High protein vegetarian snacks please, no nuts.

February 5, 2015 8:38 PM

I'd like to stock up on some protein heavy snacks to keep at my desk for the days I'm less organized. The big difficulty is that I'm allergic to tree nuts and can't eat meat. Shelf stable would be ideal, but as long as I'm not having to do prep every day, refrigerated would probably be okay.
posted by Nimmie Amee to Food & Drink (30 answers total)

Can you do seeds? Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, soy "nuts" (actually roasted soybeans)?
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:42 PM on February 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

Also, roasted chickpeas. They're especially delicious IMO.
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:42 PM on February 5, 2015 [4 favorites]

check out Engine 2 for tips or PCRM.ORG
posted by cheetahchick at 8:47 PM on February 5, 2015

Beans and sprouts and rice too :)
posted by cheetahchick at 8:48 PM on February 5, 2015

String cheese or assorted cheese cubes
posted by alligatorman at 8:50 PM on February 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

Vegan jerky.
posted by crush-onastick at 8:52 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

hard boiled eggs
posted by brookeb at 8:58 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Greek yogurt. Whey protein in milk, or in a pinch in water.
posted by vegartanipla at 9:02 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Dried green peas have a decent amount of protein.

There's also the option of protein shake powder + water. Even if you're not the sort that needs it as a pre/post workout nutritional supplement, protein shakes are still a reasonably satisfying snack. Just be careful about not accidentally overloading on calories if you take this route. This is easier if you stick with brands that aren't full of cheap, lower-protein whey concentrates (tons of lactose included), and instead use whey isolate or hydrolysates as their protein source (which can include anywhere from 15-20% more protein, depending on what you're buying).
posted by BrandonW at 9:07 PM on February 5, 2015

If you don't mind microwaving something, Tasty Bite has lentils and other Indian dishes in shelf-stable, microwaveable bags. (I got a case of 'em at Costco.)
posted by wintersweet at 9:17 PM on February 5, 2015

I haven't tried it, but I am intrigued by this recipe for crispy vegan smoked mushroom "bacon." It takes prep, but the results can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days.
posted by topophilia at 9:18 PM on February 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

Fancy cheese. Or even string cheese. Yogurt.
posted by J. Wilson at 9:26 PM on February 5, 2015

Fage yogurt has the highest protein content that I've seen -- 18g in the single serving whole milk kind.

A bottle of any of the Naked smoothies with protein -- double berry, mango, protein zone, banana chocolate and probably that icky protein and greens -- has around 30g.
posted by Madamina at 9:27 PM on February 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

Those little single serving packets of peanut butter. I keep the almond butter ones in my work toolbag. Make sure you read the ingredients--this brand contains palm oil. I've seen nut butters with cashews as a semi-hidden ingredient, as well. Peanuts are cheap enough that this probably won't be a problem, but worth checking.
posted by mollymayhem at 10:00 PM on February 5, 2015

Costco has been selling these bags of cheese with 70 calorie single-servings of fresh mozzarella (three balls). If you are a member they are perfect for this and last a couple months in the fridge.
posted by charmedimsure at 10:12 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Laughing Cow cheese is shelf stable!
posted by Westringia F. at 10:38 PM on February 5, 2015 [1 favorite]

Aside from nuts I generally had string cheese, Fage, wasabi peas, Luna Bars (there are a few flavors that have nuts but most don't), baked tofu (like the wildwood), and 'jerky' (primal strips or the stonewall's) on snack rotation.
posted by grapesaresour at 11:02 PM on February 5, 2015

You say "no tree nuts". How are you on peanuts? (which technically are beans, not nuts.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 11:18 PM on February 5, 2015

If you can do sunflower seeds or soybeans, there are good peanut-butter-type spreads made from those--Sunbutter and I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter are options. Sunbutter is, in my opinion, better tasting, and also can be purchased in 1-oz sachets.

Cottage cheese keeps for an age in the fridge. Top it with sunflower seeds and cheddar cheese for more flavor and protein.

