Looking to Eat More Protein? I Tested Tons of Snacks To Find the Top 29 That Are Making Healthy Eating Easier for Busy People
For your busy days, discover the best protein-packed options that are healthy, easy to grab, and nutrient-rich. These are my top snacks of the year straight from Expo West!
Protein. Protein. Protein. It’s the topic everyone’s talking about these days. Are you having enough of it? How much should you have of it? What’s the best way to get it? In fact, it is one of the top 4 health and wellness trends of 2025 along with biohacking & personalization, non-alcoholic beverages, and metabolic health support. We have more access to information now than we ever have before, and while knowledge is power, it can be absolutely overwhelming to put that knowledge into action.
While I don’t have all the answers, here is what I’ve learned from my research in hopes that it can help guide you in support of the best version of you.1 Though eating protein isn’t the full story of living a healthy life, it is an important piece that can truly have a positive impact. For me, eating more protein has given me more energy, increased mental clarity, and supported my muscles so that I feel stronger in my own body. Before we jump into the protein-packed snack review, let’s review some additional details about protein.
What is Protein and Why Does It Matter?
According to Piedmont Health2, proteins are the building blocks for everything in our bodies, from our nails and hair all the way to our organs and muscles. Our bodies are made up of protein. Think about it - an ocean wouldn’t be what it is without water. A grocery store wouldn’t be what it is without food. A sky wouldn’t be the same without air. In the same way, we wouldn’t be who we are without protein.
Food is the fuel that gives us energy and protein is what supports our bodies so they can continue to support us best. From building muscle to repairing the immune system and supporting hormones, protein does so much for the body. (thanks protein!)
So, now that you know what protein is, you can only image what would happen if a body doesn’t get enough. Luckily, the human body is resilient and intelligent, sharing information all the time. From communicating when we’re hungry, thirsty, tired, or wanting to move and stretch, our bodies tell us what we need. How cool is that? It’s vital we listen to these messages so we can truly care for our bodies. If we support our bodies, our bodies will be able to continue to support us so we can show up as our best selves.
How Much Protein Should You Eat?
While I am not a nutritionist or a doctor, I can tell you from personal experience that when I ensure every meal is balanced with a protein, complex carbohydrate, healthy fat, and fiber, it makes my body feel good. My mood stays balanced, I have energy, and I am able to continue on with my day because my body is able to continue building and supporting itself. Filling my plate with nourishing and wholesome foods helps me listen to the messages my body is telling me so I can support the best version of myself.
Now that you know protein is important and that more of it is good, you might be thinking yes I get it, but HOW? The great news is that there are plenty of wholesome nutrient dense-foods that we have been provided with that can support us in getting our protein in. I’ve found what works best for me is a mix of animal-based proteins like chicken, eggs, beef, turkey, venison, salmon, shrimp, alongside plant-based proteins such as nuts, seeds, and legumes. Additionally, I enjoy using a protein powder made up of grass-fed bovine whey protein isolate to provide added nutrients when I want to enjoy smoothies or other fun recipes. I encourage you to experiment with how much protein and which types work best for your body - because we’re all different and unique in our own ways.
But, one thing that is true for everyone of us is that our time for preparing protein-rich meals is limited. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your body is grab a protein-packed snack so you can listen to your body’s queues while you are on-the-go. At this year’s natural products Expo West, I visited hundreds of booths to search for the best protein-packed snacks for when you are in a pinch, traveling for work, or simply looking for a nutrient-dense addition to your daily meals. I searched many booths to find protein-packed snacks that were using minimal, high-quality ingredients without compromising on taste. And here is what I found…
Best Protein Snacks to Try Right Now
For a better look at the flavor offerings and detailed ingredients from these brands, check out their Instagram handles (linked).
Meat Snacks with High Protein
A great snack option for on-the-go are meat snacks. With minimal ingredients, these protein-packed brands are going to be some of my new go-tos.
32 g - Brooklyn Biltong Naked Steak Slices
15 g - Amylu Spinach & Red Pepper Chicken Meatballs
14 g - StarWalker Farms Organic Beef Jerky
10 g - Chomps Beef Stick
9 g - Archer 100% Grass-Fed Beef Jerky
9 g - Surf Snax Beech Smoked Salmon Stick
8 g - The New Primal Turkey Stick
6 g - Mighty Spark Chicken Snack Stick
Protein-Packed Bars & Bites That Taste Good
Great for when you are on-the-go and need a snack, these bars & bites have minimal ingredients and taste delicious. Personally, I would not have one of these in lieu of a meal, rather as a snack.
14 g - Aloha Almond Butter Bar
15 g - Perfect Bar Dark Chocolate Chip Bar
13 g - Thunderbird Bar Protein Cookie
9 g - Day Out Cookie Dough Portable Protein Balls
5 g - Smash Cashew Butter & Blueberry Jam Snack Bites
Granola With More Protein and Less Sugar
Great for smoothies and yogurt bowls, each of these has more protein than the leading brands, without all of the added sugar or unnecessary ingredients.
11 g - Julian Bakery Peanut Butter ProGranola Clusters
10 g - One Degree Protein Coconut Cacao Granola
7 g - Grandy Organics Dark Chocolate Coconola
7 g - Wella Grain Free Original Cereal
3 g - Purely Elizabeth Granola
Protein-Packed Crunchy Snacks
The crunchy snacks that have some added protein and minimal ingredients. Great options to bring to a party with hummus or guacamole.
11 g - The Only Bean Sea Salt Edamame Snack
10 g - Wilde Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Protein Chips
4 g - Wicked Crisps Red Curry Hummus
4 g - Lundberg Sea Salt Rice Chips
Foods to Add More Protein to Your Plate
When cooking up a delicious dinner, there is no better way to pack it with extra nutrients than adding in some protein-rich additions such as noodles or dips.
18 g - Bonafide Chicken Bone Broth
14 g - Chickapea One Pot Chickpea Pasta - Tomato Curry
14 g - Nature’s Fynd Fy Bites Herby Thai
10 g - Miracle Noodle Egg White Vermicelli Noodles
9 g - Bean Vivo Cooked Edamames and Quinoa
5 g - egglife Sweet Cinnamon Wrap
2 g - Oolie Yellow Curry Dip
Ready to fuel your body with protein? Subscribe now to get weekly healthy grocery guides delivered straight to your inbox!
More Easy, High-Protein Meals
Protein Pancake Breakfast Bowl
Creamy Chocolate Protein Smoothie
Flavorful Greek Turkey Meatballs
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Creamy Coconut Rice
Creamy Peanut Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
For more high-protein snack reviews, you can find me on Instagram.
Please note that the information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be considered as personalized nutrition advice. I am not a registered dietitian and cannot provide medical or dietary guidance for specific health conditions. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.