There’s one fact about protein snacks that just doesn’t make sense. From the second you eat one, to the moment you look at the ingredients and all the nutrients in it, you probably wonder how something so light on calories can be so packed with protein and benefits.
Well, it’s not magic, and it’s actually pretty easy to understand once you learn a couple of things about the types of ingredients that go into making them.
Today, we’re going to explain how to choose low calorie protein snacks that are light yet still packed with filling goodness.
Let’s get started.
Which Protein Snacks are We Talking About?
There are a lot of protein snacks on the market, and we can’t just drop an umbrella statement over all of them. Each one is made differently, tastes differently, and provides different nutrients. As such, many of them aren’t light.
However, we can talk about our high-protein cookie dough bites, and they’re extremely light, especially compared to protein bars. Considering they have 15 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and 6 grams of sugar, and they only have 270 calories per bag, they might as well be featherweights that pack a massive punch.
That’s the bar we’ll be setting, and if you do happen to see anything else with similar stats, you can always see how they stack up against our delicious bites. Just don’t forget to compare the taste, too. We know we’ll win that every time.
How High-Protein Snacks Stay Light
There is one core reason that high-protein snacks stay light when they’re made properly. The way macros are focused.
Different ingredients have different chemical makeups and densities. Even two sources of protein that provide the same 15 grams of protein can greatly vary in calorie density due to the fat content.
Protein snacks that are higher in calories are a lot more likely to be made with protein sources that are higher in fat content. Fat content packs more calories into each gram without actually offering much in return for those calories.
On the other hand, protein snacks that are light on calories but big on protein do the opposite. They use lean protein sources. They have less fat content from the protein source, and you get more protein for your caloric budget. That’s why choosing the right low calorie protein snack ingredients is so important. It's the key to crafting a quality snack that delivers maximum nutrition without any unnecessary extras.
In a way, this is like having $20 and picking what to eat. You can go to a fast food joint and get a lot of fat while ending up hungry a couple of hours later, or you can take that same $20, load up on vegetables and whole-muscle chicken or beef, and you’ll have enough to keep you going all day without ever getting hungry.
This is just on the macro scale instead of something bigger and easier to track.
That doesn’t mean there’s no fat in our delicious protein cookie dough bites. In fact, we purposely added some healthy fats so that our bites stay high in protein and low in sugar. That sounds weird coming from a wellness and fitness brand since everyone acts like fat is the epitome of evil, but fat is still good for you.
In the right amounts, it provides a necessary energy reserve that keeps your body from breaking down muscle to fuel itself, and it also helps you absorb more vitamins since many of them are fat-soluble. Choosing smart low calorie protein snack ingredients helps your body get what it needs nutritionally, beyond just reducing calorie intake.
Why a Protein Snack needs to be Light
Protein snacks are often marketed toward the really athletic types. People who burn through tons of calories every day need more protein than what their dinner entree can provide.
So, why does a protein snack need to be light? Calories aren’t really that important to the target audience, right?
Wrong.
First, calories are still highly important for even the most extreme athletes. A bodybuilder might be able to consume two or three times the calories of an average adult each day, but they have to micromanage every single calorie that goes in and out to keep that up safely, maintain their gains, and prevent a lot of issues.
Even athletes who don’t go quite as far need to keep track of the calories and make sure every calorie is providing maximum nutritional value before it’s added to their daily diet.
Being an athlete who can eat way more than the average person with seemingly little consequence isn’t a free ride to gorge recklessly, and the consequences for doing so can be even more dramatic for the extreme athlete.
However, even outside of that niche audience that needs to min-max their diets perfectly, protein snacks aren’t just for them.
In fact, our protein cookie dough snacks are extremely popular with average, everyday adults just looking to get a quick and filling snack on a short lunch break, fill up during a long day of errands, or keep their bodies going on a hike. They’re convenient, filling, and provide the protein your body needs to stay energized and support muscle growth.
When you have a 2000-calorie daily budget, spending 400 of them on a snack is almost a quarter of your budget. 270 calories from FUUL is much more manageable and ensures you keep enough free time for delicious meals.
A snack should be packed with the nutrients you need, whether you’re trying to get big or just need to stay full through your shift. It doesn’t need to take up half your calorie budget, though.
FUUL Blends High-Protein with Big Taste and Low Calories
If you’re looking for the best low calorie high protein snacks, regardless of why you need the extra protein, you don’t have to settle for something that’s going to throw off your calorie count or leave you taking extra small portions at dinner time. You deserve a snack that’s healthy, filling, and of course, light on calories.
For that, you have to try FUUL.
FUUL is a delicious multi-system protein snack that comes in two distinct flavors: classic chocolate chip and nostalgic birthday cake. It takes you back to when you’d eat cookie dough right out of the tube, but you don’t have to worry about salmonella, gaining weight, or empty calories.
FUUL has 15 grams of protein, 8 grams of fat, and just 6 grams of sugar to deliver big protein and big taste with just a tiny fraction of your daily calorie budget.
If you need help with your order or have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today - we’re always here to help!