Food List

High-Protein Snack Foods

Snacks are an easy place to add protein and stay full between meals, but many common ones are mostly carbs and fat. This list ranks simple, protein-rich snack foods so you can choose options that actually keep hunger in check.

Food Protein Per 100 g Per serving
Whey protein powder Eggs & dairy 80 g 354 kcal P 80 · C 8 · F 6 30 g (1.1 oz) 106 kcal · P 24 1 scoop
Parmesan Eggs & dairy 36 g 392 kcal P 36 · C 3.2 · F 26 30 g (1.1 oz) 118 kcal · P 10.8 1 grated
Beef jerky Meat & poultry 33 g 410 kcal P 33 · C 11 · F 26 · Fib 1.8 28 g (1 oz) 115 kcal · P 9.2 1 portion
Rabbit Meat & poultry 33 g 173 kcal P 33 · C 0 · F 3.5 120 g (4.2 oz) 208 kcal · P 39.6 1 portion
Hemp seeds Nuts & seeds 32 g 553 kcal P 32 · C 9 · F 49 · Fib 4 30 g (1.1 oz) 166 kcal · P 9.6 1 3 tbsp
Chicken breast (skinless) Meat & poultry 31 g 165 kcal P 31 · C 0 · F 3.6 150 g (5.3 oz) 248 kcal · P 46.5 1 breast
Veal (lean) Meat & poultry 31 g 172 kcal P 31 · C 0 · F 5 120 g (4.2 oz) 206 kcal · P 37.2 1 portion
Turkey breast Meat & poultry 30 g 135 kcal P 30 · C 0 · F 1 120 g (4.2 oz) 162 kcal · P 36 1 fillet
Venison Meat & poultry 30 g 158 kcal P 30 · C 0 · F 3.2 120 g (4.2 oz) 190 kcal · P 36 1 portion
Pumpkin seeds Nuts & seeds 30 g 559 kcal P 30 · C 11 · F 49 · Fib 6 28 g (1 oz) 157 kcal · P 8.4 1 handful
Anchovies (canned) Fish & seafood 29 g 210 kcal P 29 · C 0 · F 10 45 g (1.6 oz) 95 kcal · P 13.1 1 portion
Bison (lean) Meat & poultry 28 g 146 kcal P 28 · C 0 · F 3 125 g (4.4 oz) 183 kcal · P 35 1 portion
Chicken drumstick (skinless) Meat & poultry 28 g 172 kcal P 28 · C 0 · F 6 100 g (3.5 oz) 172 kcal · P 28 1 drumstick
Turkey mince (lean) Meat & poultry 27 g 150 kcal P 27 · C 0 · F 4 125 g (4.4 oz) 188 kcal · P 33.8 1 portion
Lean beef (sirloin) Meat & poultry 27 g 183 kcal P 27 · C 0 · F 8 150 g (5.3 oz) 275 kcal · P 40.5 1 steak
Goat meat Meat & poultry 27 g 143 kcal P 27 · C 0 · F 3 120 g (4.2 oz) 172 kcal · P 32.4 1 portion
Chicken thigh (skinless) Meat & poultry 26 g 209 kcal P 26 · C 0 · F 11 110 g (3.9 oz) 230 kcal · P 28.6 1 thigh
Pork tenderloin Meat & poultry 26 g 143 kcal P 26 · C 0 · F 4 120 g (4.2 oz) 172 kcal · P 31.2 1 fillet
Pork loin chop Meat & poultry 26 g 209 kcal P 26 · C 0 · F 11 120 g (4.2 oz) 251 kcal · P 31.2 1 chop
Tuna (canned in water) Fish & seafood 26 g 116 kcal P 26 · C 0 · F 1 145 g (5.1 oz) 168 kcal · P 37.7 1 tin
Peanuts Nuts & seeds 26 g 567 kcal P 26 · C 16 · F 49 · Fib 9 28 g (1 oz) 159 kcal · P 7.3 1 handful
Lamb (lean) Meat & poultry 25 g 206 kcal P 25 · C 0 · F 11 120 g (4.2 oz) 247 kcal · P 30 1 portion
Sardines (canned) Fish & seafood 25 g 208 kcal P 25 · C 0 · F 11 90 g (3.2 oz) 187 kcal · P 22.5 1 tin
Cheddar cheese Eggs & dairy 25 g 402 kcal P 25 · C 1.3 · F 33 30 g (1.1 oz) 121 kcal · P 7.5 1 slice
Peanut butter Nuts & seeds 25 g 588 kcal P 25 · C 20 · F 50 · Fib 6 32 g (1.1 oz) 188 kcal · P 8 1 2 tbsp
Edam cheese Eggs & dairy 25 g 357 kcal P 25 · C 1.4 · F 28 30 g (1.1 oz) 107 kcal · P 7.5 1 slice
Duck breast (skinless) Meat & poultry 24 g 140 kcal P 24 · C 0 · F 4.5 130 g (4.6 oz) 182 kcal · P 31.2 1 breast
