Building and maintaining muscle requires protein. However, muscle development doesn’t stop once your workout is over. After working out, consuming protein helps your body produce the enzymes necessary for important chemical reactions to occur. These enzymes play a key role in hormone regulation, blood and tissue fluid balance, and the production of antibodies that defend your body against bacteria and viruses. Since protein serves so many functions in the body, it’s always needed. Consuming protein at each meal and between meals—including high-protein snacks—is crucial for overall health, as well as for the development of muscle.
Snacks Are Important!
The amount of protein needed varies depending on the individual and their goals, but generally speaking, you should try to ingest 1.2–2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight every day. Yes, that’s more than the average RDA of 0.8 grams per kg of body weight, which we believe to be too low. Still, that’s what you essentially need in order to avoid becoming ill.
If it’ll be several hours or more between meals, high-protein snacks are essential to providing your body with the necessary amounts of protein and amino acids. Each serving of a high-protein snack should have at least 10 grams of protein, and it should be simple to prepare at home or on the move. Make sure the ingredients are ones you’re familiar with and keep an eye out for the added sugar content (limit it to 10 grams). Check out these homemade and store-bought high-protein snacks to help you get protein all day long.
#1. Hard Boiled Eggs
With an average of 6 to 7 grams of protein per egg, eggs are one of the greatest affordable protein sources. They’re versatile, you can prepare a frittata, shakshuka, or omelet. Hard boil half a dozen at the beginning of the week and store them in the fridge for on-the-go snacks.
The serving size of two eggs has 12 g of protein.
#2. Chomps Meat Sticks
High-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients, such as grass-fed beef, deer, and free-range, antibiotic-free turkey, are used to make Chomps meat sticks. You won’t suffer flavor fatigue with nine distinct varieties, including Italian-Style Beef and Pepperoni Seasoned Turkey. Additionally, they’re allergy-friendly, gluten-free, and fit within the paleo, keto, and Whole30 diets.
One pepperoni-seasoned turkey stick has 10 g of protein per serving.
#3. Kodiak Cakes Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
These protein balls are a simple, delectable way to consume protein in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, in the car, or on the trail. For delicious, nourishing snacking, they’re created with non-GMO ingredients and 100% whole grain oats. Additionally, they’re simple to make (simply add water and roll).
20 g of protein are in each serving (2 balls).