High-protein diets have become increasingly popular over the years as people become more conscious with their overall health and dietary selections.
It’s a very versatile diet for those who want to pack on muscle or lose weight, as it’s the main source of amino acids (the main building blocks of muscle) and keeps you full for a longer time than carbs and fats.
However, when people think of protein, meat options such as chicken, beef, and fish immediately come to mind.
As someone who’s actively building muscle, I sometimes do get tired of eating meat repetitively. Here are some protein-packed snacks that I enjoy when I want to take a break from eating meat!
1. Greek yogurt
This stuff is a game changer. It packs a whopping 10g of protein per 100g. That’s about 4 tablespoons of yogurt giving the same amount of protein in 2 small eggs.
I love having it during breakfast with some fruits or granola. One thing to watch out for is that regular greek yogurt is packed with fat, so get the fat-free option if you’re trying to lose weight.
2. Tofu
Containing 8g of protein per 100g, tofu is a great source of protein. The best part about tofu is that it doesn’t have any flavour to it so it absorbs any sauce that you cook it in.
I personally like to have mine as a stir fry dish with vegetables. When you shop for it go for firm tofu as it holds its shape better.
3. Edamame
While they look like every other vegetable, you’d be surprised they have 11g of protein per 100g.
All you have to do is boil them skin on until they’re soft, then season with some salt. You can then just put them into your mouth, and the edamame pops out smoothly.
If you prefer, you can pop them out first before eating, but I find it more fun to eat them skin on. It’s a great source of fiber too!
4. Cottage cheese
Cottage cheese is much higher in protein, with 11g of protein per 100g. It’s also got significantly lower fat content than regular cheese.
I love having it on toast with ham or eggs, as it’s just as creamy as regular cheese with the added protein.
The texture is something you’d have to get used to, as it is curdier than regular cheese. But it’s worth it I swear!
5. Peanut butter
You read that right—peanut butter. It’s got 25g of protein per 100g.
The downside to peanut butter is that it’s extremely high in fat content too, so watch how much you spread.
It’s a great option if you can afford the calories; if not, limit the amount and get the unsweetened option.
6. Cannellini beans
Trust me on this one. They pack a good 7.5g of protein per 100g and just like tofu, they don’t really taste like anything, which means it takes on any flavour you pair it with!
My favourite way of cooking it is with canned tomatoes with Italian seasoning. I then pair this rich and hearty bean stew with toasts, just like a shakshuka.
7. Tempeh
You may not have heard of tempeh, but it’s basically fermented soybeans. It’s soft but has a chew, and it’s got this nice nutty flavour. It’s very high in protein at 19g per 100g.
Since it’s traditionally an Asian ingredient, I like cooking it as a stir fry, but having it on its own after pan-frying is still a great quick snack option.
I hope you found this article helpful and discovered some new high-protein options to try!