Nutrition Tips
8 Protein Snack Foods That Fill You Up
Jan
Healthy snack ideas that keep you full and boost your chances for weight loss success
Reevaluate your snack
Let us count the reasons that we’re obsessed with protein. high-protein foods take more work to chew and longer to leave your stomach, so you take more time eating (and have more time to register that you’re full); it’s a potent calorie burner that plays a role in nearly every body function, from building shapely biceps to regulating sleep and boosting immunity; protein also slows down the release of carbs and fat into your bloodstream. Basically, protein is an essential ingredient for losing weight and keeping it off.
Thing is, eating a steak or a piece of chicken in your car or at your desk at work isn’t exactly realistic, so most of the foods we choose for single-fisted consumption are highly processed and lacking in this essential nutrient (like that candy bar you’re clutching). Here are 8 grab-and-go proteins to take with you for a midday snack.
Protein Snack 1 – Fat-free or low-fat milk
It’s the perfect pre- or post-exercise snack. You can stock up on small containers of shelf-stable milk (such as Horizon’s 8-ounce cartons); they don’t even need to be refrigerated. Two cups deliver more than 16 g of high-quality, filling protein that will satisfy your hunger and help keep you hydrated. In one study, women who had 18 g of protein 20 minutes before strength-training torched almost 9% more calories at rest 24 hours later than if they didn’t drink the pre-workout milk.
Protein Snack 2 – Hard-cooked eggs
Eggs really are one of nature’s most perfect portable foods. Packed with protein and antioxidants, they satisfy your hunger and improve your health. Try Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled eggs for a no-muss, no-fuss snack or meal. Along with the usual protein punch, these edible orbs also deliver 10 times more vitamin E and two times more omega-3 fatty acids than other eggs.
Protein Snack 3 – Protein Powder
By itself, it’s not high in chewiness, but in a fix, it will help pump up your protein and give you a metabolic bump. Keep a Whey to Go Protein powder in your pantry (or even in your desk at work) for a quick protein fix. It comes in four flavors, mixes well with water, and delivers 16 grams of protein for only 70 calories.
Protein Snack 4 – Peanut butter
Individually portioned packages of peanut butters, such as Justin’s nut butters, are easy to stash in your gym bag and come in tasty flavors like honey peanut and chocolate almond. Just one squeezable pack contains 8 g of protein
Protein Snack 5 – Protein bars
They are the perfect filling, portable snack to save you from a desperate trip to the vending machine or drive-thru. Pick up bars that are about 200 calories each, such as Luna Protein bars (170 to 190 calories, 12 g of protein) or Honey Stinger 10-gram protein bars (190 to 200 calories, 10 g of protein), to stash in your purse or work bag.
Protein Snack 6 – String cheese
Not just for kids’ lunch boxes, string cheese and other portioned cheeses such as The Laughing Cow Wedges or Mini Babybels are the perfect complements to an apple, pear, or bunch of grapes. These low-calorie protein packs are satisfying enough to carry you through to your next meal. One string cheese can offer up to 9 grams of protein.
Protein Snack 7 – String cheese
Not just for kids’ lunch boxes, string cheese and other portioned cheeses such as The Laughing Cow Wedges or Mini Babybels are the perfect complements to an apple, pear, or bunch of grapes. These low-calorie protein packs are satisfying enough to carry you through to your next meal. One string cheese can offer up to 9 grams of protein.
Protein Snack 8 – Jerky
Jerky (beef or turkey) makes a great snack because it’s low in fat, lean and savory, and high in the chewiness factor (look for lower-sodium varieties if you’re concerned about the salt). You can find a wide variety of flavors, from teriyaki to barbecue. You can also find chicken and buffalo (and, in certain parts of the country, salmon) jerky. Jerky packs 10 g of protein and about 100 calories per ounce.
