If you’re hitting the gym working on your fitness, or if you’re looking for a guilt-free 3pm pick-me-up, it’s a good idea to make sure that snack attack is packing the protein.
Why?
Focusing on getting in protein isn’t just for the Zyzz’s of our universe.
The word ‘protein’ comes from the Greek word protos, which translates to ‘first’. It’s the essential nutrient that helps to build new cells, maintain tissue and synthesise minerals, facilitating your body’s basic functions. Your hair, skin and nails are made up of protein (keratin), your muscles are packed full of it and the blood pumping through your flesh prison right now contains it, too.
u after 1 too many almonds
So it’s fairly important. Here are a few easy-to-pack snacks to work into your diet.
EDAMAME
“Beans, beans, the magical fruit, the more you eat, the more you get swole.”
britney approves
You’ve probably eaten edamame as an appetiser at a Japanese restaurant. These crunchy, fuzzy pods are protein personified. For every 100grams of them you eat, you’ll tuck away 11 grams of protes.
HARD BOILED EGGS
One big ol’ boiled chicken egg boasts around 6 grams of protein. They’re super easy to prepare. After boiling, chuck a batch in the fridge and pack them in your lunchbox throughout the week. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, if you’re fancy like that.
satisfaction
Just, whatever you do, don’t be the person munching these on the train. It’s not fair. On any of us.
ALMONDS
Yum!
Almonds really hit that sweet spot between being really healthy and being scrumptious. One handful of the suckers has about 6 grams of protein, a tonne of good fats and only 162 calories. That’s certified #snackgoals.
GREEK YOGURT
Regular yogurt packs around 7 to 9 grams of protein per serve.
sorry folks, greek’s better than gogurt
The thicker, Greek variety of yogurt pulverises this puncy number, with an average of 15 – 20 grams. Winner!
The texture and taste of greek yogurt means it can be eaten by itself, or splurted across pizzas, used as a dip for carrot and a dressing on salad.
CASHEWS
Next aboard the nut train heading straight to gainsville is the cashew. Bean-like in composition, with smooth curves and a killer tan, the cashew is the ultimate in nutritious deliciousness.
dees nuts
You’ll find close to 5 grams of protein in a handful of these buttery nuts. Stick with the unsalted variety though.
BROAD BEANS
Appropriately named, cause you’ll have trouble fitting through doors after chowing down on these legumes.
Nah, but seriously, per cup, broad beans boast 13 grams of protein.
They’re also known as fava beans, faba beans, field beans, bell bean and tic bean.
You can buy them fresh in their encasing or get them in a tin at the supermarket. Sprinkle them over salads, grind them into a spread with pesto or pop ’em into a ragout. (Saveur is where I found all those recipes, check em out, they’re great.)
HEMP SEEDS
Don’t get too excited. You will not get high from these.
These teensy superfood nuggets are very popular on the health circuit. They kinda looks like lemon pips, they’re incredibly high in plant protein and just one tablespoons of these slippery little suckers provides a whopping 11 grams of protein.
As the Sydney Morning Herald explains, they’ve copped a bad wrap ’cause of their origins and aren’t available at the supermarket. You can buy them online though. Again, they won’t get you stoned, so don’t bother wasting them in ya hash brownies.
COTTAGE CHEESE
god bless americans
No, I didn’t just put this in as in excuse to feature an iconic Borat clip. Yes, cottage cheese is a winning protein-packed snack.
There’s only 98 cals per 100 grams, and 11 of those grams at protein.
Happy snacking, you health nuts.
Photo: Cool Hand Luke.
