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Best High-Protein Snacks to Eat Anytime, Anywhere
Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle. However, muscle isn’t just built after your workout is done. Consuming protein after your workout makes enzymes that allow key chemical reactions to take place within your body. These enzymes are crucial to regulating your body’s hormones, maintaining the fluid balance in your blood and tissues, and forming antibodies to protect your body from bacteria and viruses. Protein has many roles in your body, so it’s used constantly throughout the day. That’s why it’s important, not just for building muscle, but overall health to consume protein at every meal and in between—including high-protein snacks.
Protein requirements vary per individual and specific goals, but overall you should aim to consume between 1.2-2.0 grams per kg body weight per day. Yes, that’s more than the generic RDA of 0.8 grams per kg body weight, which we find too modest; it’s the minimum you need from getting sick.
High-protein snacks are key to getting your body the protein and amino acids in between meal periods—or if you’re going a few hours in between meals. A high-protein snack should provide at least 10 grams of protein per serving and be easy to eat at home or on the go. In addition, watch out for the added sugar content (keep it under 10 grams of added sugar) and make sure the ingredients are ones you’re familiar with. Take a look at these high-protein snacks (store-bought and homemade) to help you get protein all day long.
Best High-Protein Snacks to Eat Anytime, Anywhere
Joseph Gonzalez/Unsplash1. Hard Boiled Eggs
Eggs are one of the best cheap protein sources, with each average egg providing 6 to 7 grams of protein. They’re versatile; cook up a frittata, shakshuka, or omelette for breakfast. For on-the-go snacks, hard boil half a dozen at the start of the week and store in the fridge.
Protein per serving (2 eggs): 12 g proteinFlavor-filled meat sticks made from grass-fed and free-range beef, venison, and turkey. Chomps2. Chomps Meat Sticks
Chomps meat sticks are crafted with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients—including grass-fed beef and venison, as well as free-range, antibiotic-free turkey. With nine unique flavors like Italian-Style Beef and Pepperoni Seasoned Turkey, you’ll never get flavor fatigue. Plus they’re gluten-free, compatible with paleo, keto, and Whole30, and allergy-friendly.
Protein per serving (1 Pepperoni Seasoned Turkey Stick): 10 g protein
[From $14.99; chomps.com]
Get itKodiak Cakes Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Balls Courtesy Image3. Kodiak Cakes Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
In the morning, mid-day, late night, in the car, or on the trail, these protein balls are an easy, delicious way to get protein. They’re made with 100 percent whole grain oats and non-GMO ingredients for wholesome, nutritious snacking. Bonus: They’re easy to prepare (just add water and roll!).
Protein per serving (2 balls): 20 g protein
[$5.50; kodiakcakes.com]
Get itSimply Snackin Bars Courtesy Image4. Simply Snackin Bars
Simply Snackin make on-the-go protein snacks that are nourishing and simple. The bars only include real ingredients like grass-fed beef or chicken, free of antibiotics or added hormones. They’re void of gluten and artificial flavors or colors.
Protein per serving (1 Chicken With Hemp Seeds bar): 11 g protein
[From $36.80; simplysnackin.com]
Get itWonderful Pistachios Roasted & Salted No Shells Courtesy Image5. Pistachios
Pistachios are the ultimate plant-based protein source as they contain all essential amino acids in adequate amounts for optimal health. The best part is they’re convenient on the go and don’t require any preparation. Additionally, they provide fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats to help your body refuel and recover before and after a workout
Protein per serving (1.5 oz kernels): 10 g protein
[From $5.99; amazon.com]
Get itScout Wild Albacore Tuna SCOUT6. Scout Wild Albacore Tuna
Tuna is an excellent source of protein and these single-serve cans make it easy to store and travel with (just remember your can opener!). They feature hand-cut tuna fillets that are cooked and packaged to preserve omega-3 oils with nothing else added. The best part? In addition to protein, each 3-oz serving provides roughly 705 mg of healthy EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein per serving (1 can): 21 g protein
[$31.99/4 pk or $28.79/monthly subscription; enjoyscout.com]
Get itKize Bars Kize Concepts7. Kize Bars
Kize Bars might be the cleanest protein bars you can buy. They taste more like a no-bake cookie or peanut butter fudge, and some flavors have as little as four ingredients. Great as a high-protein snack, on-the-go fuel, or a healthy dessert.
Protein per serving (1 bar) 10 g protein
[From $29.99; kizeconcepts.com]Food Collection / Shutterstock
8. Real California Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and contains relatively few calories. It also provides an ideal combination of whey and casein. which provide quick- and slow-digesting protein. It’s packed with many other nutrients for health like B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium. It’s also versatile enough to incorporate into different meals and snacks.
