5 Protein-Packed Versions of Your Favorite Junk Food

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Get Jacked With Junk

To get muscular results, you’re supposed to eat about 200 grams of protein a day, which is equivalent to about six chicken breasts. Consuming that much protein in one day isn’t the easiest thing to do, it’s a struggle for many of us. Fortunately, you can get sources of protein from several less-than-healthy drink options (ahem, frappucino) and snacks formally seen as “junk” food. While we aren’t recommending that you get all of your protein from these sources, it’s beneficial to know that that there some other protein-packed alternatives.

No. 1: Chips

Chips have a reputation for having zero nutrition — they’re just packed with fat. However, protein chips have come to the rescue — packing in around two grams of fat and 10-21 grams of protein. 

Option 1: Quest Protein Chips

Option 2: AmBari Potato Chips

Option 3: SimplyChoices Kosher Simply Protein Chips 

Nutritional Info

Serving size: 1 Bag

Quest: 120 calories, 21g protein, 1.5g fat, 5g carbs 

AmBari: 130 calories, 10g protein, 4g fat, 16g carbs

SimplyChoices: 140 calories, 15g protein, 4g fat, 11g carbs

No. 2: Ice Cream

Warm weather only means one thing: ice cream. It’s what cools you off on those sweltering days, but you won’t have to miss out on the sweet indulgence. Roll up your sleeves and make your own ice cream, which will cut the fat and calories. 

Check out this recipe: it’s quick, nutritious, and packed with protein. And if you’re short on time or would rather buy your ice cream, Halo Top Creamery has seven grams of protein, 70 calories, and four grams of net carbs per serving.

What you’ll Need:

  • 6 frozen bananas
  • 1-2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp all natural peanut butter
  • dark chocolate shavings or fresh fruit for a topping

Directions

Recipe adapted from My Fussy Eater.

  1. Peel 6 bananas and cut them into individual pieces. Freeze overnight.

  2. Place the bananas in a blender with the milk and vanilla extract, and blend.

  3. Add the cocoa, peanut butter, and protein powder to the mixture and continue blending until everything’s combined.

  4. Transfer the mixture into a cup or bowl and top it off with dark chocolate shavings or fresh fruit.

No. 3: Cookies

Let’s admit it: cookies are delicious, but they’re made with white flour, sugar, and butter. Those three ingredients can do a lot of macro damage. There’s light at the end of the tunnel — protein cookies. They contain the same ingredients, but are packed with protein. 

Remember it’s all about moderation.

Option 1: Tri-O-Plex Cookies, Chocolate Chip

Option 2: Lenny & Larry’s The Complete Cookie (Vegan, Non-GMO)

Option 3: BioTrust Protein Cookies

No. 4: Soda

You should know by know how bad soda is for your health. Consuming excess sugar won’t only pack on the weight, but can also put you at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. So what’s the good news? You can make your own healthy soda without tossing back a monstrous amount of sugar. 

What you’ll Need

Serves 6

  • 3 cups all-natural fruit juice. Just stay away from the juices that contain high-fructose corn syrup. 
  • 1 scoop whey protein powder (your flavor of choice)
  • Seltzer or soda water
  • Ice

Pancakes

I consider pancakes to be the “breakfast junk food” because it’s sugar, flour, and butter. Delicious? Yes. Nutritious? Not really. We all know that fruit, yogurt, and eggs have a more nutritional value, but some days we just want pancakes slathered in maple syrup. This recipe is packed with 20 grams of protein, natural sweeteners, zero animal fat, and zero guilt.  

What You’ll Need

Serves 2

  • 1 large banana, mashed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 serving vanilla vegan protein powder

Directions

  1. Whisk together non-dairy milk, mashed banana, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix remaining dry ingredients.
  3. Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet, mix until just combined. Add more non-dairy milk if batter appears too thick.
  4. Melt coconut oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat, or use a griddle .
  5. Add a quarter cup of the batter into the pan. Flip once bubbles have formed and popped (approximately 2 minutes per side).

Optional toppings: banana slices, chopped nuts, maple or agave syrup.

Recipe provided by MyVega.
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