[b said:
Quote[/b] (OneMoreRep @ Dec. 14 2004,4:05)]I'm looking for an ideal protein source basically..
Ideal would be CONVIENIENT, CHEAP (grams per dollar), and QUALITY (free from excess fats/sugars etc).
So you only want the holy grail of bodybuilding nutrition and supplimentation. If you find it, save a sip for us.
Well, until you find it, I would suggest - as with most things - the ideal solution is probably somewhere in the middle. Use powders, get some bars and sure...eat some chili. Do it all. For the specific kinds...I would suggest some variety in your solid foods. Tuna is great, inexpensive and easy to prepare (mix it with salsa and a bit of fat free ranch...mmm). Extra lean ground beef, if it is truly lean can be as expensive as lean steak and more expensive than good chicken breast, add some variety man. I have even gotten a taste for eggs.
To Bryan's point, protein powders and bars definately make up all of my meals that are in addition to the usual 3. An extra shake between breakfast & lunch. A protein bar between lunch & dinner. Another protein bar and/or shake before bed...almost half my diet is bars or powder and as long as you read the labels and buy at least decent stuff they are a fine way to add calories. I get these bars at Costco that have 30 grams of protein a piece, a little more fat than I'd like, but they taste great and are perfect for bulking. They come out to about a dollar each. Powders are easy to research and many believe that the best dollar per gram value is the 10 lb. bag of Optimum Nutrition's 100% whey. But for a longer lasting anabolic effect, you probably want a whey/Casein blend for drinking during the day or before bed. Those are not cheap regardless of the brand.
If you want a bar that is free from fat and sugar, Keto bars are what you defined as quality and are inexpensive. Not the best taste though (the best tasting bars are the ones with the most fat & sugar).
Really, the answer to your question is a lot more broad than you might think and really involves your goals (cutting or bulking) and your budget (for the most part, you get what you pay for).
Brak