Protein per serving (1 cup low-fat): 28 g protein
[realcaliforniamilk.com]
Get itVital Farms Pasture-Raised Egg Bites, Uncured Bacon and Cheddar Cheese Vital Farms9. Vital Farms Pasture-Raised Egg Bites, Uncured Bacon & Cheddar Cheese
Eggs are a great protein source (as we already mentioned) but sometimes you want to make them a little more exciting. Vital Farms Egg Bites are made with ethically sourced ingredients like pasture-raised eggs and cheese, and humanely raised meats. On top of that, they’re delicious and come in convenient packs to microwave and take with you anywhere in just 45 seconds.
Protein per serving (2 bites): 18 g protein
[vitalfarms.com]
Get itFage Total Greek Yogurt 0% Courtesy Image10. Fage Total Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a little different than its traditional counterparts. Greek yogurt is lower in sugar, higher in protein, and creamier than regular yogurt. It’s filled with not just protein but calcium, probiotics, and vitamin B. It often comes in single-serving portions, making it a great high-protein snack in between meals. You can also add to your favorite smoothie.
Protein per serving (Fage Total 0% 6-oz container): 18 grams protein
[$1.29; usa.fage]Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Walnut Collagen Protein Oats Courtesy Image11. Purely Elizabeth Blueberry Walnut Collagen Protein Oats
Oatmeal is a breakfast favorite for its convenience and fiber content. Purely Elizabeth makes it even better by adding premium grass-fed bovine collagen and an added packet of Nuttzo nut butter to pack a high-protein punch. The blueberries, walnuts, ancient grains, and superfood seeds lend satisfying texture and flavor to boot.
Protein per serving (2-oz cup): 11 g protein
[$2.99 or $2.54 for subscription; purelyelizabeth.com]
Get itKite Hill Protein Yogurt Kite Hill12. Kite Hill Protein Yogurt
Kit Hill yogurt is a great-tasting blend of almonds and soy to pack in the protein and faba bean for added creaminess in a new plant-based yogurt. Kite Hill Protein Yogurt is non-GMO, gluten-free, vegan and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives. Best of all, it doesn’t sacrifice on taste or the smooth, creamy texture that many seek, but cannot find in dairy-free items.
Protein per serving (Blueberry, 5.3-oz cup): 10 g protein
[$2.39; kite-hill.com]
Get itNature Zen/Unsplash13. DIY Protein Shake
There’s nothing easier than bringing your own protein powder (whey or vegan) and mixing in your shaker bottle. But if you have the time, make a complete and delicious post-workout smoothie to kickstart recovery or provide an extra boost of protein between meals. Here’s a recipe with a tropical spin:
Ingredients
16 oz milk of choice (or orange juice)
1-2 scoop vanilla or unflavored protein powder (whey or vegan)
3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks
½ cup frozen mango
½ frozen banana
1/2 ripe avocado peeled
1 tsp chia seeds
1 scoop Athletic Greens powder
Instructions
Combine all ingredients
Blend until smooth.
Jordan Mazur, MS, RD is the director of nutrition for the San Francisco 49ers.For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More
- in Wellness
Filson x Ten Thousand Collection Is the Workhorse of Workout Apparel
For duds that endure the wear and tear of wilderness excursions, Filson is a mainstay. For workout apparel that withstands grueling lifting sessions, Ten Thousand is a stalwart. Separately they shine, but together they can single-handedly replace your training kit with high-performance workout apparel.
The two brands have joined forces to drop a limited-edition collection of workout clothes designed to meet the training needs of first responders and wildland firefighters.
“Having FiIson ask us to help them make this collection is an incredible honor,” says Keith Nowak, founder and CEO of Ten Thousand. While Filson was born in the woods and Ten Thousand was born in the gym, we both share a spirit that’s been forged from hard work, grit and the will to become better than we were yesterday. And this collection encompasses that perfectly.”Courtesy ImageThe Filson x Ten Thousand Collection features three pieces—all made in Filson’s signature Marsh Olive colorway: Versatile Shirt, crafted from breathable, sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and abrasion-resistant fabric; the lined Tactical Short, cut from durable yet featherweight four-way stretch ripstop fabric; and Training Sock, which features cooling mesh panels, functional cushioning, and anatomical arch support.
They all have a permanent silver ion treatment that will last through use and washing.Courtesy Image“Filson and Ten Thousand users share similar values and lifestyles,” says Alex Carleton, chief creative officer at Filson. “Both are smart, tough and prepared. The collaboration between the two brands resulted in a collection perfect for our everyday heroes… The design behind the collection was led by the athletes and heroes it was made for, like frogman combat veteran and backcountry hunter, Alex Fitchler, who helped put the collection through its paces.”
