So now that I’m a mom of four kids ages 6 and under. I’ve had to streamline my meals, grocery shopping, and pantry staples. This has been especially true now that I’ve headed back to working part-time and seeing one on one clients. Gone are the days of making pancakes from scratch, enjoying a cup o still warm tea, and quiet mornings (unless I want to get up at 4:00 AM….um it probably will not happen).
Since most of my clients have families of their own and are just as busy juggling everyone’s day-to-day activities, I thought it would be good to share the top 5 protein foods I have been relying on lately.
How much protein do you need?
When I have more protein for my meals and snacks, I’ve noticed I just feel better. Call it the better blood sugar control or impact protein has on our satiety gut hormones – either way, my body feels better, and my mood is MUCH better when I have a balanced meal/snack with adequate protein.
The same goes for my kids. They feel better eating a more balanced meal or snack, thus act better, making my life easier. Most kids from 4 – 13 years old need anywhere from 20 – 30 grams of protein per day. Which doesn’t really sound like a lot – but throw a picky eater into the mix (like my own four-year-old), and it can be more complicated than you expect.
Protein Bars & Cookies
Rx Kids
To be honest, these Rx Kid Bars have been an absolute lifesaver. Packed with about 5 grams of protein in each bar, they are the perfect size for kids and are soft, easy to chew, and contain no nut chunks. I used to buy my kids the adult version of these, but they didn’t go over that well, and I found that we were wasting most of the bar when my four-year-old picked out EVERY SINGLE almond piece. That being said, I was hesitant to pay to buy separate bars for my kids. Was it worth the extra cost?!
Um, yes, yes it was. These are stashed in my diaper bag, car, and even my work bag. My four-year-old son loves peanut butter chocolate, and my daughter is a big fan of double chocolate chip. Sometimes on those mornings (oh mom, you know those mornings), this is what I grab my kids for a quick snack/pre-breakfast they can nom on in the car on the way to school and preschool. I find it easier to subscribe to these on a monthly order at Amazon; that way, I don’t have to remember to order.
Extra points go to these Rx Bars for containing egg white protein, as it is lowest in arsenic, lead, and cadmium versus other types.
Munk Pack Cookies
When I was deep into my morning sickness with the twins, I relied heavily on these Munk Pack Protein Cookies. to make it through the day. The plant-based protein was easy to digest, kept me full longer, and stabilized my blood sugars better than crackers or granola bars. They contain Monk Fruit extract as a sweetener, so they are lower in carbohydrates than other “cookies.” They are all gluten-free and soy-free, so they can be a great convenient snack for those who may have food sensitivities. My two favorite flavors ended up being Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate Macadamia. You can find them at health food stores, Wal-Mart, and directly on their website.
Dried Food
Jerky
Another easy snack I love to have on hand for my family is jerky, dried seeds, and nuts. For jerky, The New Primal makes some great jerky products. My kids’ favorite has been these Turkey Sticks. They come in multiple flavors, but my kids have really been a big fan of the turkey. I like to buy them in a bulk pack. That way, I can stash them in my car, bags, and pantry for an emergency snack or tantrum attack. Sometimes I wonder if I have a food hoarding problem…..
But anyways – loved how these jerky sticks don’t contain all the additives and chemicals traditional jerky has. Honey, celery powder, and onion powder are the main ingredients – and are ingredients I feel good about feeding my kids. You can buy these jerky sticks HERE.
Dried Seeds
If you are more of a plant-based family – look no further than sprouted seeds. My favorite are these Go Raw Pumpkin Seeds.
Besides protein, pumpkin seeds are a great source of magnesium (a mineral we all could use a little more of) and fiber. They’ll help you and your family stay full longer on the go, which is why I always keep them around to add to salads, soups, and sweetened snacks. I’ve found that they are easier to chew for my kids than nuts, plus they are safe to take to school!
Easy Breakfast
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, but sometimes it can be a pain to make. I always feel rushed in the morning (no matter how early I wake up), and I don’t like leaving my kitchen a mess before I head to work. That’s why I have been LOVING these protein waffles.
Kodiak Cakes
Simply put, my four-year-old is obsessed with THESE. He loves these waffles so much. He likes to eat them plain and even on the go. I love that they have simple ingredients but still packs a whopping 10gm of protein for two waffles.
We have been using the mix to make a big batch ahead of time for the week to save money. The mix also allows you to make it dairy-free (which I need due to my cow’s milk sensitivity). To even add more of a nutrition punch, throw some egg white protein powder or collagen (see one of my favs below).
Improved skin and joints on the go
After the birth of my twins, I really tried to focus on eating well for recovery and supplementing with the right products to help my body heal. Now, I’ll dive more into collagen in a later post. But I really believe that supplementing with the right type of collagen along with the right vitamins has helped me recover and feel more comfortable in my skin and new body quicker than I (or my doctor) expected. You can buy these collagen packets online, and I found them to be SO convenient to have (again) in my bag to add to smoothies or treats on the go.
Time is money
As Ben Franklin put it – “Time is money.” – and oh man, has I become aware of this now. I’ve definitely had to weigh the cost/benefit of some of these food items. Could I probably make a “cheaper” version of some of my favorite go-to snacks – yeah, I bet I could – but would I have the time to do it?! NO!
So for me, it’s worth spending a little more for convenience so I can have more time with my family. I know not everyone has that ability, so the critical thing to remember is that, whether you buy or bake, having the right knowledge of how to make your family and yourself feel well with food on any budget is key.