Prawns / shrimp Fish & seafood 24 g 99 kcal P 24 · C 0.2 · F 0.3 100 g (3.5 oz) 99 kcal · P 24 1 portion
Tuna steak (fresh) Fish & seafood 23 g 144 kcal P 23 · C 0 · F 5 150 g (5.3 oz) 216 kcal · P 34.5 1 steak
Halibut Fish & seafood 23 g 111 kcal P 23 · C 0 · F 2.3 150 g (5.3 oz) 167 kcal · P 34.5 1 fillet
Mozzarella Eggs & dairy 22 g 280 kcal P 22 · C 2.2 · F 17 50 g (1.8 oz) 140 kcal · P 11 1 portion
Halloumi Eggs & dairy 22 g 321 kcal P 22 · C 2.2 · F 25 60 g (2.1 oz) 193 kcal · P 13.2 1 portion
Goat cheese Eggs & dairy 22 g 364 kcal P 22 · C 0.1 · F 30 40 g (1.4 oz) 146 kcal · P 8.8 1 portion
Lean ground beef (5% fat) Meat & poultry 21 g 137 kcal P 21 · C 0 · F 5 125 g (4.4 oz) 171 kcal · P 26.3 1 portion
Ham (lean) Meat & poultry 21 g 145 kcal P 21 · C 1.5 · F 6 80 g (2.8 oz) 116 kcal · P 16.8 1 slices
Almonds Nuts & seeds 21 g 579 kcal P 21 · C 22 · F 50 · Fib 12 28 g (1 oz) 162 kcal · P 5.9 1 handful
Sunflower seeds Nuts & seeds 21 g 584 kcal P 21 · C 20 · F 51 · Fib 9 28 g (1 oz) 164 kcal · P 5.9 1 handful
Almond butter Nuts & seeds 21 g 614 kcal P 21 · C 19 · F 56 · Fib 10 32 g (1.1 oz) 196 kcal · P 6.7 1 2 tbsp
Salmon Fish & seafood 20 g 208 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 13 150 g (5.3 oz) 312 kcal · P 30 1 fillet
Haddock Fish & seafood 20 g 90 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 0.6 150 g (5.3 oz) 135 kcal · P 30 1 fillet
Tilapia Fish & seafood 20 g 96 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 1.7 130 g (4.6 oz) 125 kcal · P 26 1 fillet
Trout Fish & seafood 20 g 141 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 6 130 g (4.6 oz) 183 kcal · P 26 1 fillet
Tempeh Legumes 20 g 192 kcal P 20 · C 8 · F 11 100 g (3.5 oz) 192 kcal · P 20 1 portion
Pistachios Nuts & seeds 20 g 560 kcal P 20 · C 28 · F 45 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 157 kcal · P 5.6 1 handful
Pollock Fish & seafood 20 g 92 kcal P 20 · C 0 · F 1 130 g (4.6 oz) 120 kcal · P 26 1 fillet
Mackerel Fish & seafood 19 g 205 kcal P 19 · C 0 · F 14 120 g (4.2 oz) 246 kcal · P 22.8 1 fillet
Crab Fish & seafood 19 g 97 kcal P 19 · C 0 · F 1.5 100 g (3.5 oz) 97 kcal · P 19 1 portion
Natto Legumes 19 g 211 kcal P 19 · C 13 · F 11 · Fib 5.4 85 g (3 oz) 179 kcal · P 16.2 1 portion
Cod Fish & seafood 18 g 82 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 0.7 150 g (5.3 oz) 123 kcal · P 27 1 fillet
Sea bass Fish & seafood 18 g 97 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 2 130 g (4.6 oz) 126 kcal · P 23.4 1 fillet
Cashews Nuts & seeds 18 g 553 kcal P 18 · C 30 · F 44 · Fib 3.3 28 g (1 oz) 155 kcal · P 5 1 handful
Flaxseed Nuts & seeds 18 g 534 kcal P 18 · C 29 · F 42 · Fib 27 20 g (0.7 oz) 107 kcal · P 3.6 1 2 tbsp
Smoked salmon Fish & seafood 18 g 117 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 4.3 56 g (2 oz) 66 kcal · P 10.1 1 portion
Sesame seeds Nuts & seeds 18 g 573 kcal P 18 · C 23 · F 50 · Fib 12 18 g (0.6 oz) 103 kcal · P 3.2 1 2 tbsp
Herring Fish & seafood 18 g 158 kcal P 18 · C 0 · F 9 120 g (4.2 oz) 190 kcal · P 21.6 1 fillet
Cashew butter Nuts & seeds 18 g 587 kcal P 18 · C 28 · F 49 · Fib 2 32 g (1.1 oz) 188 kcal · P 5.8 1 2 tbsp
