| #1 | Eggs | ~65g/$ | Buy in bulk (60-pack). Store brand. Pasture-raised for nutrients, conventional for pure cost. |
| #2 | Lentils (Dry) | ~70g/$ | Dry lentils 3-4x cheaper than canned. Soak overnight, cook in bulk, freeze portions. |
| #3 | Whole Chicken | ~55g/$ | Buy whole chicken (not parts) — 50% cheaper. Roast, use bones for stock. One chicken = 5-6 meals. |
| #4 | Whey Protein (Bulk) | ~40g/$ | 5lb tubs on sale. Per serving, cheaper than chicken. Best cost-per-gram after eggs and lentils. |
| #5 | Cottage Cheese | ~35g/$ | Store brand. Large tubs. Casein protein — slow-digesting, good before bed. |
| #6 | Canned Tuna | ~30g/$ | Buy in 4-packs. Light tuna (cheaper, lower mercury). Skipjack preferred. |
| #7 | Tofu | ~25g/$ | Asian grocery stores have cheapest. Firm tofu has most protein. |