Bodybuilding on a mess diet

[lithichok]

Hi everyone, I was doing some research online with regards to amount of protein needed for maintenance and growth of muscle. The figure which I read is 1g/lb bodyweight. That works out for me to be 170 g protein per day. How do I hit this figure while in college and having mess food? I am having 6 eggs daily ( boiling them in my hostel ) but apart from that no other supplements. Protein powder is very expensive and my parents aren't willing to buy it for me. Are there any alternative sources of protein which are more affordable? My current physique is very average, but I have been gymming for around 6 months. Not happy with my progress, need advice. Thank you!

[air2fakie]

Protein powder is very expensive and my parents aren't willing to buy it for me. Are there any alternative sources of protein which are more affordable?

Canned tuna, canned beans/legumes (not green).

My current physique is very average, but I have been gymming for around 6 months. Not happy with my progress, need advice. Thank you!

Do a proper novice program. And don't say "gymming".

[gbullock32]

Canned tuna, canned beans/legumes (not green).



Do a proper novice program. And don't say "gymming".

These, also adding canned or pouched chicken, my luck I am allergic to tuna.

[paulinkansas]

Beef jerky. Summer sausage.

I used to harvest a few deer every fall and turn all the meat into 3 pound rolls of summer sausage and give them out to people for a Christmas present. Using a hand crank meat grinder takes about 3 hours to process a deer. So I bought 2 pulley wheels, a V-belt and used an electric motor and one of the foot pedals from a sewing machine to make an electric meat grinder. I can do a 150 pound deer in 30 minutes without wearing out my right arm cranking a grinder.

[gbullock32]

Beef jerky. Summer sausage.

I used to harvest a few deer every fall and turn all the meat into 3 pound rolls of summer sausage and give them out to people for a Christmas present. Using a hand crank meat grinder takes about 3 hours to process a deer. So I bought 2 pulley wheels, a V-belt and used an electric motor and one of the foot pedals from a sewing machine to make an electric meat grinder. I can do a 150 pound deer in 30 minutes without wearing out my right arm cranking a grinder.

Store bought beef jerky ain't cheap though, small bag is easily $6+ and that wont last long.

[DougyF7]

What is “mess food” OP?

[paulinkansas]

Store bought beef jerky ain't cheap though, small bag is easily $6+ and that wont last long.

No chit. That's why I have not bought any beef jerky from a store in about 20-25 years. I bought one of those stacked food dehydrators to make my own jerky. It was made from the ducks I hunted, and I got a whole lot of ducks when the hunting was good.

My dog would even get ducks that other people shot and couldn't find and bring them to me.

[gbullock32]

No chit. That's why I have not bought any beef jerky from a store in about 20-25 years. I bought one of those stacked food dehydrators to make my own jerky. It was made from the ducks I hunted, and I got a whole lot of ducks when the hunting was good.

My dog would even get ducks that other people shot and couldn't find and bring them to me.

9 tray dehydrator on my counter, man it was a worthwhile investment and nothing like making jerky, makes the whole house smell good.

[xsquid99]

What is “mess food” OP?

He's in college so assuming he means "mess hall" (for you other former military types) aka "the cafeteria".

[DougyF7]

He's in college so assuming he means "mess hall" (for you other former military types) aka "the cafeteria".

Thanks, squid.



OP, I would think there’s plenty to choose from in the cafeteria to get in enough protein.

That said, protein powder isn’t *that* expensive. It’s actually relatively cheap per serving for the amount of high quality protein you get. Work a small side gig once in a while to make some money to buy it and have extra cash for yourself. Will be good all around - make friends, make money, etc.

[air2fakie]

He's in college so assuming he means "mess hall" (for you other former military types) aka "the cafeteria".

OP, get a job in or do your work-study program in the "mess hall". I'm sure you'll figure out how to get some free protein one way or another.

[paulinkansas]

OP, I would think there’s plenty to choose from in the cafeteria to get in enough protein.
.

I respectively disagree from personal experience. Spun my wheels in the dorms eating dorm food for 2 years and went from 136 to about about 145 pounds.

Got out of the dorms and lived with some guys on the college baseball team. Lifted, ate and hung out with other guys taking special vitamins.

Got up to 165 lbs and would bench 225 for reps without a spotter. Some of my associates from back then are now dead from the vitamins. RIP John and Mark. We had some good times back then.

[DougyF7]

I respectively disagree from personal experience. Spun my wheels in the dorms eating dorm food for 2 years and went from 136 to about about 145 pounds.

Got out of the dorms and lived with some guys on the college baseball team. Lifted, ate and hung out with other guys taking special vitamins.

Got up to 165 lbs and would bench 225 for reps without a spotter. Some of my associates from back then are now dead from the vitamins. RIP John and Mark. We had some good times back then.

To me it sounds like you changed several things when you left the dorms, not just the food. You also changed who you lifted and hung out with. Did they encourage you to eat more food than before in addition to better lifting techniques?

Maybe it was more food and not the type of food?

[SuicideGripMe]

Take a week of calculating your mess hall calories and macros (get a decent breakdown) and see what those are. From there, calculate your caloric needs.

Then, simply add foods that are easily affordable and convenient. No one can deny the ease of milk and peanut butter. But... if you're already on the heavy side, this might not be the best choice. Then I would argue for eggs and miso soup. Go to your asian super market and find miso, very cheap, and some daikon or whatever you like to add (or buy instant miso). Crack in two whole eggs and drink that puppy down. Repeat twice a day. If your macros are too fat dominant, just mix egg whites. Also, yogurt is a good option.

[paulinkansas]

Did they encourage you to eat more food than before in addition to better lifting techniques?

Maybe it was more food and not the type of food?

This was 1988. There was no internet or any kind of bodybuilding forum. I followed what they did and cut back all my sets but did all my sets further to failure. We would buy or shoplift steaks every night and have them for dinner. Bacon egg peanut butter and cheese sandwiches were a staples.

This homeless guy named Bruce stayed uninvited at my neighbors place, but that is another story.

[smokinal]

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ng+on+a+budget

[GrouchyUSMC]

Ground beef and rice.

[kimnancy]

Hi everyone, I was doing some research online with regards to amount of protein needed for maintenance and growth of muscle. The figure which I read is 1g/lb bodyweight. That works out for me to be 170 g protein per day. How do I hit this figure while in college and having mess food? I am having 6 eggs daily ( boiling them in my hostel ) but apart from that no other supplements. Protein powder is very expensive and my parents aren't willing to buy it for me. Are there any alternative sources of protein which are more affordable? My current physique is very average, but I have been gymming for around 6 months. Not happy with my progress, need advice. Thank you!

Hey! It's great that you're focused on your fitness. For affordable protein sources, consider beans, lentils, yogurt, and canned tuna. These are budget-friendly and can help you reach your protein goals. Also, explore local markets for deals on meat or discounts. Keep up the hard work in the gym, and you'll see progress over time!