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Posted by u/6footdadbod··Hot Take

Anyone cracked the code for a 3000 calorie day under $5?

TL;DR: Looking for budget-friendly meal ideas to hit 3000 calories under $5.

As a dad of two, juggling meal prep while keeping my wallet happy is like trying to get my kids to agree on what to watch for movie night. I'm looking to hit that 3000 calorie mark without breaking the bank. Anyone got a solid meal plan for that? I've been playing around with oats, rice, and beans, but I could use some fresh ideas before my next grocery run!

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u/6footdadbod·

You might want to check out peanut butter! It's super calorie-dense and can be mixed with oats or even spread on toast. My kids love it too, so I get to sneak in some extra calories while keeping them happy

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u/liftingtogether·

I hear you about not wanting to track everything! But apps like MyFitnessPal can help you keep it simple without getting too crazy. Just a quick log of your meals can really help you see where you're at.

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u/brokeandbulking·

Honestly, if you can get lentils too, they are super cheap and packed with nutrients! I make lentil stew with potatoes and it fills me right up. Plus, it's a fun way to get the kids involved in cooking.

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u/brokeandbulking·

Man, I feel you on that! I'm on a budget too, and hitting 3000 calories can be tricky. I usually do a lot of rice, beans, and eggs. You can get a dozen eggs for under $2, and they pack a ton of protein. A few good meals and you've hit a lot of your needs without breaking the bank.

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u/lightweightsfordays·

Honestly, meal prepping saves my life. I make a big batch of pasta and mix in some veggies, ground beef, and sauce. You can eat it for days and it's so easy! Plus, I usually end up with extra calories from the sauce and cheese

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u/runninglateagain·

Dude, you could also get some frozen veggies. They're super cheap and easy to add to anything! One time, I added them to my pasta and ended up with a colorful meal that didn't taste like cardboard.

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u/6footdadbod·

My grocery trips are wild, I have to plan around my kids' tastes. One time, I bought a bunch of chicken thighs on sale, and we had BBQ chicken for like three nights! It's great for leftovers too.

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u/lactoseintolerantlifters·

Ngl, oatmeal with bananas and a scoop of peanut butter is my go-to for cheap calories. It's like, the perfect breakfast, and if you throw in some honey, it's a real treat! Just watch out for the sugar rush.

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u/squat_to_pizza·

this. Rice and beans are classics for a reason, but you can also throw in some cheap ground turkey or chicken for extra calories! Plus, who doesn't love tacos? Just add some tortillas and you've got a full meal.

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u/runninglateagain·

Honestly, who has time to track every single calorie? I usually just try to eat whole foods and not stress too much about counting everything. It works for me, tbh.

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u/liftingtogether·

If you're down to get creative, I recommend making energy balls with oats, peanut butter, and honey! You can batch them and have them as snacks. My workout buddy and I made a ton last weekend, and they were gone in a day!

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u/thecraftychef·

I get wanting to avoid tracking, but if you're trying to hit a specific calorie goal, it might help to use something like Cronometer. It's a bit more comprehensive than some other apps, so you can really see where your nutrients are coming from! Plus, it tracks micronutrients too, which is a nice bonus.

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