Single serve packets of hummus plus a relatively high-protein cracker might work.

If you're willing to do prepwork, I will admit that this life-changing loaf of bread, as the author puts it, is, in fact, life changing. I'm neither vegan nor gluten free, and that bread is amazing. Toasted and topped with a little salty cheese or something, it's absolutely transcendent. I know that the recipe calls for tree nuts, but they're easily left out out. It's full of protein, and very filling, and seriously so good.
posted by MeghanC at 11:23 PM on February 5, 2015 [14 favorites]

I make a nut free muesli/granola type bar, that is no bake (you make a sort of toffee like thing and mix it with toasted or untoasted seeds and other things) and once made, keeps very easily, and is crazily satisfying to gnaw on. I can dig up the recipe if it seems like it would be useful to you.
posted by mythical anthropomorphic amphibian at 11:52 PM on February 5, 2015

I love Taifun smoked tofu. I don't know if that's available where you live, but there are probably other good brands. Smoked tofu differs a lot per brand, so if you had it and did not like it, maybe try another brand. I eat this plain, uncooked, and it's great (this is the only brand that I like to eat uncooked). It's also a nice way to make other food (like salads) higher in protein/calories.
posted by blub at 1:36 AM on February 6, 2015

Pickled quail eggs? Have to be kept in a jar in the fridge, but it's all the goodness of hardboiled eggs without having to commit to a whole egg.
posted by fiercecupcake at 6:00 AM on February 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

TVP tacos are possible if your office has a kettle... just get a pack of tvp and a pack taco spice, as well as some dehydrated onion flakes and you can mix up a mug's worth of tvp. Flour tortillas have a decent amount of protein in them too or there are probably a lot of low-carb type wraps that have more protein than normal tortillas. Small tortillas make a nice snack or two could make lunch, depending on much you like to eat.
posted by glip at 6:34 AM on February 6, 2015

Not super high in protein, but these seem pretty snacky and tasty. Mushrooms.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:21 AM on February 6, 2015

Cottage cheese. Either add a bit of honey, or a bit of spices, such as berbere.

Greek yogurt. Add some honey, cinnamon.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 7:22 AM on February 6, 2015

Oatmeal or yogurt with lots of PB2 mixed in if peanuts are, in fact, ok. You can also top the oatmeal with shelf stable mix-ins like:

pepitas
chia seeds
ground flax seed
dried fruit
hemp seeds
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:22 AM on February 6, 2015

Oh, and apples and peanut butter. Bring a bag of apples to work at the beginning of the week, keep the peanut butter in your desk or kitchen cabinet.

Canned refried black beans (vegetarian are easy to find even in latino markets, but some brands do contain lard so read the label) and corn chips for dipping.
posted by Juliet Banana at 9:25 AM on February 6, 2015 [1 favorite]

Facing the same issue, I have found only greek yogurt, eggs and protein powders/bars etc. really give a the high protein boost I seek while remaining reasonably healthy and tasty to me, outside of nuts that is. Yogurt is especially convenient as a natural food as it does not need refrigeration during the day until it is consumed. I also like Kefir; even unsweetened it tastes pretty decent and packs a high protein content. Trader Joe's sells sells Power Crunch bars with 13 gms of protein and low sugar and no sugar alcohols, but also 200 cal. and 12 gms of fat. Kellogg's Special K protein bars have a little more carb and sugar and almost as much protein, but with less fat. I always keep a supply of protein bars handy.
posted by caddis at 12:51 PM on February 6, 2015

Check out Chinatown/Asian groceries - ask/look for gluten and soy-based snacks. Lots of variety in different flavours and textures. Shelf stable.
posted by porpoise at 2:25 PM on February 6, 2015

I have these and these in my desk drawer.
Peanut butter!
Sunbutter!
Hummus!
Spicy Black Bean Dip!
Edamame Kale Dip!
Mac & Cheese!
posted by sweetmarie at 4:52 PM on February 6, 2015 [1 favorite]