Courtesy ImageThe standout among the pieces has to the be the swim-ready shorts, which were made to conform to the needs of military fitness standards by being durable, breathable, and lightweight. But they also had to be easy to wash, odor-resistant, comfortable, and feature multiple pockets. The Tactical Short shines in the last aspect, as they have stash spots, inside and out, that offer secure storage for items like cash, keys, smartphone, ID, and energy chews.
The Filson x Ten Thousand Collection will be available from filson.com and tenthousand.cc beginning Friday, October 29, 2021. Prices start at $16.
Get itFor access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More
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Anger Management: The Best Heavy-Lifting Workouts to Blow off Steam
The gym can’t replace therapy, but it’s a damn good release when you’re dealing with a tough day at the office or a stressful family affair. Running can be meditative and yoga can be relaxing, but if you need to blow off steam, you need to lift—and lift heavy.
When your temper is high and you’re frustrated beyond belief, throwing some weight around is an incomparable release. Here are four heavy-lifting routines to help you blow off steam.
Anger Management: Best Heavy-Lifting Workouts to Blow off Steam
Workout 1: Locomotion
Equipment needed: Turf space, loaded sled, heavy dumbbells
1. Farmer’s Carry — 6 x 50m: Stand tall with a weight in each hand. Maintain a “proud” chest, pull shoulder blades down and back, and walk forward using short heel-to-toe steps. Aim for your body weight equivalent to be carried. If you can’t find dumbbells that can equate to this, try loading a trap bar to that equivalent instead. Rest 90 seconds between carries.
2. Sled Push — 6 rounds x 50m: Stand behind the sled with arms straight and flexed, body leaning forward. Drive the sled using a fast yet controlled pace. Again, aim for bodyweight equivalent to be pushed. Rest 90 seconds between pushes.
3. High Box Jump — 5 x 6 reps: Squat down to just above parallel and bring arms back behind hips. Explode with a strong forward-arm swing, tucking your knees after you’ve fully extended your legs. Land softly in the same squat depth you started with. Stand up tall, locking hips to finish the movement. Rest as long as needed between jumps.
Workout 2: Upper-Body Power Play
Equipment needed: Slam ball, bench, pullup bar, dumbbells
1. Med Ball Slams — 5 x 15 reps: Keep the weight relatively light (15 pounds) but move explosively to blow off steam and torch calories. With feet shoulder-width apart, reach to full extension with the ball overhead (try not to bend your elbows). With your full force, slam the ball down between your feet. Pick the ball up and repeat. Rest 60 seconds between rounds.
2A. Dumbbell Bench Press — 10 reps: Go heavy. Sit on end of bench, holding dumbbells resting on thighs. Lie back, guiding dumbbells over chest with legs, then plant feet to start. With dumbbells angled in and thumbs over collarbone, squeeze shoulder blades together and down. Press weights over chest to a wide V shape, then return to start.2B. Plyometric Pushups — max reps: Don’t clap your hands during the pushups. It’s an easy way to catch a finger and be out with a silly injury. Just explode up from the bottom position so hands come off the floor, then immediately drop into the next rep.
Directions: Perform 4 contrast sets of bench press and plyo pushups, resting 90 seconds between rounds. Contrast sets comprise a heavy lift followed by an explosive movement that mimics the mechanics of that lift. These trick your muscle fibers into exploding even more than they normally would since the body is duplicating the loaded pattern during the second set.
3. EMOM Chinups — 10 x 5 reps
Directions: EMOM stands for every minute on the minute. Start your clock and perform the first 5 reps with the clock running. It should take you around 15 seconds, give or take. The remainder of that minute (the next 45 seconds) is your recovery. Once the next minute begins, you should be starting your first rep of set 2. Repeat until you’ve completed 10 sets in this fashion.Workout 3: Leg Day From Hell
Equipment needed: Squat cage, barbell, kettlebell, leg press
1. Paused Back Squats — 5 x 3 reps: In a squat rack, grasp the bar as far apart as is comfortable and come under it. Step back and stand with feet at shoulder width and toes turned slightly out. Inhale, then bend your hips and knees to lower your body using a slow negative. Pause at your full depth (you shouldn’t lose the arch in your low back). Extend through hips and push knees out to stand. Nothing beats standing under the heavy bar when you’re on your last nerve. Rest 2 minutes between rounds.
