Feeling Weak? Here’s How to Increase Your Protein Intake Through Snacking
If you’re feeling exhausted and weak, you might want to take a look at your diet. Protein is one of the key nutrients that our bodies need to stay strong and healthy, and it can often be hard to get enough of it through regular meals. So, how can you increase your protein intake without having to eat extra-large meals? The answer is snacking!
In this post, we’ll discuss why protein is so important and some of the best snacks for increasing your protein intake. If you’re feeling weak and exhausted, adding some of these snacks to your daily routine can help you feel stronger and more energetic. Read on to find out more!
What is Protein?
So what is protein? Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and can be found in food sources like meat, eggs, dairy products, legumes and beans, seafood, nuts and seeds. Protein is essential for daily functions like making enzymes and hormones and building tissues like muscle during growth or repair.
How Much Protein Do You Need?
According to the British Nutrition Foundation, the recommended daily intake of protein is 0.75 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, there are additional factors that impact one’s protein needs such as age and lifestyle factors like pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Protein-Packed Snack Foods
If you feel like you need to increase your protein intake throughout the day then snacks are an excellent way to do so.
- Dairy products such as yoghurt or cheese provide significant amounts of calcium and protein along with probiotics that support gut health. Yoghurt cups or cheese sticks or cubes may be a good way to benefit from this protein source.
- Nuts, seeds, and nut butters are also great sources of plant-based protein along with beneficial fats that help promote satiety after eating. Snack packs of trail mix or peanut butter can be a good way to get this type of protein.
- Legumes and beans provide plant-based proteins that contain fibre, which can help improve digestion while providing a slow release of energy throughout the day.
- Seafoods such as salmon or tuna contain protein, as well as omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for heart health. We like getting tuna or salmon snack pouches and spreading the fish on a cracker with cheese for a quick snack or easy lunch.
- Meat and poultry also provide significant amounts of proteins along with B vitamins which help regulate energy levels throughout the day. Beef jerky sticks or similar snacks are great for on the go.
- Lastly, grains such as quinoa and oats provide both carbohydrates for energy along with proteins for muscle repair and growth.
Tips for Adding Protein to Snacks
When adding more protein to snacks it’s important to keep macronutrients balanced in order to make sure your snack is healthy and sustains your energy until the next time you eat. Choose snacks that are high in both carbohydrates and proteins, such as yoghurt mixed with granola or peanut butter on apples to increase both energy for physical activities as well as repair any muscle damage from exercise. You can also make homemade snack bars using nuts or seeds mixed with dried fruits or honey to add sweetness while providing a healthy dose of proteins throughout the day. Another way to increase protein intake is to replace sugary snacks like candy bars with healthier options such as nuts mixed with chocolate chips to help keep blood sugar levels regulated while still providing sweet rewards throughout the day. Or, get creative by adding high-protein toppings, like chia seeds or hemp hearts, on top of hot cereals or smoothies to add some texture variation and protein.
Potential Benefits and Risks of Protein-Packed Snacking
Eating more proteins at snack time can offer potential benefits such as increased metabolic rate which can help improve overall health over time as well as improved muscle growth when combined with exercise regimens like weight lifting or running sessions. However, if snacking with high-protein foods becomes a habit then it may increase risks such as cardiovascular disease when consumed in excess or if not balanced correctly with vegetables on a regular basis.
If you feel weak or easily hungry, then increasing your protein intake through snacking can be beneficial. Protein aids your health by building muscle and releasing energy throughout the day, while helping combat issues related to fatigue. Balance your diet and feel fuller for longer by integrating protein snacks into your food intake!