Healthy Protein Snacks and Meals

Protein. We all need it, but sometimes we're not sure how to get it. No worries, that's what this list is for! Here's a bunch of healthy protein snacks and meals that you can easily make to power you through your workout and daily life.

 

Hard-boiled Eggs

Start your day off right with some good-old-fashioned hard-boiled eggs. In addition to the protein, eggs also have B vitamins and a host of trace minerals that will keep you healthy. Plus, they're easy to make.

 

Cottage Cheese

Now this is a heavy hitter. Cottage cheese has a ton of protein, as well as calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12 and riboflavin. That's a lot of good stuff! You can eat cottage cheese by itself, or with some extra pizazz.

 

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Like cottage cheese, Greek yogurt contains both protein and calcium. By adding some granola and berries you can spice up your snack and make sure you're getting the nutrients you need in a tasty manner.

 

Chia Seed Pudding

This dish is simple enough, just soak some chia seeds in milk until the mixture reaches a pudding consistency. Throw in some vanilla flavoring to make the protein and omega-3 fatty acids go down smoother.

 

Edamame

Edamame is a steamed meal made of immature soybeans still in their pod. All you do is microwave them and add some spices and seasoning to get their benefits. You're talking vitamin K, folate and a bunch of other minerals that all make edamame a healthy protein snack.

 

Homemade Granola

Buying granola bars from the store can be a dangerous endeavor. A lot of the time companies will add a ton of sugar, which you definitely don't want. Make your own by combining roller oats, nuts and honey. Finish off your bar by baking it until it hardens.

 

Trail Mix

Now this is a classic! Throw together some dried fruit, nuts, unsweetened dark chocolate and grains to make a perfect healthy and tasty snack. For your choice of nuts, you might want to choose almonds or pistachios over walnuts or cashews, since they have more protein. Beware of the store-prepared trail mix. They can be loaded with unhealthy ingredients, added sugar and too much salt. Also, use caution with dried fruit because it contains a lot of sugar.

 

Black Bean Hummus

Everyone loves beans, and this dish is your chance to prove it. Black beans are rich in protein, and you can easily combine them with cottage cheese and some almond butter to drive that healthiness home. Add some cumin, parsley or orange zest for some more flavor.

 

Roasted Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a good source of protein and fiber, as well as a lot of other nutrients. Manganese, iron, magnesium, copper, phosphorus and folate, they're all there. Throw the chickpeas in the oven and roast them for a while with some seasoning and olive oil.

 

Nuts

As was mentioned before, nuts are a really good source of protein. Almonds are an especially popular choice. Just watch out for the calories that come along with eating too many.

 

Cheese

String cheese or cubed cheese is a delicious, quick and healthy snack. Just don’t eat more than a serving size to keep those calories in check. Remember, you are trying to nourish your body, not stuff your stomach.

 

Jerky

Jerky is simply meat trimmed of fat that has been cut into strips and dried. Lots of meats work including beef, chicken, turkey and salmon. Store-bought versions usually have a bunch of added sugar, so make sure you check the calorie count before buying.

 

There's your list! Try out any of the above-mentioned healthy protein snacks to give your body the boost it needs.