A cheap option for one meal would be a large serving of rice and beans with 2–3 eggs, topped with a little cooking oil and served with some vegetables. The rice and beans provide most of the calories and carbs, while the eggs add protein and fat. It’s simple, filling, and much cheaper than meals ...

I agree that the trend over time is much more useful than trying to find a perfect calorie number from the start. I’d also track body weight alongside training performance and waist measurements, since a fast increase in weight without a similar improvement in strength or performance could be a sign ...