Protein on the go

August 21, 2014 4:38 PM

I'm looking for vegetarian high protein / paleo foods that are easy to carry while on the go. Snowflakes inside...

I already eat high protein bars, but am looking for other foods that might work.

I've tried veggie beef jerky but it tastes awful. Are there "protein shots" like Clif bar shot bloks? Is there protein goo? Some super easy way to get protein throughout the day that doesn't need refrigeration? I carry almonds around with me, but am looking for other options. I've tried mixing up protein powder and water every day but I keep forgetting the bottles and they get icky fast.

I'm also curious about easy to find snack foods (at convenience stores or fast food restaurants) for a (lacto-, ovo- eating) vegetarian who wants to eat a lot of protein. Basically, where is it easy to find cheese, eggs, nuts, and protein-enhanced foods?

posted by 3491again to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

Hard boiled eggs.

cheese cubes (best at room temp, no refrigeration required.)

nut butter in individual cups to be scooped out with celery. Or packed into celery and put in little plastic bags.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 4:47 PM on August 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

As long as the wax is unbroken, Babybel cheeses do not have to be refrigerated.
posted by Michele in California at 4:48 PM on August 21, 2014

You can find yogurt in most convenience stores and also drugstores like Walgreens.
posted by mochapickle at 4:55 PM on August 21, 2014

Hummus?

It's possible to grind chickpeas or black beans, bake them slightly salted and eat them like crackers. These both may be considered not paleo though because they are legumes. You could probably do the same thing with lentils though.
posted by floweredfish at 4:57 PM on August 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

You can get individual squeezy packets of peanut butter and almond butter at places like Whole Foods, and also online. I suppose you could squeeze them out onto apples or celery, but I usually just eat it right from the packet.

There are also individual, shelf-stable servings of hummus, in cup, with-pretzels-for-dipping, and squeezy tube formats. The first two links provided for illustration only--I've found them at Costco, grocery stores, and even some convenience stores. Oh, and most of the little fresh food shops in major airports have them, too. Amazon is the best place for the squeezy tubes.

I'm also curious about easy to find snack foods (at convenience stores or fast food restaurants)

Most convenience stores and drugstores in my area have a little section with sandwiches and other grab-n-go foods, and they usually have one- or two-packs of peeled hard boiled eggs, as well as egg salad sandwiches that are often not awful. They also have a couple shelves in the drink coolers for refrigerated dairy convenience foods, including blocks of cheese and string cheese. The convenience stores with little delis hidden inside often have deviled eggs, as well.
posted by rhiannonstone at 5:24 PM on August 21, 2014

7-11 has a pack with 2 eggs, a slice of cheese and a packet of saltines. In emergency situations, for $1.49 you're loaded with protein (I toss the saltines).

Look in the refrigerated snacks section.
posted by 26.2 at 5:26 PM on August 21, 2014 [1 favorite]

If you are in a city, in an area with a lot of offices, look for the places that serve them lunch -- many have pre-cut pre-wrapped little blocks of cheeses, bags of nuts, boiled eggs, hummus, and stuff that goes with them (not sure what the parameters of 'paleo' are, though).

PB2, a powdered, fat-removed peanut butter thing, is easy to store and has a decent amount of protein. I really like eating the chocolate PB2 plain.
posted by kmennie at 6:51 PM on August 21, 2014

Starbucks sells roasted nuts by the cash register. They also have snack plates of fruit/cheese, and another with a hard-boiled egg, peanut butter, etc.
posted by invisible ink at 7:10 PM on August 21, 2014

Dry-roasted edamame. I just buy it at the grocery store - it's everywhere. I also eat roasted soynuts. (Are these paleo? How strict are you about eating paleo?If you're a vegetarian, I imagine you eat legumes).

Yogurt is fine unrefrigerated for quite a while. Not for days and days, but it can handle a day in a backpack. (Is dairy okay? If it's not, I think coconut milk yogurt should be fine, but it's way more expensive and only available specialty stores like Whole Foods. Tasty, though).

Clif does make energy gels, but they're basically gooey Gatorade and not what you're looking for.

Honestly, as much as I don't like Starbucks, they reliably have nuts and other pre-packaged healthy snacks.
posted by ablazingsaddle at 8:19 PM on August 21, 2014

I thought veggie jerky tasted like solidified, barbecued pond scum until I tried the "Primal Strips" vegan jerky. Those, in my opinion, are delicious. The company that makes them is Primal Spirit. Whole Foods and a couple grocery stores have them here, and they're also on Amazon.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:37 PM on August 21, 2014 [2 favorites]

Roasted chickpeas are delicious, though they might not be paleo-approved.

If you enjoy fake meats (veggie burgers/hot dogs/sausages/etc) in general, they should all be fine unrefrigerated for a day. (I've never had a problem, at least.) Cook them and eat them with as a finger food.
posted by needs more cowbell at 9:21 PM on August 21, 2014

A lot of supermarkets seem to have bags of boiled peeled eggs for sale. Ask an employee, because they move all over the place - some chains put them in the deli near lunchmeat, some in the dairy section, some with prepared foods - but a lot of places have them.
posted by aimedwander at 8:33 AM on August 22, 2014