Are you constantly ravenous and struggling to achieve your nutrition goals? This could be due to a lack of protein in your diet. Most of us hit that mid-afternoon slump and reach for a packet of highly processed junk that leaves us feeling worse. Instead of resorting to hyperpalatable snack foods, be prepared and keep a few high protein options on hand at home or at work. Unsure which nutritious nibbles are out there? Read below. We’ll let you know our favourite protein snacks that will make you feel nourished, happy and satisfied.
Pro-Nuts
You’ll never want Krispy Kreme again after making this recipe. All you need is a silicone donut baking tray, NZProtein pancake mix and protein chocolate. Prepare the pancake mix as per the directions on the bag. You only need to add a bit of water and stir well. Instead of making pancakes though, pour the batter evenly into your donut tray instead. Bake those donuts in the oven at 180 degrees celsius for around 10 minutes or until they are slightly golden. You can test if they are done by using the tried and true skewer test. Poke a skewer into your donut and hope that it comes out clean. Once cooked, take them out of the oven and let them cool while you prepare the melted chocolate icing. Break your NZProtein chocolate up into small chunks and melt it in either the microwave or in a bowl over a pot of boiling water. Stir well as you do this. As soon as the chocolate resembles Willy Wonka’s river, take it out and prepare to ice those donuts. Dunk the top of each one into the melted chocolate and then place on a plate. Store these in the fridge so that they are ready to go whenever you get a hankering for a sweet protein treat.
Fruit & Veg With Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce
If you’re craving something a little more savoury, create a grazing platter with peanut butter dip. NZProtein powdered peanut butter contains over 48g of protein per 100g and goes perfectly with rice cakes, veggies and fruit. Getting some fibre alongside your protein does wonders for gut health and will also keep you feeling fuller for longer. To make this snack, cut up a range of veggies like celery, carrots and cucumber. Alternatively you could also use fruits like apples and pears. Next, stir 20g of powdered peanut butter up with two tablespoons of water. Use more liquid if you would like it to be super runny. Dip your crunchy veggies or cut fruit into the peanut butter dip and enjoy. Alternatively you could spread this nutty goodness on rice cakes, toast or drizzle it over a bowl of oats. The world is your oyster with this versatile product.
S’Mores Bowl
You’ll be begging for s’more after tasting this terrific treat. High protein s’mores bowls can be made using yoghurt, whey, NZProtein mallows and sugar free chocolate chips. All you need to do is plonk 200g of Greek or high protein yoghurt into a big bowl. Any unflavoured option from the supermarket will do. Next, thoroughly stir 20g of cinnamon donut flavour NZProtein whey into the yoghurt until it resembles a thick frosting. You could use any kind of protein powder but cinnamon donut gives it that biscuity flavour which is reminiscent of a s’more. After a minute or two of vigorous stirring, top the thick yoghurt with 50g of protein mallows and 10g of NZProtein dark chocolate chips. This bowl only takes a few minutes to prepare but will leave you feeling satisfied for hours. Feel free to enjoy it for breakfast, as a snack or after dinner as a decadent dessert.
Crunchy Hemp Hearts
Coming in at 35g of protein per 100g and full of omega-3s, hemp hearts are called a ‘superfood’ for a reason. They might not be the easiest ingredient to find and you don’t often see people munching on them as a snack but this ought to change. Not only are hemp hearts full of minerals like iron and zinc, they also have a rich nutty flavour similar to that of pine nuts. The protein content is much higher in hemp hearts compared to that of almonds and chia seeds. Additionally the type of protein found in them (called edestin) is easy to digest. Hemp hearts don’t require refrigeration so you can take them with you on the go, eat them at work or sneak them into the cinema. A 30g serve will get you 176 calories, 10g protein, 1g of fibre and plenty of calcium, iron and potassium. Tasty snacks don’t get much more nutrient dense than these!
Jelly & Ice Cream
This one does require some preparation in advance but it’s all worth it in the end. Grab some packets of NZProtein ice cream and jelly. Prepare the two mixes according to the instructions on the back. The jelly only needs a cheeky stir in boiling water and the ice cream requires a two minute beat with a small amount of liquid (water or milk if you prefer a creamier consistency). Set that jelly in the fridge and the ice cream in the freezer then wait a few hours. This delay is probably the hardest part, the rest of the prep is idiot proof. Once they have set, spoon half of your jelly and ice cream into a bowl and enjoy. Feel free to add some sugar free chocolate chips or protein chocolate if you want to create a dessert that is reminiscent of a Jelly Tip ice cream. You could even drizzle some sugar free sauce on top and turn it into a full blown sundae. This beautiful creation will net you at least 20g of protein (even more if you eat the whole thing or add high protein extras) while keeping your taste buds happy at the same time.
Frap-pro-cinnos
The only thing better than a Starbucks frap is a high protein version that you can make yourself. All you need is protein powder, ice, water or milk, whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Add a handful of ice, 250ml of any liquid and 30g of protein powder to a blender. Blend it up and pour it into your fanciest glass. Top with 8g of whipped cream and sprinkle that cinnamon on top for a bit of healthy garnish. Not only does this add to the aesthetic of the frap, cinnamon also comes with antioxidants and blood sugar lowering properties. If you can’t decide which flavour of protein to use, grab a few of our mini sample packets and experiment with them all! You could even sprinkle in some hemp hearts for added fibre, nutrients and crunch. Mixing your protein powder in a shaker is fine but turning it into a frapproccino is so much more fun! Give this a try and let us know which flavour of NZProtein powder is your favourite.
Chocolate Chip Protein Oats
This two ingredient option is ready in no time and can be eaten for any meal of the day. All you need is a packet of NZProtein oats and five grams of our sugar free chocolate chips. Make the oats according to the instructions on the back and have your sugar free chocolate chips ready to spoon on top. Ideally, sprinkle them on top while the oats are still piping hot and watch them turn into a pool of melty goodness. Our sachets of Proats are convenient, full of minerals (like selenium and calcium), come in three tasty flavours and contain a solid 22g of protein per serve. Combining them with the chocolate chips adds more decadence and flavour for very few calories. It is hard to believe something so tasty can have health benefits too.
Conclusion
If you think nutritious protein snacks are boring, you haven’t found the right ones yet. There are plenty of ways to satisfy your cravings without going overboard on the sugar, salt and calories. Try a protein frap, crunchy hemp hearts, protein donuts or an indulgent s’mores bowl. Eating healthy is only unappealing for those who lack creativity. Give some of our favourite high protein recipes a go and let us know what you think. We bet you’ll love them just as much as we do.
Written by Lauren Carruthers.