Poppy seeds Nuts & seeds 18 g 525 kcal P 18 · C 28 · F 42 · Fib 20 18 g (0.6 oz) 95 kcal · P 3.2 1 2 tbsp
Chicken liver Meat & poultry 17 g 119 kcal P 17 · C 0.7 · F 4.8 100 g (3.5 oz) 119 kcal · P 17 1 portion
Scallops Fish & seafood 17 g 88 kcal P 17 · C 2.4 · F 0.8 100 g (3.5 oz) 88 kcal · P 17 1 portion
Tofu (firm) Legumes 17 g 144 kcal P 17 · C 3 · F 9 · Fib 2 100 g (3.5 oz) 144 kcal · P 17 1 block
Chia seeds Nuts & seeds 17 g 486 kcal P 17 · C 42 · F 31 · Fib 34 24 g (0.8 oz) 117 kcal · P 4.1 1 2 tbsp
Tahini Nuts & seeds 17 g 595 kcal P 17 · C 21 · F 54 · Fib 9 30 g (1.1 oz) 179 kcal · P 5.1 1 2 tbsp
Squid Fish & seafood 16 g 92 kcal P 16 · C 3 · F 1.4 100 g (3.5 oz) 92 kcal · P 16 1 portion
Walnuts Nuts & seeds 15 g 654 kcal P 15 · C 14 · F 65 · Fib 7 28 g (1 oz) 183 kcal · P 4.2 1 handful
Hazelnuts Nuts & seeds 15 g 628 kcal P 15 · C 17 · F 61 · Fib 10 28 g (1 oz) 176 kcal · P 4.2 1 handful
Octopus Fish & seafood 15 g 82 kcal P 15 · C 2.2 · F 1 100 g (3.5 oz) 82 kcal · P 15 1 portion
Clams Fish & seafood 15 g 86 kcal P 15 · C 3 · F 1 100 g (3.5 oz) 86 kcal · P 15 1 portion
Feta Eggs & dairy 14 g 264 kcal P 14 · C 4 · F 21 50 g (1.8 oz) 132 kcal · P 7 1 portion
Brazil nuts Nuts & seeds 14 g 659 kcal P 14 · C 12 · F 67 · Fib 8 28 g (1 oz) 185 kcal · P 3.9 1 handful
Pine nuts Nuts & seeds 14 g 673 kcal P 14 · C 13 · F 68 · Fib 3.7 28 g (1 oz) 188 kcal · P 3.9 1 handful
Cacao nibs Nuts & seeds 14 g 615 kcal P 14 · C 36 · F 43 · Fib 33 28 g (1 oz) 172 kcal · P 3.9 1 portion
Eggs Eggs & dairy 13 g 143 kcal P 13 · C 1.1 · F 9.5 100 g (3.5 oz) 143 kcal · P 13 1 2 large
Falafel Legumes 13 g 333 kcal P 13 · C 32 · F 18 · Fib 5 51 g (1.8 oz) 170 kcal · P 6.6 1 3 pieces
Mussels Fish & seafood 12 g 86 kcal P 12 · C 3.7 · F 2.2 100 g (3.5 oz) 86 kcal · P 12 1 portion
Cottage cheese (low-fat) Eggs & dairy 12 g 72 kcal P 12 · C 3 · F 1 150 g (5.3 oz) 108 kcal · P 18 1 portion
Quark Eggs & dairy 12 g 67 kcal P 12 · C 4 · F 0.2 150 g (5.3 oz) 101 kcal · P 18 1 portion
Miso paste Legumes 12 g 199 kcal P 12 · C 26 · F 6 · Fib 5.4 17 g (0.6 oz) 34 kcal · P 2 1 tbsp
Egg whites Eggs & dairy 11 g 52 kcal P 11 · C 0.7 · F 0.2 100 g (3.5 oz) 52 kcal · P 11 1 3 whites
Skyr Eggs & dairy 11 g 63 kcal P 11 · C 4 · F 0.2 150 g (5.3 oz) 95 kcal · P 16.5 1 tub
Ricotta Eggs & dairy 11 g 174 kcal P 11 · C 3 · F 13 100 g (3.5 oz) 174 kcal · P 11 1 portion

Good protein snacks include Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, a handful of nuts, edamame, jerky, hummus with veg, or a boiled egg. Aim for around 15 to 20 g to bridge meals.

Frequently asked questions

What are good high-protein snacks?

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, a handful of nuts or seeds, edamame, beef jerky, and hummus with vegetables are all simple, protein-rich snacks.

How much protein should a snack have?

A snack with around 15 to 20 g of protein is enough to help bridge the gap between meals and keep hunger under control.

Nutrition values are approximate, per 100 g, derived from the USDA FoodData Central database. Serving sizes are typical examples and will vary.

welanutria provides general information only and is not medical or dietary advice.