Plus tips for adding a good source of protein to your favorite snacks.
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When yourehungry between mealsand need a trulysatisfying snack, that snack needs to include protein.
Why Eat High-Protein Snacks?
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She recommends snacks with unprocessed carbohydrates, plant-based protein, and healthy fats.
Tons of plants and plant-based foods contain plenty of hearty protein.
How Much Protein Do You Need Per Day?
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(Divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to convert to kilograms).
soybeans (and other soy products, like tofu), is that they’re complete proteins.
This means they contain all nine essential amino acids, a rarity among plant foods.
Grace Elkus
One cup of edamame contains about18 grams of protein!
Nowhere near a stove or microwave?
Stock up on snack packs like Seapoint Farms Dry-Roasted Edamame.
Jen Causey
Or try finishing with chili oil, scallions, and lemon zest.
One cup of chickpeas delivers over14 grams of protein.
if you’re sick of croutons, crispy chickpeas are a next-level salad topper!).
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Boiled Eggs
One large egg contains over6 grams of protein.
No time to wait for the water to heat?
But you’ve got the option to also quell afternoon hunger with a few forkfuls of either.
Greg DuPree
Protein-Packed Smoothie
Fred Hardy
Make your in-between-meal smoothies work even harder by incorporating solid protein sources.
A 3-ounce serving of sardines (about one tin) will get you close to23 grams of protein.
), pistachios, or a combo of your favorites for instantaneous protein in a pinch.
Jen Causey
Start with convenient and protein-filledcanned beans, likeblack beansorpinto beans, and build from there.
Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seeds are a complete protein and provide all nine essential amino acids.
Slather a tablespoon or two of nut butter over some apple slices, celery sticks, or banana.
Fred Hardy
Or top both on some toast for a slightly heartier snack.
Sweet tooth killing you?
Try snacking on three or four pitted medjool dates with a swipe of peanut or almond butterthey’re divine.
Greg DuPree
Check out moreprotein-packed dessertsfor ahealthy sweet treat.
No need to get fancy, it’s for your eyes only.
A stick or two of string cheese (up to14 grams of protein) and an apple works great.
Greg DuPree
A 100-gram serving of smoked salmon gets you over18 grams of protein.
), and chopped pistachios, all of which provide a great boost of protein.
Leftovers can be unsung snack heroes, especially if they’re high in protein.
Jennifer Causey
Pickles and Cheese
Pickle lovers, this one’s for you.
Just an ounce of cheddar cheese, for example, has about7 grams of protein.
It’s a win, win!
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Just a half-cup serving of refried beans offers more than5 grams of protein.
Stuff them with veggies, cheese, and/or meat, plus any seasonings you love, and enjoy.
“I love to make a batch of chicken (or tuna or chickpea!)
Antonis Achilleos
salad for the week,” she says.
“I use it for sandwiches at lunch or with crackers and raw veggies as a snack.
Try Real Simple’s chicken salad with roasted grapes and almonds next week!”
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“Nothing is easier than pouring a glass of milk,” she says.
“Pair milk with some peanut butter and fruit or some nuts for even more protein.”
Caitlin Bensel
Fred Hardy
Victor Protasio
Jennifer Causey
Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
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