Proteinproteinprotein. In America, you can never have enough protein.
Got a stain on your shirt? Have some protein.
Phone died? Have some protein.
Broke your left toe? Have some protein.
It’s next to impossible to be deficient in protein if you’re consuming enough calories. Did you know that your body only needs 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram body weight? Did you know that after consuming about 25 grams of protein at a time, the rest is stored as fuel?
Now don’t get me wrong—protein is very, very important. But we tend to go a liiiiittle over-board. Like I love when people hear I don’t eat meat and immediately ask me where I got my shirt from.
Kidding. They of course immediately ask me where I get my protein. Because if you don’t eat steak, how the hell are you even alive?!
To many people, meat = protein. Bread = carbs. Butter = fat. There’s a lot more to the macronutrient story than that, my friends. I get plenty of protein each day from foods like beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, tempeh, spirulina, and brown rice protein powder after workouts. My albumin is right where it should be, as are my iron, B12, and calcium levels. Plant power, baby!
You needn’t smash chicken breasts and quest bars and whey protein shakes to be fit. Shocking, I know.
When it comes to plant-based protein powder, choose a clean brown rice, pea, or hemp protein (or combination) that’s naturally sweetened with stevia or a bit of coconut sugar. My favorites include Skoop B-Strong brown rice protein, Vega Protein + Greens, or Manitoba Harvest Hemp Pro 70. Stay away from soy protein isolate, which is the most highly processed form of soy. Lots of mainstream protein powders are packed with sucralose, aspartame, and crazy artificial colors. No thank you!
Next time you’re feeling hangry (which was just added to the dictionary, by the way), snack on a plant-powered protein bar that requires no cooking at all. Homemade no-bake protein bars are one of my favorite ways to simultaneously squash my sweet tooth and calm the hunger beast when that mid-day slump rolls around.
Chicken optional.
No-Bake Cherry Vanilla Protein Bars
No-Bake White Chocolate Chip Protein Bars via Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Homemade Chunky Almond Butter thinkThin Bars via Eating Bird Food
Vegan Homemade Protein Bars with Hidden Veggies via Food, Faith, Fitness
No-Bake Banana Nut Protein Bars
No-Bake Cookies and Cream Protein Bars via The Big Man’s World
No-Bake Mint Chocolate Protein Bars via The Healthy Maven
No-Bake Double Chocolate Fudge Protein Bars via Running with Spoons
Super Seed Chocolate Protein Bars via Vegan Richa
5-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars via Making Thyme for Health
Paleo Mango Coconut Almond Protein Bars via Cotter Crunch
I’ll admit that I usually run the other way when I see “protein” in a title. I just don’t get the craze over eating alllll the protein and I think 99.9% of people are eating way too much. So thanks for what you wrote. 🙂 That said, I have nothing against a tasty bar and looks like you’ve found the best of the best!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} recently posted…I Cheated on Stitch Fix with Trendsend
overboard on protein? NEVER! I kid, I kid. yes, um ‘mericans tend to pack every ounce of protein into food. At least these options are like the real deal –> GOOD QUALITY STUFF!
Can you do me a favor and explain to Curt why he doesn’t need 50+ grams of animal protein with every single meal? I tried to institute meatless mondays and that lasted all of 10 minutes ARGH. Maybe I’ll convince him with vegan protein bars? Thanks for including me lovebug! xox
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…{VIDEO} Healthy Peanut Butter Cookies
I’m gonna call C and give him a big piece of my mind!!!! JK. Kind of. 🙂
A batch of one of these would make me very happy to take to Louisville for my IM , immm just saying ; )))
Hehehe I gotcha girllll!
I’m getting my hair cut shortly. How much protein is in hair?
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…I was in my mid 20’s and had a nervous breakdown Part 2
All the protein. Even more than your toes.
I love pea and rice proteins…It is so much more gentle on my stomach and I recommend these to many friends and clients…The whey, soy, and isolate, and other terms I cannot pronounce do not go well with my stomach. Great post friend! XOXO
She Rocks Fitness recently posted…She ROCKS Bench Workout
Right on! It’s all about what the tummy likes, and I think brown rice is my tummy’s bestie.
I am so hesitant to buy protein powder, because it seems like a money sucker and I’d usually rather just eat something. But then I see recipes like these delicious ones and I’m torn. It does seem like protein powder is incredibly convenient for post-workout snacks!
Kate recently posted…Why I say “I am recovered”
I use Sunwarrior, Warrior Blend raw vegan protein (natural flavor cuz I don’t like stevia). That is a good one, right? BTW…These bars look amazing- thanks!!! 🙂
Hahaha that is sooo accurate!! I get asked way too many times “how do I get enough protein?”
Its really not as hard as they seem to think! Thanks for sharing this round up 🙂
Beverley @ sweaty&fit recently posted…REVIEW: Lululemon “Free to Be Wild” Sports Bra
You’re welcome! Ohhhh my favorite question 🙂
the conversation with protein never stops…people really feel like they need so much more protein. this is an awesome roundup.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Hummus Wrap
Thanks, lady! It’s always an interesting conversation to have 🙂
Ohh these all look delish! Vega is one of my fav vegan protein powders. I just started school and need healthy portable snacks, so I can’t wait to try some of these.
Also – I’m sure a lot people ALSO want to know where you get your shirts from in addition to your protein 🙂
Whitney @ To Live & Diet in L.A. recently posted…Salmon Avocado Tartare Tartine
What a great round up of no-bake bars! I’ve been experimenting with afternoon snacks, and I’ve learned that an apple + PB will keep me fuller/less bloated/more energy than a quest bar. Shouldn’t come as a major surprise!
I feel like people have the same reaction to protein as they do calcium. You can get so much calcium from leafy greens and broccoli – it doesn’t have to be milk!
Quest bars have soooo much added fiber, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they caused some belly bloat!
Hey lady, excellent post and thank you for pointing out that the body can only absorb and utilise a certain amount of protein at once. I really feel like Americans should change their focus of “pushing” away from protein, coz virtually no one needs more… and towards vegetables, hey?? 😉 xx
Rebecca Lwin recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
Right?! Like how about we focus on veggies for one little second! The world would be a better place, that’s for sure.
THANK YOU! The protein obsession drives me kind of nutty, especially after I tried going on a higher protein diet a handful of times and never felt worse. Plants need more love. And thank YOU for the link love <3
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. caramel apple overnight oatmeal smoothie .
Love for the plants baby!
I need to try all of these!!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains recently posted…Beach WOD 08/21/15