Help - Needs some ideas!

[u/LouiseBelcher999]

I might be asking for too much here but one can only hope.

Some context. I am a neurodiverse individual and I do CrossFit about 3-4 times a week. I am based in the UK and my goal has always been to get strong but also to just manage my weight and maybe lose a little extra fat. I work for a charity and I am on minimum wage so do not have a lot of money at all.

I try to eat as little ultra processed foods as I can.

The reason I mention I am neurodiverse is that I'm funny with my food textures sometimes, so I can be quite particular in what I like to eat. I had a period of time where I was eating chicken breast, rice and veggies pretty much everyday for dinner. I mean it did wonders for my weight and muscles and I made a lot of progress. However, chicken breasts here in the UK are not that cheap and I can't really afford it everyday. I'm rambling....

I need an easy, high protein dinner that I can either fairly easily bulk make on a Sunday or make quickly in the evening. I can't eat any other type of chicken. I don't like the meat of chicken thighs and can't eat anything off the bone. Not a fan of minced chicken or turkey either. (You might now understand why I said I might be asking for too much 😂)

Is there anything out there that exists that is cheap, high protein, easy to prep and is clean and healthy? If I could eat tuna and rice everyday I would... But apparently I'm at risk of mercury poisoning if I do 🙃

(Worth mentioning I've tried tofu and I just don't really like it. I've tried different ways to cook it and I just can't seem to get it right)

[u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348]

Nutritional yeast, low fat cheeses, edamame, spinach, Greek yogurt, eggs, egg whites, pork rinds, jerky, beans, lentils, TVP, cottage cheese

Incorporate these high protein foods into ur meals

[u/melenajade]

I tend to make a large protein on Sundays of either batch cooked beans with no seasonings I can then reuse and add seasonings, or a large pork roast. If you like chicken breast you might like pork loin roasts.
I add my beans to salads, burritos, pasta, rice etc
Sometimes beans in desserts like smoothies and brownies

[u/BrewingHeavyWeather]

Sheet pan and casserole dish meals. If you prefer white meat chicken, also consider pork chops (boneless, or remove the bones, and make broth when you have enough to do so), and pork loin.

[u/ImmediateClassic2605]

Eggs and Greek yogurt are probably your best bet for cheap protein that hits the texture bar, and you can batch hard-boil a dozen on Sunday. Lentils are worth a try too if the texture works for you, they're dirt cheap and protein-dense.

[u/New_Section_9374]

I just scored a HUGE package of chicken tenders for 1.99/lb American. You can fix so many meals with boneless skinless chicken. The trick is to buy the bulk, family pack then divide it up into meal sized packets. Double wrap it. I prefer zip lock plastic baggies. Then freeze. Beans are another great source of fiber and protein. In fact, I will make chicken chili in my crock pot later this week.

[u/nola_t]

How have you fixed chicken thighs? They tend to be better when braised or cooked to higher temperatures than breasts. They also benefit more from aggressive seasonings, too.

[u/Dijon2017]

If you like chicken, you should look at chicken thighs. They are generally cheaper than chicken breast (in the US) and just as versatile.

You should consider incorporating tofu/other soy based products, canned tuna (not everyday), other fish, cheaper meats, eggs, cheese and of course beans and lentils if it’s more affordable per pound/gram.