2. Romanian Deadlift — 5 x 8: Grasp the bar at shoulder width, holding it in front of your thighs. Bend your hips back and lower your torso, allowing your knees to bend only as needed, until you feel a stretch in your hamstrings. Focus on a hovering RDL, rather than touching the floor with the barbell. Extend your hips to come back up. If your back begins to round, you’ve either gone too heavy or descended too low. Rest 2 minutes between rounds.
3A. Kettlebell Swing to Squat Swing x 12 reps: Perform a typical kettlebell swing, but at the top of the swing, use the weight of the bell to counter your balance as you squat, then rise to go into a swing. It may take a couple of reps to get the rhythm down.3B. Barbell Split Squat x 8 reps each side: Load a barbell and rack it in the back squat position. (Use a power rack, or clean and press barbell and rest it on shoulders.) Stand tall with feet hip-distance apart, knees soft. Step right foot back two to three feet so torso is equidistant between feet. Plant the ball of back foot on ground and keep heel raised to start. Lower right knee toward floor until left knee is bent at a 90-degree angle and shin is perpendicular to the ground. Press through left heel to rise and return to start. Do all reps with right leg back, then switch sides.
Directions: Perform 3A and 3B as supersets, performing 3 total rounds. Rest 2 minutes between rounds.
Finisher: Heels-Elevated Leg Press x 2 min: This is a maniacal finisher that’ll torch the quads, helping you blow off steam and then some. The goal here is to match your body weight on the leg press machine, and perform continuous reps until the 2 minutes has elapsed. You can’t rack the weight, but you can rest-pause when needed with straight legs. Focus on the quads by keeping a narrower stance that’s lower on the platform, allowing the heels to raise off the platform at the bottom end ranges. You’re only doing one killer set of these, so make it count.Workout 4: Isometric Mayhem
Equipment needed: Squat cage, safety pins, barbell, and two benches
Note: The goal with isometric training is to work as hard as possible against the immovable object. If you’re not giving it your all, you’re missing the immense training benefits. This method doubles as a great way to blow off steam since, well, you’re going to zap your nervous system and every shred of pent up energy you may have had at the start of the workout. Once you give it a try, you’ll see.
1. Isometric Deadlift — 6×30 sec.: Set the pins on the squat cage to the lowest setting, and wedge the bar between the bottom of the cage and those pins. Set up for a typical deadlift, pulling the bar into the pins as hard as possible. Keep the form strict, and attempt to lift the entire machine off the ground (assuming you can’t). Rest 60 seconds between sets.
2. Isometric Bench Press — 5×30 sec.: If you don’t have a Smith machine setup, use a bench or squat cage with pins. Set up so the racked bar is above your chest, rather than your eyes, at a low-rack position that allows you to keep elbows bent at 90 degrees. Make sure the bar is loaded to a weight far above your 1RM, and press as hard as you can into the bar for 30 seconds straight. Rest 60 seconds between sets.
3. Back Plank — 5 x 20 sec.: Set up between two benches while seated on the floor. Place elbows on the benches, and keep arms at a 90-degree angle to your body. Make fists, look at the ceiling, and raise hips off the ground by planting feet into the floor and driving elbows into the benches. Squeeze glutes and upper back to keep your body from falling below the level of the benches. Return to the floor to rest for 90 seconds between sets.
4. Wall Sit — 3 x 1 min.: Take a “seat” against the wall with knees bent at 90 degrees. Press your back into the wall with force to engage the quads. If 1 minute is beyond your current capabilities, go as long as you can. Rest as long as needed between sets.Lee Boyce is a strength coach based in Toronto, Canada
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Smart Home Gym Equipment to Level Up Your Fitness
We want you to turn your living room into a hotbox. (No, we don’t mean the smoke-filled Camaro from your high school days.) We mean we want you to transform any spare space into your sweat gauntlet in lieu of a gym. As such, we’re putting the spotlight on five pieces of smart home gym equipment that provide personalized attention from virtual trainers, progressive challenges via artificial intelligence and detailed insight thanks to sensors. Best of all, no one will know if (read: when) you drag your dog-tired body into the bathroom and sit in the shower for 45 minutes post-workout. It’s your world. 1. Use AI for Gains: TonalSometimes lifting is all about quality, not quantity. Tonal has two extendable arms that generate up to 200 pounds of resistance, plus a motion-sensor camera hidden in its 42-inch screen to analyze form and offer cues to boost performance. An initial fitness assessment determines your baseline, then AI algorithms take over. “Spotter” mode drops weight if you struggle in the bottom of a chest press, while “Burnout” mode reduces weight one pound at a time at the end of a set of curls, so you can work your biceps to failure.