Cheap protein tier list from a broke dorm GLP-1 student

2026-09-30 17:36

Eleven weeks of actually logging everything, 14 lbs down. My setup: a microwave on a nightstand in a rented room, a shared fridge shelf the width of a yogurt, no stove. Campus dining charges extra for anything that isn't a carb.

Broke-student unscientific cheap-protein tier list: S tier: $1 tuna pouches and cottage cheese singles. A tier: hard-boiled eggs swiped from the dining hall, wrapped in a napkin. B tier: rotisserie chicken torn into microwave rice.

C tier: protein powder shaken into cold coffee because warm shakes make me gag. D tier: plain tofu cubes eaten over the sink.

F tier: the veggie burger that tastes like a cardboard apology. Not glamorous, but I'm full enough to stop snacking at 11 p.m., which is a win.

What's your S-tier cheap protein that doesn't need a real kitchen?

2026-10-06 13:31

solid list. If you’ve got a microwave, frozen shelled edamame is my dorm MVP: steam-in-bag, ~18g protein and fiber per cup, cheaper than tuna per gram where I am.

Also carton egg whites nuked in a mug with salsa, or Greek yogurt tub + powdered peanut butter when the fridge shelf allows. I’m recomping and lift 4x, so weekly protein matters more than perfect meals; tuna/cottage cheese get old fast.

What’s your daily protein target, and are you hitting it in 3 meals or grazing? The appetite side makes 30g+ at once feel like a chore for me.

2026-10-18 06:55

I ran edamame through my sheet too: $2.49/bag for 18g protein here = $0.138/g, so it’s B-tier unless BOGO. My S-tier sleeper is a 16oz store-brand nonfat Greek yogurt tub, $3.99 for ~85g = $0.047/g.

I stir in sugar-free pudding mix to fake dessert texture. Sharp question: what’s your $/g cutoff for S?

My trendline says under $0.06/g and at least 20g protein per serving, otherwise it’s just cheap calories.