Treat yourself to fistfuls of Halloween candy and you will trick yourself into doing some real damage. The calories you eat on Halloween night can run into the thousands. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, you can wreck your healthy eating plan with mindless snacking. Resist by filling up with a healthful, high-fiber supper that includes protein before you head out the door. These high-protein snacks can help you feel full and stay out of the candy bowl.
Chilled Shrimp
Cooked, chilled shrimp are meaty but light, and a single serving of 3 ounces offers 18 grams of protein. The size and type of shrimp you buy will determine the number of shrimp in your single serving. Keep frozen shrimp on hand so that you can pack plastic containers with 3 to 4 medium shrimp to thaw in the refrigerator. Add a lemon wedge to each one and eat them within a day or two of creating the snack packs.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are easy to prepare if you cook several at a time. One large hard boiled egg provides 6 grams of protein. If you’re watching your saturated fat intake, eat hard boiled eggs without the yolk. You can add a scoop of homemade hummus to the egg whites for extra flavor and more protein. Remember, cooked eggs stay fresh for only one week in the refrigerator.
Edamame
Store each one-cup serving of edamame in an individual, microwavable baggie or plastic container to pop into the microwave. This is great source of fiber, and a single-serving offers a whopping 17 grams of protein.
Cottage Cheese
A half-cup serving of 2 percent milkfat cottage cheese provides 12 grams of protein. Add a few berries or steamed veggies for more fiber and nutrients for a tasty snack. Those who are limiting their salt intake may want to choose another healthy protein snack, however, as it is high in sodium.
Deli Meat
Choose chicken, turkey, ham or roast beef lunch meat to enjoy low-fat protein. A single 2-ounce serving of most brands will provide between 9 and 13 grams of low-fat protein. You may like popular deli meats like salami or bologna; just keep in mind that they are full of protein but also very high in fat. Keep portion size in mind. Create mini snack bags with an individual portion of meat and a few veggie sticks.
Greek Yogurt
A single-serving of Greek yogurt provides 20 grams of protein and is a good source of calcium. Choose plain yogurt if you’re cutting back on sugar. The addition of fresh berries or a teaspoon of honey yields a sweeter snack.
String Cheese
Each single-serving stick of string cheese provides 8 grams of protein for an easy high-protein snack you can grab on the run. They come individually wrapped in the dairy section of your grocery store so that they are easy to store and easy to carry.
Tuna
If you like sushi-grade raw tuna, you’ll find 7 grams of protein in a single serving. Fresh tuna doesn’t keep long in the refrigerator, so you may want to keep single serving pouches of tuna on hand. Eat it right out of the pouch for a snack or add the tuna to greens with a squeeze of lemon for healthy, protein-rich salad.