10 best bodybuilding foods on a budget!!!
Lets face it, Bodybuilding is EXPENSIVE and as you get further and further along on your journey this expense will get even greater. There will come a point where you will either need to level up financially (aka make more money) or find a way to still get the proper foods in that are more cost effective. I mean shoot, I have myself leveled up financially but still utilize these options because they still get the job done. You do not need to eat filet mignon or grass fed organic eggs to achieve a really good build. Below are 10 muscle building foods that are cost effective and will still get you results.
1. 85/15 lean ground beef!!!!! Yea yea I know its not the leanest cut, but the little bit of extra fat is not going to hurt your physique. A way to make it leaner is to use paper towels after cooking to soak up the extra oil and that will make the beef leaner and dryer.
2. Whole Eggs. This is a huge bodybuilding staple and one that I utilize almost daily still today. If you can afford to just eat the whites then great, but I will say that it is not necessary and you can still get in really great condition and build some serious muscle just eating whole eggs. I mean the Golden Era guys were notorious for eating whole eggs and gallons of milk lol, so there is proof in the pudding,
3. Regular Peanut Butter. Not the organic or natural peanut butter but the regular, store brand. Yes the one that has some sugar and oil. It’s not like you’re going to be eating the entire jar, but this is a great option to get the added healthy fats and calories needed for growth. This is something that I eat and utilize on the regular.
4. 85/15 ground turkey. Much like ground beef go for the fattier, cheaper option here and use paper towels to make it leaner on your own. This will save you some money and lets be honest, the higher fat turkey tastes a little bit better anyway lol!!!
5. White pasta. A regular staple for me, here is a pretty cheap option that will give you some solid, clean carbs. I will say rice is the preferred Carb source, but there is nothing wrong with using pasta on occasion. It is still a pretty clean source and one that taste pretty good as well.
6. Jasmine Rice. This is my regular staple Carb, and one that is a little lower on the glycemic index. You can get a fairly large bag for around 10 dollars!!!
7. Cream of Wheat. I am a big advocate of cream of rice, but lets be honest cream of rice can get pretty pricey. So here is a solid plan b. Cream of wheat is pretty damn similar with the only difference being that cream of rice is slightly higher in terms of simple sugar content, which is good pre or post workout. But this will still get the job done at a fraction of the cost.
8. Rice Crispy Treats!!!! Yes I said Rice Crispy Treats. I know what you are thinking, how can this be part of your diet plan. Well its all about timing. If eaten around workout time, this is a perfect pre or post workout food that will spike blood sugar and help transport proteins and fats to the muscle that is needed for growth. Limit this to around workout times, because this is a little more on the junk side of things but can still be a part of the bodybuilding diet
9. Bag of mixed nuts. Another great way to get some added calories and fats in our diet, with most of the fat coming from unsaturated fat. And a handful of nuts is going to be much higher in calories that 10 ounces of chicken, and lets be honest calories are truly what are needed for growth.
10. Bag of frozen Veggies. Fresh veggies and fruits are always the preferred option, but again we are trying to keep cost down while still reaching our goals. There is nothing wrong with using frozen fruits and veggies, as we are still getting many of the same vitamins and minerals.
So there you have it, 10 budget friendly foods that don’t break the bank but still get the job done. Happy Training!!!
BEYOND JUST BODYBUILDING!!!!!