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Snacktime
I was approached the other day in between sessions and was asked, “What are some good snack options that have protein?” It wasn’t an easy of an answer as I thought it would be.
Nutritionists recommend that 5-6 small meals be eaten throughout the day in order to keep energy levels up. Some of those meals have to come in the form of snacks. I think the easiest way to determine what snacks to pick or make has to do with how much time you have. Let’s review some options.
- On the go- A food bar with extra protein is a must in this scenario. The one I like is ‘Organic Food Bar’s Protein’ bar. One bar is 330 calories with 22 grams of protein coming from almond butter and brown rice. The only downside is it contains 22 grams of sugar, making it a better choice for workout days than non-workout days. Either way, eating half of this bar will fill you up for a few hours before lunch. You can definitely taste the raisins here and the extra protein makes it a little gritty. Wash it down with some water or organic green tea. I have found this bar at The Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Foods.
- 5 minutes to spare- If you have 5 minutes you have two choices: make a protein shake if you are near a blender or get some Greek yogurt (Author’s note: At the risk of being guilty of bias, Greek yogurt is the best product in the world). The Greek yogurt I purchase is Trader Joe’s Greek Style Yogurt, the full-fat version, but most Greek yogurts should be ok here. I’ll put a little agave syrup on with some walnuts and there you have it. The other option is a protein shake which should have the best possible protein. The one I’m currently using is Harmonized Protein, again found in Whole Foods. For a basic shake, I take a scoop of the above protein, mix in some frozen berries, flaxmeal, Trader Joe’s Super Green powder with water and Trader Joe’s unfiltered apple juice.
Of course there are numerous other resources out there that go into more detail about specific recipes and options for those who have specific dietary needs. I usually refer to Naked Nutrition and Precision Nutrition for sports nutrition information.
