When you’re out on the road every day, snacking can be a challenge. It seems like all the convenient foods are the ones full of sugar and fat that leave you feeling unsatisfied. However, it can be easy to eat well on the road. There are plenty of protein-packed snacks for the car at your local gas station or grocery store.
Benefits of Protein Snacks
Snacking throughout the day helps keep your energy up so you can power through your workday, but are you getting enough protein?
When you top up your personal fuel tank with high-protein snacks like jerky, peanut butter, or nuts, you may feel:
- Protein helps control satiety: Protein takes more energy to digest than refined carbohydrates, which will help you with satiety.
- Recovery and healing: Proteins are the building blocks of the body’s cells. Whether you are recovering from an injury or you’re feeling great after a workout, protein gives your body what it needs to heal and grow.
So make sure to carry some high-quality, high-protein snacks in your vehicle to get you through the long work days.
When to Eat Protein Snacks
Your body needs fuel throughout the day. Getting enough protein isn’t usually a problem, it’s more a question of when you consume it. Eating protein at certain times helps keep your body supplied when it needs it most.
- In the morning: Eat some easily digestible protein in the morning to replenish. Protein found in eggs is great for this, as is whey protein found in things like milk and yogurt.
- After working out: Some say the very best time to eat protein is the half-hour following a workout. A dose of protein helps repair the muscles you’ve just slightly torn while working out, ultimately helping them heal and get stronger.
- Between meals: We talked about the benefits of protein snacks already, but it’s worth repeating: consuming protein as a snack gives your body the fuel you need to help get through the day.
Best Snacks To Keep In Your Car
1. Wild River Old Fashioned Beef Jerky
When you’re looking for a portable protein snack that’s perfect to keep in your work vehicle, it’s hard to beat a handy, resealable bag of Wild River Old Fashioned Beef Jerky. A single one-ounce serving of any of our delicious jerky flavors packs 15 grams of protein.
Plus, our products are gluten-free, have no artificial flavors or colors, and are made in the USA. With four varieties available, there’s a Wild River jerky to suit every taste.
Mild Beef Jerky
Wild River Mild Old Fashioned Beef Jerky delivers the protein punch your body needs with the rich, smoky flavor you grew up with. Plus, there are no artificial flavors, no MSG (except for that naturally occurring in soy sauce), and no added nitrates or nitrites (except for those naturally occurring in sea salt and cultured celery extract).
Green Chile Beef Jerky
Craving a protein-packed snack that’s a little tangy and spicy, too? Look no further than Wild River Green Chile Old Fashioned Beef Jerky. It gives you 15 grams of protein and less than one gram of sugar per serving as well as the unique, earthy flavor only green chiles can deliver. Find out why some people have said green chiles are heaven with a little heat.
Black Pepper Beef Jerky
Like your jerky with a little extra kick? Wild River Black Pepper Old Fashioned Beef Jerky will spice up your day. Every bag of Black Pepper Old Fashioned Beef Jerky is made with 100% premium beef sliced thin and seasoned with just the right amount of pepper to give you that little jolt of heat.
Hot Beef Jerky
Feeling brave? Try some Wild River Hot Old Fashioned Beef Jerky. It takes spicy to a whole new level. It packs a lot of heat, for sure, but it’s more than just a scorcher. Our Hot Beef Jerky brings a depth of flavor for your taste buds to savor.
And of course, our Hot Beef Jerky gives you 15 grams of protein per one-ounce serving, with no artificial flavors or colors, no added MSG (except for that naturally occurring in soy sauce), and less than a gram of sugar.
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
There’s a reason athletes eat PB&J sandwiches. This American classic doesn’t just taste great, it also delivers up to 15 grams of protein. Make one in the morning and throw it in your cooler before you get in your car for the day.
3. Protein Bars
There are tons of protein bar options out there, and many of them are great. Just be sure to check the labels and avoid the bars that have a lot of sugar. Some of them have just as much sugar as a candy bar.
4. Trail Mix
Trail mix can have a great blend of protein, fat and carbs to help fuel you up as you’re driving around. Look for a version that has plenty of nuts, seeds and even roasted soybeans to maximize your protein intake.
5. Meat & Cheese Rollups
These snacks are easy to make. You can also find them pre-made at your favorite grocery store. There are many different varieties, but we like rollups with low-fat meats like turkey or roast beef over higher fat options like salami.
6. Sunflower Seeds
A serving of raw or roasted sunflower seed kernels contains up to seven grams of protein. This means just a handful of sunflower seeds can give you the boost you need while traveling.
7. Homemade Protein Balls
You can make your own little balls of energy in just a few seconds, and you can control the ingredients. Bring your homemade protein balls with you and reach for one instead of stopping at the convenience store for a candy bar. Here are eight easy, no-bake protein ball recipes you can whip up.
8. Nuts
Bring yourself a bag of nuts to snack on while you’re driving. Peanuts are a great choice, offering around 6.9 grams of protein per ounce. Or, you can try something like almonds which have around six grams of protein per ounce.
Fuel Your Day With a Protein-Packed Snack From Wild River
You can’t go wrong with any of these snacks to keep in the car. However, if you’re looking for something that tastes great and packs a protein punch, look no further than Wild River Old Fashioned Beef Jerky.
Find our products here on our website or buy Wild River Old Fashioned Beef Jerky in a store near you.
Wild River Jerky does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.