The Impact Of Protein Snacks On Your Health

Protein snacks may just be the thing to your diet woes, as experts believe protein plays an important role in the creation and maintenance of every cell in our bodies. Whilst having protein is essential for building bones, muscles, and skin, it also helps the proper function of all our body’s organs. 

Why Are Protein Snacks Important In Your Diet? 

Eating the right foods is highly important and incorporating protein snacks may just be the hack you have been waiting for to curb those fatal sugar cravings. Watching your calorie, sugar, and salt intake is generally what every health-conscious person does, but have you wondered how protein fuels our cells and empowers our bodies?

It’s important to remember that eating protein every single day is happiness for your cells and bones, therefore including it with every meal. Protein is made up of amino acids, commonly known as building blocks because they are attached in long chains. It is also considered a macronutrient because we need large amounts of it to stay healthy. Getting the right amount of protein can do wonders for your health in ways you didn’t know existed, but let’s take a look at how much protein you need daily. 

How Much Protein Does Your Body Need?

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight. To determine your RDA for protein, multiply your weight in pounds by 0.36, as it’s based on your age, activity levels, and other factors such as if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Research suggests that our bodies can only process about 20 to 40 grams of protein at a time. This means you should not plan to get a day’s worth of protein in one or two meals, rather try to get some protein in every meal. Supplements or protein snacks that contain at least 5 grams of protein. 

Focusing on getting protein from high-quality food sources like lean meats, fish, dairy, soy, legumes, nuts and whole grains is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle but also serves the inner health-conscious geek in you. 

Why Do Our Bodies Need Protein? 

Build: Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage and skin. Our hair and nails are mostly composed of protein. 

Repair: Your body uses protein to build and repair tissue.

Digest: Whilst half of the dietary protein we consume each day is used to make enzymes these are used to aid in digesting foods to make new cells and body chemicals. 

Regulate: protein plays an essential role in regulating hormones, especially during the transformation and development of cells during puberty. 

Oxygen: Red blood cells contain a protein compound that carries oxygen throughout the body which helps supply the body with the nutrients it needs.

What High Protein Snacks Do To Your Body? 

Everybody knows how our muscles need protein, but did you know that to maintain muscle mass you need to up your dose of protein? That is where protein snacks play an important role. Whether you want to maintain your weight or lose it, these high-protein snacks are a sure way to boost your confidence and health. So that you can feel satisfied, healthy and energised throughout the day.

Chickpeas In Salad 

Chickpeas are grown in many countries like Australia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Turkey. However,  the main producer of all things chickpeas is India. There are almost 8 million tonnes of this legume that are harvested there and it contains 7 grams of protein per ½ cup serving.

Why not try tossing chickpeas with cucumber, tomato, red onion, feta, olives and a Greek dressing to make the perfect salad, that’s full of protein and nutrition? This protein snack could be incorporated for lunch or on the side of a main meal during dinner, whatever you choose make sure it’s healthy. Whilst there are lots more chickpea recipes to choose from, we think you should start simple and work your way up when it comes to being health conscious. 

Cheese Stick Galore

A cheese stick is a lunchtime favourite. They contain approximately 5 to 7 grams of protein per one-ounce stick. These types of protein snacks are ridiculously good for the body and your health. They strengthen the bones and are full of calcium and muscle-building protein. What is better than snacking on a cheese stick?

Nuts 

All nuts contain protein, but peanuts, almonds and pistachios have the most. An ounce of shelled peanuts, which is a handful, provides up to 7 grams of protein. While almonds and pistachios both provide 6 grams of protein per ounce. In addition to being high in protein, almonds are loaded with antioxidants which protect the body from free radical-induced oxidative stress. These nuts are effective protein snacks that should be included in your diet. Why not sprinkle them over some Greek yoghurt and summer berries? You can also read about how cashew nuts improve your health. 

Eggs 

How do you like your eggs in the morning? Well, we like them as part of our super healthy protein snacks at midday to be very honest. One large hard-boiled egg provides 6.3 grams of protein, you can enjoy this with a yoghurt-curried dip for an extra boost of protein. To make the dip, combine ½ a cup of Greek yoghurt with 1 teaspoon of curry powder, a sprinkle of lemon juice and a small squeeze of honey. 

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds contain all nine essential amino acids. Just two tablespoons of chia seeds provide 5 grams of protein. You can read about the 5 hidden benefits of chia seeds and how they can help improve your health, whilst also putting in a chia seed pudding recipe that you will surely want to try.

Peanut Butter And Pumpkin Seeds 

Two tablespoons of peanut butter provide 7 grams of protein. It’s become so popular with influencers trying all sorts of peanut butter recipes. Try spreading this onto thin slices of apples to enjoy this protein. Another way of getting some healthy protein snacks into your diet is by eating pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds also known as pepitas provide 8 grams of protein. Add roasted pumpkin seeds to salads or over butternut squash soup. 

In summary, including protein snacks as part of a balanced diet are ways in which you can stay healthy in the long run. While high protein is crucial to include with every meal, it’s the key compound that strengthens your bones, muscles and hormones. But not only that it is the building block to repair and renew cells in the body. These foods listed above will help you on your journey to getting enough protein. What’s better than a bowl of protein?