It’s time to take the pressure off. Eating a plant-based diet can absolutely offer you all of the protein you need, so stop worrying about it. Whether you’re snacking post-workout, grabbing a quick bite before heading out the door, or simply in need of an afternoon nourishing pick-me-up, choosing a protein heavy hitter to snack on can help up feel fuller, longer. Take the pressure off with these five tasty, convenient, and portable vegan protein snacks that will keep you feeling satiated and energized all day long.

1. Smoothies

Smoothies are my go-to for on the go nutrient-dense snacks; they travel well and there’s no end to the flavor combinations. You don’t have to sacrifice your clean diet in the name of convenience or sacrifice time in the name of your clean diet. I like to prep by smoothies ahead of time, freeze, and then grab and go on my way out the door. By the time I’ve arrived at my destination my smoothie has thawed and is ready to enjoy.

How do you get the most protein from your smoothie? Aside from classic add-ins like plant-based protein powders and nut butter, try adding more greens. Add two cups of spinach to your smoothie and add 10 grams of protein to your day. Love hemp seeds? Me too. Hemp, a complete plant-based protein source, has 11-15 grams of protein in 1/4 cup. Try hemp seeds in this mango hemp smoothie.  Or, try these 15 High-Protein Smoothie Recipes.

2. Hummus

I love chickpeas because they come with more than just 15g of protein per cup (for cooked chickpeas). They’re also are a source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Hummus can be whipped up in less than 10 minutes and can be used in a multitude of ways. I like to serve hummus with sliced-up vegetables such as peppers, carrots, cucumbers, and celery.

For the most portable snack you’ve had all week, I recommend dropping some hummus into a mason jar then sticking assorted chopped vegetables into the hummus, closing the lid and hitting the road. When hunger strikes all you have to do it pull out a pre-dipped vegetable stick and enjoy. If you want to add hummus to a new dish check out these easy, on-the-go hummus collard wraps.

3. Homemade Protein Bars

Protein bars mean you never have to go without good nutrition. You can make a batch in less than 15 minutes, freeze, and then grab a few to enjoy as a snack. My favorite add-ins for protein bars are sprouted pumpkin seeds with 10 grams of protein and chia seeds with 7 grams of protein per 1/4 cup, respectively. Chia seeds are also a good source of antioxidant vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and fiber. Try them in these Raw Hemp Chia Seed Bars.

4. Sandwiches

A popular lunchbox food, sandwiches are portable, filling and easy. While not all sandwiches are created equal you can make high protein nutrient-dense sandwiches as easy as one, two, three.

One – pick your bread. I love sprouted grain whole bread for protein and fiber.
Two – pick your protein. There’s nothing wrong with good old fashioned PB & J; for that, I recommend sugar-free natural peanut butter for 8 grams of protein in only 2 tbsp.
Three – pick your second topping. A sandwich isn’t complete without a second topping.

I recommend homemade jam or marmalade or taking your PB & J to the next level with these peanut buttery sandwich cookies.

5. Trail Mix

Nuts and dried fruit, with their blend of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, are the snack trifecta, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the same combinations. Try 10 almonds or 20 pistachios combined with 1/8 cup dried fruit such as golden berries and goji berries, sprinkle on hemp or pumpkin seeds, and you’ll have a satisfying snack with approximately 5 grams of protein. Tired of almonds? Try walnuts or Brazil nuts instead. Looks for more options? Here are 15 mix and match ingredients to get you started on your next healthy trail mix.

Choose your own adventure and keep your snacks interesting by mixing-and-matching different combinations every week. Trust me when I say the options are endless, from varying nuts and dried fruit to trying new smoothie combinations there really is no end to the variations of tasty, high-protein, convenient snacks.

What’s your favorite on-the-go vegan protein-packed snack? I’d love to hear about it.

Hungry for more? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Snacks!

Lead Image Source: Peanut Buttery Sandwich Cookies