High-Protein Snacks
Looking for High-protein snacks that are low in sugar? You’ll love these Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls. And if you find yourself reaching for a snack to keep from getting “hangry” there can be several root causes to being “hangry” that you may want to investigate. For example, how does your body deal with blood sugar? Check out my article 10 Warning Signs Your Body is Giving You.
As I know firsthand, being “hangry” can be a nightmare for yourself and everyone around you, right? So to keep the “food cranks” at bay, I aim to eat regular meals with plenty of quality organic, wild-caught, or grass-fed protein and healthy fats (think fruit oils like olive, avocado, and coconut) to keep me satiated without snacking between meals.
That being said, I’m also prepared with high-protein snacks if I’m out and about, running errands, etc. So I don’t get caught having to eat junk food. I keep a stash of healthy, high-protein snacks on hand: in my purse, office, and car.
I also try to make sure my high-protein snacks contain healthy fats and are low in sugar. That way they “stick to my ribs” longer and help me get through the day without spiking and crashing my blood sugar.
High-Protein Snacks & Bars
Have you noticed how many new “healthy” protein bars are on the market these days? I’ve tried a few of them. However, most of them are still very high in sugar and are really more like candy bars. So it’s essential to read the ingredient label for sugar content (especially added sugar). And there is a lot of “false advertising” when it comes to just how “healthy” those protein or energy bars really are.
As a reminder, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not eating more than 25 grams of added sugar a day (6 teaspoons.) And some of these protein bars have more than 15 grams of added sugar in one small bar! Yikes!
Many of them also use soy protein which I avoid because it’s highly processed and likely GMO. If the label doesn’t say “organic” or “non-GMO” any soy ingredient listed is almost guaranteed to be GMO. In fact, soy protein isolate is a highly processed form of soy made from soybeans that have been soaked in alcohol or another solvent to remove their fiber and sugar, before dehydrating them to form a powder. No thanks.
And personally, I prefer savory snacks over sweet snacks. Luckily, there are a few packaged protein bars in savory flavors, like curry, teriyaki, or garlic and herb. But they are usually very high in processed sodium (table salt), which has been bleached and had other vital minerals removed) and is about as unhealthy as sugar. Instead, when buying any packaged/processed foods, you’ll want to look for sea salt, which is full of healthy trace minerals.
Healthy Vegan Protein Snacks
When I was vegan it was more difficult to find high-protein snacks. Now that I eat some organic animal protein again, it’s a bit easier. However, I still prefer a mostly plant-based diet.
Nuts and seeds are a great snack, as are veggies and hummus, or apples and almond butter. And I’m always on the lookout for new things to try. So when I saw a recipe for Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls, I gave them a try. And of course, I modified them a bit to better suit my taste, because I can never follow a recipe exactly, LOL!
Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry oatmeal (like Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats)
- 2/3 cup organic toasted coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup organic peanut butter
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or cacao nibs optional
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed.
- Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
- Once chilled, roll into balls about 1″ in diameter.
- Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Notes
Please leave a comment to let us know how you liked these. What ingredients did you substitute?
