Your go-to portable protein snacks

thatsnumberwang

What are your favorite inexpensive, grab-and-go protein sources? I'm trying to find more ways to increase my protein without having to do a lot of extra cooking or prep. Right now I'm eating a lot of nuts. I love jerky but it's too expensive, and I've kind of burned out on string cheese and greek yogurt. Help a girl out!

Nopedotjpeg

hard boiled eggs, protein bars (home made or pre-packaged).

Redapplecandie

Turkey pepperoni and string cheese for me. and Greek yogurt.

If you like jerky, I recommend you invest in a food dehydrator. We picked one up for about $60. Buy a cut of meat you normally wouldn't just cook and eat, marinade it in your own marinade, and pop in the dehydrator. Delicious home made jerky!

thatsnumberwang

Ooh, a dehydrator is a great idea. I always figured they'd be a lot more expensive than that. If you don't mind me asking, about how much does it cost to make a typical bag's worth of beef jerky (like you'd find in a drugstore)?

mdcjmom

Honey bunches of oats fruit blends have some good protein in them!

chelseaalicia

Cottage cheese is one of my faves! 15g of protein in a half cup.

Redapplecandie

Check around on Amazon for the dehydrator.

As for making the jerky, I don't do it, my fiancee does, so I can only give you a general idea

He will pick up a 3-4lb chuck roast, cut the fat off and marinate it in whatever he concocts. After dehydrating, you get about roughly 1/2 of what you started with. So, with a 4lb roast, you would get 2lb of jerky.

So a chuck roast is I think $6-8 depending on sales and such, so you get 2lbs of jerky for $8 (estimate). Compare that to $4-6 for a couple of oz in the store bought bags. To me, a much more economical way to go. It freezes well too.

thatsnumberwang

It freezes well too.

I thought you didn't need to freeze dehydrated food?

Redapplecandie

It freezes well too.

I thought you didn't need to freeze dehydrated food?

Well no, but I freeze pretty much everything, cause I'm paranoid about things going bad. And it keeps longer if frozen. Just make sure its completely sealed.

NatalieWinning

Those packets of tuna in water are really handy, other than the other mentioned things. Nuts aren't bad, but high calorie if you don't measure out. Greek Yogurt is good if you don't get it "plain".

JaclynnGail

World Market has portable single serving packages of seasoned hummus. I always take one of those to work with a Wasa flatbread. Also...yogurt, string cheese, and turkey jerky.

thatsnumberwang

World Market has portable single serving packages of seasoned hummus. I always take one of those to work with a Wasa flatbread. Also...yogurt, string cheese, and turkey jerky.

Single-serve hummus sounds amazing. I don't think I have a World Market near me, though! :sad:

iuew

clif and balance bars for sure.

i also like the triple threat caramel peanut fusion / chocolate caramel fusion bars.

DianaJaneD

When I need a little protein on the go and don't want to use many calories, I like a Sargento Reduced Calorie Cheese stick. It's only 60 calories and 5 grams of protein.

Le_Joy

Trio bars - they are expensive, but last me much longer than jerky does. Or you could just buy nuts and seeds.

shovav91

Luna bars, special K protein bars, nuts, vegetarian jerky (from whole foods), nuts

gp79

I scoop protein powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup water


Combine in a coffee mug.

Microwave 1 min @ 60% power
Microwave 15 sec @ 100% power

Add 1/2 tbsp unprocessed coconut oil on top.

Eat.

thatsnumberwang

I scoop protein powder
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup water


Combine in a coffee mug.

Microwave 1 min @ 60% power
Microwave 15 sec @ 100% power

Add 1/2 tbsp unprocessed coconut oil on top.

Eat.

For real? I can't even imagine the texture that this would end up being. (Also, I thought protein powder got all denatured if you heated it up?)

The bars are a good idea - my Trader Joe's sells a lot of varieties, maybe I'll check a few out.

Thanks everyone!

ddiestler

1/2 cup cottage cheese and 1tbsp sunflower seeds! Love it

DanielleDavids

I like individual cheese slices, hard boiled eggs, protein shakes, or protein balls... my go-to recipe is from "The Fitnessista" http://fitnessista.com/2011/01/ballz-for-all/

embersfallen

World Market has portable single serving packages of seasoned hummus. I always take one of those to work with a Wasa flatbread. Also...yogurt, string cheese, and turkey jerky.

Single-serve hummus sounds amazing. I don't think I have a World Market near me, though! :sad:

you can make your own hummus super easy! You just need one of those cup blenders.... a can of chic peas ( garbonzos), tablespoon each tahini ( sesame seed paste, usually in the international foods aisle) and olive oil, splash of lemon ( sometimes i even skip the lemon)... spice it however you want... i add a lil salt and pepper, dask of tobasco, a touch of chinese garlic chili sauce, a few black or green olives and dried basil. sounds an odd combo but it;s AWESOME!!!!! Even my picky best friend loves it! I keep a tad bit of the liquid from the chicpeas because it tends to get pretty thick.,.... you can add water or another bit of olive oil ( but those olive oil cals add in quick!) ... you could also add either black beans, or red peppers and whatever spices you like similar to the store kind. I LOVE hummus..and have not bought it store made in about a year since it's SO quick and easy to make! split it into those tiny tupperwares and bring it to work that way...great dip for veggies or on healthy crackers

As to Jerkey, walmart has the 6 pack of jerkey for about $4.50... 50 cals a stick, 1 gram fat and carbs, 10 protein

jennistokes

Love luna chocolate chip cookie dough protein bars! Also, sliced turkey, single serve edamame packs, a spoonful of peanut butter and chobani champions - yes they are made for little ones, but the size is perfect for a snack!

xXKatrinaXx

hard boiled eggs, protein bars (home made or pre-packaged).

exactly what i do. i keep a bunch of protein bars in my car too since i drive around for my job.