[toasterlovin]

If you can tolerate lactose, milk is the cheapest way to eat a good balance of high quality protein, fat, and carbs. 2400 calories for less than $3 at most grocery stores.

Then chicken is the lowest cost per calorie meat, so you're good there. May I also suggest large quantities of cheddar cheese and heavy whipping cream from Costco? Amazing value per dollar spent. Cheddar cheese (we have Tillamook at Costco out here on the west coast) is basically entirely protein and fat and then whipping cream is all fat.

[Fenrisulfr]

I love the Costco Tillamook cheddar and my girlfriend loves the whipped cream we get from there. I used to drink 2-4 cups of whole milk / day when paying off my student loans and bulking but it seemed to affect my stomach poorly. So I switched to almond milk for my protein shakes.

Some of my favorite ways to make tasty chicken + rice dishes from Costco is the Maya Kaimal simmer sauce the frozen stir fry vegetable mix. The simmer sauce isn't the cheapest option, but I pay extra to make my normally boring/cheap food taste good enough to eat for 5+ days straight. I use my pressure cooker and end up with super tasty Indian meals without the chicken being overcooked.

Kirkland Signature unsalted mixed nuts are also a lifesaver and a part of my daily breakfast. Decent calories / dollar (400 ish depending on the price) but great nutrition density.

[toasterlovin]

I love people who geek out about optimizing their diet.

> The simmer sauce isn't the cheapest option, but I pay extra to make my normally boring/cheap food taste good enough to eat for 5+ days straight

This is a great example of something that is more expensive in theory, but probably cheaper in practice, since it increases overall adherence to your diet plan.

> I love the Costco Tillamook cheddar

If you can't do lactose, then the pricing on Tillamook cheddar is basically the protein & fat portion of milk, without the very cheap carb calories. Carbs are always cheap to add via other sources anyway...

[junar]

Have you tried lactose-free milk and/or lactase pills? I've tried various types of plant milks, but I'm never satisfied by the taste.