Feeling hungry? That bag of potato chips you’ve been eyeing may be tempting, but you know it’ll only leave you sluggish and wanting more in an hour. Here’s the truth:Snacking isn’t your enemy in this scenario. It’s the kind of snack foods you’re eating. There are plenty of nutritious snacks out there, but if your goal is to feel full for hours, you’re going to need a major protein boost!
When we up the protein content in our snacks, we feel more satiated after meals. So when it’s time to have a proper meal, we’re less likely to overeat and derail our progress. Whether you’re on a low-carb, gluten-free, paleo, plant-based, or vegetarian diet, we’ve got plenty of high-protein snacks for you to try out. Let’s check them out!
Why Eat High Protein Snacks?
Getting enough protein in your diet does a lot more than just keep you full and satisfied. It plays an essential role in your overall health and well-being. So, what exactly are the health benefits of eating high-protein foods?
Essential Nutrients: Proteins are made up of essential amino acids. They repair and rebuild tissues, muscles, bones, and skin.
Muscle Growth: These amino acids also help increase muscle mass and strength. As we age, we lose our muscle mass, making daily tasks more difficult.
Weight Management: Protein takes more energy to digest compared to carbs and fats, making us burn more calories when on a high-protein diet.
Blood Sugar Control: Eating high-protein options can help regulate blood sugar levels, preventing spikes and crashes that could lead to cravings and overeating.
Increased Satiety: As mentioned earlier, protein helps keep us feeling fuller, longer. This is great if you’re trying to control your appetite or create a calorie deficit.
Of course, everyone’s individual needs are different, so we always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to see how much protein you should be eating.
11 Protein-Rich Snacks to Keep You Full Between Meals
Ready for some high-protein snack ideas? From sweet to savory, we’ve got a wide range of options that’ll satisfy every craving. Take a look!
1. Protein-Packed Energy Bites
Simple and satiating, these Protein-Packed Energy Bites are full of delicious flavor and contain 13 grams of protein per serving. They’re made with whole foods like dates, peanut butter, walnuts, and coconut flakes. And to up the protein level even more, we added vanilla protein powder. No-bake and easy to make, these balls of yum are the ideal mid-day protein snack!
2. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Who says you can’t turn a popular game-day appetizer into your own personal high-protein snack? With this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, you can have something creamy and flavorful to dunk your veggies in all week long. Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and lean chicken breast are the stars in this high-protein roster. It’s healthy, delicious, and 100% satisfying.
3. Quinoa Protein Bars
These Quinoa Protein Bars got all the good stuff: quinoa (hello fiber!), dates (nature’s candy), almonds and peanut butter (protein? check!), chocolate chips (for a little fun), and honey (nature’s sweetener). When blended together and combined, it’s pure snack heaven! They’re a great option before a workout or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
4. Low-Carb Turkey Club Lettuce Cups
When you could really go for a sandwich but don’t want all the carbs, these Low-Carb Turkey Lettuce Cups are swoopin’ in to save the day. It’s one of those low-carb snacks that doesn’t feel like a punishment and actually fills you up! The ground turkey combined with the turkey bacon, tomatoes, and red onion gives you that classic turkey club taste without wishing there was bread. It’s genius!
5. Chocolate Yogurt Parfait
If you’re looking for a balanced snack with a good source of fiber, this Chocolate Yogurt Parfait has got your back. It’s sweet, satiating, and a great mix of creamy and crunchy, thanks to the plain Greek yogurt and chocolate granola. When you’re fantasizing about chocolate cake or ice cream, this parfait can be your go-to high-protein alternative.
6. Clean Eating Loaded Chicken Nachos
These Clean Eating Loaded Chicken Nachos are an excellent high-protein snack option that tastes like it’s bad for you but is actually full of important nutrients. The onions, black beans, and corn provide a good mix of fiber and protein, while the chicken adds another kick of protein that’ll keep you feeling full and satisfied. Use gluten-free tortilla chips to make it gluten-free!
7. 4-Ingredient Protein Fudge Brownies
Brownies, the ultimate culprit for cravings, have finally met their match with these 4-Ingredient Protein Fudge Brownies. This protein-packed snack is made with bananas, peanut butter, dark chocolate protein powder, and mini chocolate chips to create the richest and most luscious brownies ever! It’s honestly hard to believe they’re actually good for you!
8. 15-Minute Spicy Garlic Ginger Shrimp
This 15-Minute Spicy Garlic Shrimp recipe is straight-up protein on a plate. Shrimp cooks up super fast, making this a quick snack that packs on 23 grams of protein per serving. The garlic-ginger sauce has enough vibrant flavor to jazz up any ordinary weekday, and you could even serve it over rice or quinoa for something more filling.
9. The Perfect Protein Muffins
Nothing is quite like a warm, crumbly muffin! And these are The Perfect Protein Muffins to curb your cravings for delicious baked goods. They’re protein-packed with Greek yogurt, egg whites, almond milk, and protein powder, making them a great snack choice whenever you crave something sweet and comforting.
10. The Best Cucumber Tuna Sandwiches
These adorable bite-sized delights are effortless to make, fun to eat, and taste delish. They are The Best Cucumber Tuna Sandwiches, after all! This easy snack uses sliced cucumbers in place of bread and fills them with a creamy tuna salad. Make them even more protein-packed, and use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise!
11. PB and J Protein Shake
The classic flavors of your favorite nostalgic sammie, but as a protein shake! This PB and J Protein Shake is a wonderful blend of rich and creamy peanut butter (a very protein-rich food) and frozen fruit that mimics sweet, gooey jelly. Add a scoop of protein powder, some almond milk, and ice, and you have a delicious and nutritious snack or meal replacement.
Get More High-Protein Recipes
Can’t get enough protein? Neither can we! If you enjoy these high-protein snacks, you might also like these protein-packed meals:
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