What’s the Hype with High Protein Snacks?
Once it seemed that every single item in the grocery store was labeled “low-fat”. Now, times have changed and protein has taken the place of fat as the deciding factor in determining the healthfulness of various foods.
TODAY reports that protein is a macronutrient and humans need quite a bit of it every single day. But protein bars? High protein shakes? Are these really good for you? What is the hype with high protein snacks?
Eat 20 to 40 Grams of Protein
In general, the average person should aim at eating about 20 to 40 grams of protein per meal and 10 to 15 grams per snack. That’s not a small amount.
Some great protein-filled snacks are things like cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts, whole grain crackers and cheese, and hard-boiled eggs, and yes, even some protein bars.
Though some protein bars have so much added sugar they are pretty much glorified candy bars, there are some that can be an excellent choice for a quick snack or meal, especially if you are in a hurry. Healthline lays out some of the benefits of a good, healthy protein bar:
Protein bars are a good source of nutrients containing such things as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, and more. Protein bars can be useful for those looking to put on muscle. And don’t forget, they are very convenient.
A Formula for Health
Still, as NPR reports, it pays to be cautious before downing a protein bar as many of them do indeed contain a good amount of unhealthy ingredients. So how does one know if the high-protein snack they’ve picked up in the grocery store is actually high in protein?
NPR has a simple formula. To find out how many calories of protein is contained in any given snack, multiply the grams of protein listed on the back of the package by four. Then, take that number and divide it by the total number of calories listed. This gives you the percentage of the calories that come from protein. Anything that is 20 percent protein or higher is considered high-protein.In addition, you should look for snacks that contain less than 10 grams of sugar.
When these conditions are met you can be pretty sure you are getting a healthy, high-protein snack. So the next time you’re looking to grab something to eat, think high-protein and low-sugar.
