Protein is an important aspect of every diet. It helps muscles grow and repair themselves, boosts immune function, stores and transports nutrients, and aids in digestion and the production of energy. Without enough protein, you simply can’t function at your peak. That’s why many people turn to high-protein snacks to power through the day. There are many delicious and fueling foods that can get you the protein you need. Here are just a few.

7 High Protein Snacks

1. Trail Mix

This classic snack is a favorite of hikers, road-trippers, and snack enthusiasts for a reason. It’s highly personalizable, tasty, nutritious, and easy to make. While you can buy trail mix just about anywhere, all you need to make it is a variety of nuts and dried fruits. Plus, you can add chocolate for extra sweetness or seeds and grains for more crunch. 

Peanuts, almonds, and cashews are high in protein and healthy fats, while dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and blueberries offer a nice note of sweetness and additional nutrients. Depending on how it’s made, trail mix can provide as much as 8g of protein per 2-ounce serving.

2. Greek Yogurt

While regular yogurt does have some protein, Greek yogurt is where it’s really at. You can get up to 20g of protein from 7 ounces, or about three-quarters of a cup. Buying or making plain Greek yogurt also means that you can keep the sugar content as low as you like. If you need a sweetener, honey is a great option, or you can combine it with fruits or sweetened granola while still maintaining a healthy and easy protein snack. 

3. Nuts and Seeds

If you want a high-protein snack similar to trail mix but you don’t want the extra salt and sugar, consider sticking to whole nuts and seeds. There are many, many different types to choose from, and they each have distinct flavor profiles, textures, and benefits. You can also eat many of them either raw or roasted, and when roasting your own nuts and seeds, you can easily flavor them with your favorite spices, like garlic, cayenne pepper, mustard, sumac, or cumin.

4. Cheese

Cheese is another high-protein snack that comes with a ton of built-in variety. Any slicing cheese can be easily made into a convenient and fast snack, whether you’re using cheddar, mozzarella, brie, or limburger. This snack provides lots of additional nutrients, like calcium, selenium, and phosphorus. Pair it with crackers or vegetables to get a healthy boost of fiber in your diet, too.

5. Chia Pudding

Here’s another one that’s easy to make at home. Chia seeds contain about 4g of protein per ounce and also have a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid. On their own, they can be added to smoothies or salads for extra crunch and nutrients, but they also make a great pudding. Simply soak your chia seeds overnight in any type of high-protein milk. Cow’s milk, soy milk, and pea milk are all great options. In the morning, you’ll have a flavorful, high-protein snack with the consistency of pudding.

7. Magic Spoon Protein Treats

For a convenient, fueling, high-protein snack that you can eat any time of the day, check out Magic Spoon ProteinTreats. They come in six different flavors and each has 12g of protein, 1g sugar, and 140 calories or less per bar. 

Made with the best ingredients, these gluten-free, soy-free, rice-free, keto-friendly protein snacks are just as delicious as they are fueling. Taking them with you anywhere is easy, and they’re great at curbing hunger and giving you the protein boost you need to make it through the day.