High-protein snacks are a great supplement to any healthy diet. Protein rich snacks can help you feel fuller longer, recover faster from a tough workout, and help ensure that you get enough protein in your daily diet for optimal health. U.S. Food and Drug Administration labels are a great way to check how much protein your favorite snacks have. You can always ask your personal fitness trainer or a sports nutritionist for ideas, too. Below are five ideas for high-protein snacks:
1. Hard-boiled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs are easy to make and easy to travel with, making them a great high-protein option for snacking. They can also be added into many common meals to increase your protein intake. You can mash one on top of toast or chop one up to add to a salad. You can add them to lunch boxes for an extra serving of protein. You can make a bunch at one time and store them in the refrigerator so when hunger pangs strike, you have a healthy protein rich choice to snack on.
2. Nuts. Nuts are another high-protein snack option that also travels well. There are many different varieties of nuts, not just peanuts. You can add almonds, walnuts, Brazilian nuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts to help give yourself an assortment to choose from. Nuts can be eaten in their raw form as is or sprinkled into oatmeal, cereals, and salads. The nutrition label specifications vary slightly between the different varieties of nuts, but all are great sources of protein.
3. Seeds. Seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, chia, and hemp seeds are all great snacks that provide a protein rich treat. Seeds also have omega fatty acids that provide nutrition for good hair and skin. Seeds can be eaten by themselves or added into salads and smoothies. They can also be ground into butters and enjoyed with crackers or veggie sticks.
4. Protein shakes. Creatine or whey protein shakes can help fill in the gaps of your daily protein requirements. Soy protein shakes can also be used if you prefer a non-dairy version. Snack shakes are usually between 100-150 calories per serving so they provide a perfect size for snacking. They also travel well and can be prepared anywhere with a shaker bottle and no refrigeration required.
5. Greek yogurts. Greek yogurts provide higher protein than traditional yogurts. If you purchase the plain flavor, they don’t have any flavor enhancers or sweeteners added so your snack choice is truly a healthy snack.
There are many other high-protein snack ideas available. If you have food sensitivities or allergies, working with a trainer who has a certification in sports nutrition can provide you with a list of healthy high-protein options that will work best for your individual needs and goals.
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