it for that reason. I love tuna, and did find a reasonable price on the low sodium stuff. Mixed with mustard and eaten with reduced fat wheat thins is lunch for me every other day.

 

[tailhold]

Sam's Club or Costco and stock up the meat in the freezer.

Also check out the protein powder at costco it's really cheap the last time I got it it was like 26 bucks for 6 pounds and they also have the best canned tuna (Kirkland) it's like a albacore steak in a can.


tailhold

 

[BrianEE93]

Also check out the protein powder at costco it's really cheap the last time I got it it was like 26 bucks for 6 pounds and they also have the best canned tuna (Kirkland) it's like a albacore steak in a can.


tailhold

Yep. Forgot about the protein. Sam's dropped down to 5lbs. and the price went up to $30 but still a good price.

 

[hatman]

Yep. Forgot about the protein. Sam's dropped down to 5lbs. and the price went up to $30 but still a good price.

That's what I get. EAS 5lbs. It won't dissolve quickly enough in coffee though... turns to a paste for some reason. lol It's great for mixing my 3 shakes to take to work with me though. I don't think there is a Costco near me. I'll have to do some checking.

 

[stooch1e]

If you've got the tupperware here are a couple healthy, easily portable foods:

Oatmeal (kinda sloppy though)
Hard boiled eggs
Tuna
whole wheat Pasta (with a shit ton of meat!)

 

[jasthace]

I eat quite a bit of canned Mackerel also.
It is cheaper than tuna,has a higher omega 3 content and I enjoy the texture,it is really meaty.
A lot of people do not like to eat it ,as it has a stronger smell and flavor.
I mix it with tuna 1/1.

 

[hatman]

I eat quite a bit of canned Mackerel also.
It is cheaper than tuna,has a higher omega 3 content and I enjoy the texture,it is really meaty.
A lot of people do not like to eat it ,as it has a stronger smell and flavor.
I mix it with tuna 1/1.

Just curious jast, what else do you put in the tuna/mackerel? I've been using mustard with my tuna. Mayo is definitely out, and I am getting pretty burnt out on the mustard.

 

[BrianEE93]

Just curious jast, what else do you put in the tuna/mackerel? I've been using mustard with my tuna. Mayo is definitely out, and I am getting pretty burnt out on the mustard.

Try some Ranch light or free. I use Miracle Whip free too. Hot sauce is always good on fish. IMHO

 

[jasthace]

I actually soak my fish in a container and smash it up to get rid of the excess salt ,then sift it.
Then I add some cheap olive or rice bran oil.which helps it slid down the gullet and is a bit more enjoyable.
It depends on the diet I'm on to what I eat with it Normally I just eat the protein portion by itself then eat my carb and a piece of fruit.
If I am bulking I just mix the fish in with some cereal and if I have the money throw some protein powder on top.
I can eat near anything.Although i wouldn't eat that shit the eat on fear factor lol..

 

[StrongandFit]

For protein I'd by the 10lb bag of Optimum Whey. Buying it in bulk is always going to save you money.

Be sure to shop around online and find the best price.

 

[lovevixen]

Find a place that buys their meats in bulk and bags them in house. Often you can get whole chickes dirt cheap when they are not name brand. By eye of round and cut your own steaks what sells for $9 a pound pre cut sells for $4 a pound if you cut it yourself. Stop buying protein powder and just drink a gallon of white or choclate milk a day! take up hunting bag a couple deer a year or an elk and you have a lot of cheap meat. i like to eat rabbit almost year round! By as much of your vegtable like frozen or canned in generic form.