Increasing Protein while Living on a Strict Budget

I seems like my protein levels have bottomed out.  By my math at 150 I need approximately 55g of protein today I only managed 38g.  I have been eating a lot of whole wheat pasta and black beans, and when I can afford it tuna, can anyone help with ideas?  I have recently stopped working to go back to school full time so the financials are really tight.  So far it has been worth it but I 'm worried about how many carbs I'm eating because they are the only things I can afford right now. Now for a random aside why does the whole wheat pasta I bought at Wal Mart made with exactly the same ingredients, 100% whole durum wheat as Hodgeson Mill only rate a C- versus an A-?

Do you enjoy tofu? A package of tofu costs under two dollars, and it is 10 grams of protein for only 1/2 cup.

Or ever heard of seitan? It is a meat substitute made from wheat, very delicious, in expensive, and one serving has 20 grams of protein. Or, you could invest in some inexpensive protein powder and make smoothies for yourself. I recommend Genisoy, and though I don't like Wal-Mart, I know they sell it there, probably pretty cheap.

As a vegan on a budget, I don't find it challenging to get in all my protein... and I don't even eat meat! You can do it. Good luck to you! 

Unfortunately I live in a part of the country where Wal-mart is about the only option for reasonably priced anything.  I am two hours from Asheville and three hours from Atlanta.  I'll try to get into Asheville in the next few days and see what they have there.  I know they have lots more options, it is frequently known as Hippie Heaven, but a four hour round trip is hard to fit in most days, thanks for your suggestions.

there's 17 grams of protein in one hard broiled egg and just 70 calories or so, so if you had 2 a day that's only 140 calories and you dont have to worry about the cholesterol unless you are at risk of heart disease or something. that would last you 6 days for one dozen eggs and cost less than $2 while providing like 2/3 of your daily needs. that seems like your best bet!! also, milk, nuts, and yogurt are high in protein! 

Definitely dried beans and lentils, they are super cheap and will give you a lot to work with.

canned tuna, sardines, buy whole chickens and learn to butcher it yourself (youtube), edemame beans, and as others have mentioned eggs and yog. I really understand where you're coming from, I've been a student for what feels like ions!

I put beans in everything I don't use meat on. Dark red kidney beans are my current favorite, because I feel they go best in a salad, and are great in soups too (and $0.59 a can). If you have another grocery store near you (like food lion) they may be more expensive for other things, but many run great sales on meats (something walmart seldom does, in my experience).

cottage cheese (low fat, of course) is high in protein - if you aren't sure about the texture (i wasn't at first) you can make it into a smooth dip by whizzing it up in the food processor - if you add just a touch of soft cream cheese (again, low fat) and some raw leafy green like spinach or watercress it is delicious. i'm a real covert to cottage cheese - its like sour cream and cheese in one! perfect for accompanying mexican food (instead of high fat sour creams) or making a low cal cheesey pasta sauce.

and its cheap - i get four pots (125g each) for £1

Original Post by chrissy1988:

there's 17 grams of protein in one hard broiled egg

 there are 17g in one cup of boiled eggs 9around 200 cals)- 1 egg has about 6g.

http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-egg-wh ole-i1129?size=3

Original Post by chrissy1988:

there's 17 grams of protein in one hard broiled egg

 there are 17g in one cup of boiled eggs 9around 200 cals)- 1 egg has about 6g.

http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-egg-wh ole-i1129?size=3

my apologies, i must have clicked the wrong serving size...oopsy. thanks for the correction

Walmart brand cottage chesse, tuna, yogurt, chicken breast, and wheat pasta is what I live on and I don't go over budget. Oh and like others have said hard boiled eggs are great and cheap too.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.  It has been hard to go from working fulltime (while going to school) to not working, but still going to school.  I can no longer afford my staples.  I appreciate the advice!  -Thanks

I would definitely reccomend canned seafood because there are SO MANY different types and they are so versitile and quite frankly delicious! (Well at least I think so!)

I love making super large salads with canned salmon, sardines, tuna or mackerel - mmm!!!

I have the identical problem.  Trying to up my protein on a limited budget.  Fortunately, I have a Sam's Club where I buy shrimp, chicken and tuna in bulk, so that saves me some money.

By far the best protein for the money is chicken.  I eat a LOT of chicken.  LOL

Tell me about it, I feel like I'm going to sprout feathers (or explode due to natural gas) LOL  But I am now under 150 for the first time in more than a year! SO YEA ME!!!  Thank a lot folks I really appreciate it.