High Protein Snacks

Forget what you have heard, snacking isn’t always a bad thing! The key is to pick nutritious, healthy snacks that can aid you on your fitness journey. It’ll come as no surprise that here at TREK, we believe wholeheartedly in high-protein snacking. They can provide you with an energy boost as the ultimate pre or post workout snack, as well as a great breakfast option to leave you feeling energised for the day ahead.

This article will outline the benefits of protein, as well as all the high protein snacks you can enjoy as part of a vegan diet.

Why is protein important

Protein is not just for bodybuilders looking to bulk up, it’s an essential nutrient that all of us need. It acts as a type of ‘fuel’, providing the body with energy that gym goers at all levels can use to support their training. However, its health benefits also go beyond fitness…

Protein is particularly important for those recovering from illness. It helps the body to repair itself by breaking down tissue and creating new cells. These healing properties have also been used in new treatments such as collagen treatments, due to proteins’ ability to provide structure back to bones, ligaments and skin. This can be particularly useful for those recovering from severe sports injuries where their ligaments for example, could be torn.

For more information on the importance of protein read our helpful guide to ‘Why protein is important for exercise’.

High protein vegan snacks

Protein can be found in red meats and fish, but there are also a great number of vegan sources of protein. Here are just a few of the delicious, plant based snacks that are high in protein for you to add to your diet:

1. TREK Bars

All of our TREK products are vegan protein bars. This makes them a great source of energy for those on a plant based diet. They are made with 100% plant based ingredients including soya protein, gluten-free oats, fruit and nuts, which are designed to leave you feeling fuller for longer.

You can buy a TREK bar here. Struggling to choose? Here’s a break down of our high protein TREK bars below:

• TREK Protein Flapjacks – A vegan flapjack that balances important carbohydrates and 9g of protein to leave you feeling energised.
• TREK Protein Nut Bars – A high fibre nut bar, containing 10g of protein, made with nutritious roasted peanuts.
• TREK Protein Energy Bars – Not only 1 of your 5 a day, but a delicious gluten free bar that contains 10g of natural protein to give you an energy boost.
• TREK Protein Power Bars – Game changing, high protein vegan bar which contains an incredible 15g of protein to make your snacks work harder.

2. Protein balls

Protein balls are exactly that – little hits of protein! They are typically made by combining fruits and nuts, and contain a good amount of ‘healthy fats’. They come in all kinds of flavours like peanut butter protein balls, or chocolate and coconut, so you can find the perfect sweet treat to give you a burst of energy.

3. Peanut butter on toast

Peanut butter on toast is a classic American snack which contains, on average, 8g of protein. You can swap the bread for gluten-free options to have both a vegan and gluten-free snack – just like our Trek bars. It can make a great breakfast where you could add slices of banana, or the perfect afternoon pick me up.

Love peanut butter? Then you will love our Peanut Power Protein Energy Bar and Peanut Power Crunch Protein Power Bar.

4. Chia Pudding

Chia seeds are very high in protein – containing 17g of protein per 100g serving. Chia pudding is a great way to add this superfood into your vegan diet. It is simply made by adding chia seeds to a liquid like almond or soy milk, before finishing with toppings of your choice such as fruit. It’s high in fibre, and will leave you feeling full, making for a great breakfast option which you can prep overnight.

5. Hummus with carrots and celery

Hummus is one of the most popular vegan snacks right now. It is a Middle Eastern dish, made from mashed chickpeas, which contains 8g of protein per 100g. Serve with vegetable sticks such as carrot and celery sticks for the ultimate dip.

6. Almonds

Almonds are an easy snack to eat, high in protein, energy and fibre. They have some amazing health benefits due to being rich in nutrients like Vitamin E and antioxidants. You can eat almonds raw to reap these benefits, or enjoy almond milk, bars or almond butter.

7. Rice cakes

Rice cakes are a great healthy snack, low in calories. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a spread like peanut butter or yoghurt, or even savoury toppings like sundried tomatoes. They can make for a delicious light lunch or pre gym snack.

8. Roasted chickpeas

Roasted chickpeas are a delicious, high fibre snack. With 19g of protein per 100g they contain ample amounts of energy. They can be lightly seasoned with salt, paprika or even cumin for a spicy kick.

9. Olives

Olives are a delectable Mediterranean snack, served best with sundried tomatoes. They are a fermented food which hold an array of health benefits from being an anti-inflammatory to supporting bone health. You can enjoy them on their own as a light snack, as a side dish or as a tasty starter.

10. Hemp Seeds

Hemp seeds are one of the many seeds high in protein – containing an incredible 30g of protein per 100g. Hemp itself has become one of the fastest growing health trends due to its antioxidant effects. The seeds contain healthy fatty acids and omega 3, as well as being rich in protein, making them quite the superfood.

There we have it! 10 high protein vegan snacks for you to enjoy. Incorporating these foods into your diet can help support your overall fitness plan. After all, fitness is a lifestyle where both nutrition and physical health play an important part.

For more inspiration around healthy food read our nutrition blog series. This includes articles such as, ‘Making Nutrition Simple’, ‘An Easy Guide to Men’s Nutrition’ and ‘An Easy Guide to Women’s Nutrition’.