Whether it’s fueling up before hitting the gym or taking a mid-day snack
break to avoid the 2 o’clock lull, high-protein snacks are the tastiest
way to keep on going. Protein snacks are the perfect way to fill up just enough, and give us longer-lasting energy than the usual, carb-heavy options.
Cottage-Style Fruit: Top ½ cup cottage cheese with ½ cup of your favorite fruit. Why not try some superfoods? Bananas, mixed berries, and melon are some great choices.
Mixed Nuts or Trail Mix: This
is a favorite in the Greatist office. Mixed nuts are an easy way to get
a delicious dose of protein in a convenient, shelf-stable package. Try a
mixed bunch for variety and a combo with dried fruit for some added
sweetness. The best bang for your protein buck? Almonds and pistachios are high up there in protein while comparably lower in saturated fat than their nutty peers
Pumpkin Seeds: Those
orange gourds aren’t just for Halloween. The pumpkin insides, scooped
out to make room for spooky faces, can actually make a healthy little
snack once they’re washed, dried, and nicely roasted! Just ½ cup of pumpkin seeds has about 14 grams of protein — the perfect pre-workout snack!
Hard-Boiled Egg: Inexpensive and loaded with nutrients, eggs are
one of the best ways to get a healthy dose of protein. Try hard boiling
and pre-peeling a dozen at the start of the week and throw one in a
small Tupperware container each day for an easy on-the-go snack.
(Feeling extra famished? Slice the egg and place it on a piece of
whole-wheat bread.)
Nut Butter Boat: Any
vehicle for nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew, perhaps?) is
perfection in our book. Try loading a few celery sticks with 1
tablespoon of any nut butter topped with a few whole almonds or raisins
(oh yeah, we went there). If you’re not a fan of celery, try scooping
out the middle of an apple and fill it with a nut buttery surprise!
Mini Bean-and-Cheese Quesadilla: It
might take an extra minute to prep, but combining these two high-protein
treats is worth it! Fold ½ cup black beans, 1 tablespoon salsa, and 1
slice cheddar cheese in a small soft tortilla. Cook in a dry nonstick
pan until cheese is melted and tortilla is lightly browned. Wrap in foil
and stick in a plastic baggie for easy transport.
Hummus Dippers: How’s this for an
unconventional use of a travel coffee mug: Put 2 tablespoons of a
favorite hummus in the bottom of the container. Stick a handful of
vegetable sticks (carrots, celery, and snow peas are a great mix!)
vertically in the hummus, screw on the top, and throw in a purse or gym
bag for an easy, on-the-go, super-healthy snack.
Chocolate Milk: No, we're not going back to preschool. Low-fat chocolate milk is actually a great source of high-quality protein (especially post-workout)!
Try keeping a single-serving, shelf-stable box in your gym bag (or
purse) for snack attack emergencies — just try to find one that’s also
low in sugar!
For more snacks and the rest of the article click here: 31 Healthy and Portable High Protein Snacks
Best Teen Diets recommends healthy well balanced eating that includes
fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and low-fat or fat-free
dairy. We offer nutrition information for teens, parents and educators
that emphasizes the importance of healthy eating for teens. For more
information visit www.bestteendiets.org