[$2,995 plus $49/month membership; tonal.com]Get it Courtesy Image2. Hire a Personal Trainer: MirrorThe full-length reflective surface of Mirror hides an LCD screen controlled by an iOS app. Try a class in morethan 50 disciplines, or connect with a personal trainer on-demand. Using the built-in two-way audio and video, your trainer provides expert feedback, form corrections, and encouragement in real time for $40 a pop—a fraction of what you’d pay for a trainer at the gym. You can even sweat to your own workout playlists via Apple Music.[$1,495 plus $39/month membership, mirror.co]Get itCourtesy Image3. Buy One Weight That Does It All: JaxJoxA true total-body strength workout usually requires multiple sets of weights or a pricey squat rack. Notso with the space-saving JaxJox connected kettlebell. It adjusts from 12 to 42 pounds in seconds. While you’re swinging, motion sensors track reps, sets, weight, and power, so you can review your “Fitness IQ”—which measures strength progression—in the app. Users can also subscribe to on-demand workouts.[$229 plus optional $13/month membership, jaxjox.com]Get itCourtesy Image4. Make Any Room a Weight Room: ArenaArena houses a multidirectional cable system and specialty attachments capable of more than 300 exercises, from hamstring curls to woodchops. The portable device uses opposing electro-magnetic fields to generate hundreds of pounds of resistance (same tech that powers electric cars). Motorized resistance technology safely recruits more muscle fibers than traditional strength training, so you get better results in less time.[$1,995 plus optional $20/month membership, goarena.co]Get itCourtesy Image5. Get Real-Time Biofeedback: NurvvSolo neighborhood jogs. Treadmill intervals. All-out track sprints. With 32 sensors, Nurvv smart insoles capture all your running idiosyncrasies including cadence, step length, footstrike, pronation and balance. That might not mean much to you, but they indicate efficiency. The app provides tailored training tips and exercises to help fine-tune your technique and avoid injury. Looking to hit sub 7-minute miles? The Pace Coach feature provides target zones for your cadence and step length, with in-run alerts synced to your headphones like “shorten your stride” or “increase your cadence.”[$299.95; nurvv.com]Get itFor access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube! More
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This Might Be the Hardest Dumbbell Workout You Ever Try
Expert Tip: To up the intensity if you don’t have adjustable dumbbells, add a heavy band, do more reps, slow the movement down to create more time under tension, or hold the contracted position of the exercise.
Directions: Add this dumbbell workout to your weekly regimen once per week; do it twice per week with cardio on opposing days if you need a new program. Complete the exercises in Part 1 for the prescribed number of reps, taking 20 to 30 seconds rest between moves, and 30 to 45 seconds between sets. Once you’ve completed all 3 sets in Part A, rest for 60 to 90 seconds, then complete the triset in Part 2. Complete the exercises for the prescribed number of reps, taking 20 to 30 seconds rest between moves, and 30 to 45 seconds between sets for 3 total sets. Beginners should use 20- to 25-pound dumbbells, intermediate lifters can do 30- to 40-pound dumbbells, and advanced can go 45 pounds and higher.The Most Effective Dumbbell Workout of All Time
PART 1: DUMBBELL SUPERSET
A. Single-Arm Eccentric Push Press
Stand with feet at shoulder width, holding a dumbbell in right hand with a neutral grip at shoulder height, elbow bent at 90 degrees. Lower into a quarter-squat, then explode up, driving through legs to press the dumbbell overhead. Pause, then slowly lower to start position. Complete 4-5 reps, then switch sides.
Single-Leg Renegade Row With Eccentric Isometrics Marius Bugge for Men’s Journal
B. Single-Leg Renegade Row With Eccentric Isometrics More - in Wellness
Go Full McConaughey With the Actor's Favorite Unorthodox Workouts
Struggling to get a consistent workout regimen at home? Matthew McConaughey’s workouts are anything but traditional, but they’ll boost your mood, health, and the monotony of isolation. Is it any surprise the actor’s got some unorthodox tricks up his sleeve to make movement a movement?
1. Run From Home
“Like any mammal, we’re always gonna make it back home. I like to run 20 minutes out, turn around, and drop and do 20 pushups 10 times during the run back.”
2. Dance All Night
“I could and should probably do it more often. It’s my favorite cardio. I don’t mind having a cocktail during some of my workouts.”3. Have Some Sex
“The original exercise,” McConaughey writes in Greenlights. “It makes our companion see us in a more flattering light, which psychologically makes us feel like we look better.”4. Wrestle…or Not
“I love it, but blew my ACL during a match. So now I spend a lot of time on the elliptical instead.”5. Just Schedule It
“You don’t have to actually work out, just plan on it, that’s enough.”
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