Anna Maria Richards
It’s the middle of the day, and you’re feeling a little hungry. You have little to no time to stop for a meal. But you know that eating something now will help keep your energy levels up until dinnertime.
What do you do? Don’t worry—we’ve got 11 high-protein snacks perfect for keeping hunger at bay.
The importance of protein in our bodies
Proteins are vital to maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. They provide us with the energy that we need during physical activities, like exercising or playing sports.
Proteins also help repair cells within the body when they become damaged from free radicals (toxins). Without enough protein, it is difficult for your immune system to fight off diseases and infections. This may lead to developing anaemia or other severe health conditions such as diabetes type 2.
In addition, proteins help to control your appetite by reducing those pesky, uncontrollable food cravings. Prevent little trips into the kitchen where all kinds of trouble start to happen. With fewer junk-food temptations around, there will be no need to sit down every night after work feeling completely stuffed.
Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these quick eats are loaded with protein that fuels your body.
Protein packed snacks
1. Greek yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is a great high-protein snack. It makes for an excellent and casual afternoon treat that isn’t too sweet – like ice cream. It still has a delicate creaminess while also containing lots of nutrients to help you get through your day without feeling hungry again soon after eating it.
2. Hard-boiled eggs
Hard-boiled eggs make for an excellent protein-packed snack. They’re easy to cook, contain no carbs or sugar, which can help you lose weight, and are good for your overall health.
Boiling an egg is simple: put it in boiling water so that the white is cooked through, but the yolk remains your preferred level of runny.
3. A handful of almonds
Almonds contain high amounts of protein without any fat or carbs, making them an excellent snack option; there are about 6 grams of protein in one serving. The benefits of consuming almonds include better brain function as well as weight loss support when eaten consistently.
Almond nuts also help keep you full. It takes the body more calories/energy to digest plant-based foods than animal products, making almonds a great snack for weight loss programs.
4. Edamame
Edamame is an immature soybean that has not yet grown to full size. Soybeans are packed with nutrients that can help keep our bodies healthy and strong. They contain protein, vitamin B1-B6, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, calcium phosphorus, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Edamame does not have many calories, only 165 per 100 grams serving size. If you want a light snack in the evening or after dinner, try eating some edamame, either steam-cooked or boiled – both taste great.
5. Apples and peanut butter
This pairing gives you a little extra protein to keep you full for longer, and it’ll help curb your appetite between meals. Apples are considered healthy because they have good fibre that aids digestion, while peanuts add extra protein. Peanut butter is a delicious snack, but it’s best enjoyed if you eat in moderation.
6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is an easy, filling breakfast or snack. Oatmeal contains 7 grams of protein per serving and thus makes it a great high-protein option for your diet plan. It’s also cheap, which means you won’t have to spend too much money on groceries!
7. Granola
Granola is a good snack for people who are looking to increase their protein intake. There are several ways to prepare it.
A simple way to make granola for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up involves heating some ghee and mix it with oats and nuts of your choice. If you prefer it sweet, add fruit, cinnamon powder and syrup until the desired consistency.
Granola can be very calorie-dense, so it’s important to stick with the recommended serving size of ½ cup.
8. Chia pudding
Chia pudding is a high-protein snack that can be consumed any time of day. Containing 3 grams of protein per 1/4 cup serving, thus a perfect addition to any meal or as an afternoon snack between meals!
9. Raw vegetables
Eating raw vegetables may not sound like a highly appealing snack option at first. However, these foods contain essential nutrients for our bodies, such as fibre and protein, which will help satisfy your hunger between meals without giving you empty calories or making you feel sluggish afterwards.
One raw, medium-sized carrot has 1 gram of complete proteins. Make sure you eat a range of vegetables in different colours. Colourful vegetables contain more antioxidants than those without colour. Get creative with your vegetable choices, and you can find some great combinations!
10. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is a great, high-protein snack. It’s packed with healthy carbs and fats as well as essential nutrients like calcium for strong bones.
11. Canned salmon
Canned salmon is a high-protein snack that can be enjoyed casually. It’s loaded with plenty of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients like calcium and potassium. Both are vital bone health-building components in your diet.
It can be purchased pre-seasoned or marinated, so you don’t have to worry about over-salting your food by accident. Canned salmon has long been used as an easy to prepare yet nutritious meal for many people worldwide.
Conclusion
Protein snacks are a great way to keep your hunger at bay and provide energy throughout the day so that you stay productive. Try some of these protein snacks if you need something quick! We hope this list has given you several ideas on how to fuel up during those busy days without compromising taste or nutrition. Which one will you try first?
