Are you feeling sluggish in the afternoon and tempted to reach for your favorite sugary, processed snack foods? Instead of trying to forgo a pick me up altogether, you may need more protein in your diet. Studies show that protein helps fuel every cell in your body, aids in repair, and helps bolster muscle growth and energy.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to fuel your day with high-protein snacks that are as satisfying to eat as they are rewarding for your body. Here's where to get started.
Reach for the Whey Protein
Before you start whipping up your protein-packed snacks, reach for your WAYT whey protein powder. It's easy to digest and helps fuel your protein while supercharging your immunity by promoting glutathione production. You can add it to smoothies, yogurts, salads, and more for an added protein boost.
Greek Yogurt, Banana and Quinoa Bowl
Jazz up your Greek yogurt with some quinoa and pack in the protein at the same time. Whip up 3/4 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa, and a 1/2 banana. If you want it to taste even sweeter, add a tablespoon of peanut butter and sprinkle with coconut, enhancing your protein and quality fat intake.
Hard-Boiled Eggs with Paprika
Hard-boiled eggs are an easy, portable snack with 6 grams per egg. A little salt is all you need to add some flavor, or you can sprinkle on the paprika to warm up the flavor and a pinch of sweetness.
Cottage Cheese and Fruit
A scoop of cottage cheese and some tasty fruit helps fuel your afternoon with more protein and flavor. Some fruit is also higher in protein than others, like guava, apricots, and blackberries. If you need more texture, add some chia seeds for a slight crunch and even more protein powder.
Edamame with Sea Salt
Edamame sprinkled with sea salt is surprisingly satisfying and fun to eat. You'll get up to 17 grams of protein per serving in this soybean-based snack. Just boil or steam them and serve with salt or a little pepper to enhance their flavor.
Protein Shake
If you're feeling less than enthused about your usual afternoon snacks, a protein shake does wonders for your motivation to eat healthier. Start with a cup of frozen fruit, like berries, and blend in two servings of our whey protein powder and nut butter. You can also add a cup of liquid almond milk to finish off your afternoon snack.
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are a quality source of protein, with about 6 grams per serving. Boost your nutrition intake and delight your tastebuds with a few scoops of quinoa, cucumber, hemp seeds, parsley, and red onion for a snack that packs in 25 grams of protein.
Apple with Peanut Butter
A simple apple with a scoop of peanut butter blends sweet and salty with around 8 grams of protein. Beyond giving you more energy, the combo could help you reduce inflammation, promote heart health, and help you get a handle on your blood sugar.
Almonds
Ten almonds have around 2.5 grams of protein and are crunchy and satisfying to eat. A cup of almonds has up to 529 calories, so be mindful of how many nuts you consume. You can also pair your almonds with Greek yogurt to give your snack a more satisfying texture and flavor.
Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
If you love making healthy chicken salad, you could earn up to 16 grams of protein. Instead of using a processed flour wrap, roll them up with a piece of crunchy lettuce. Swap out mayo for a light version or plain yogurt, and add some dijon mustard, fresh parsley, dill, and basil to add flavor.
Flaxseed Crackers, Veggies, and Hummus
Grab some store-bought keto flaxseed crackers, hummus, and crunchy veggies like celery and carrots to feel like you're indulging in a meal. You'll get lots of nutrition, coupled with dense protein that could equal up to 6 grams.
Next Steps
Ready to optimize your workouts, recovery, and overall health by adding more BCAAs and other supplements to your diet? Start shopping our supplements or comprehensive health programs to pick up organic greens, multivitamins, probiotics, and more.