Eating for Endurance: 15 High Carb, High Protein Products to Fuel Your Workout

Pasta may just be one of the most popular ways to carbo-load. Well, did you know that even pulse-based pastas will do the trick? It’s true! Plus, since they’re made with pulses, they pack a protein punch too, no extra ingredients required. Tolerant Red Lentil Penne, for instance, is a single-ingredient, gluten-free pasta that delivers 21 grams of protein, 11 grams of fiber and 56 grams of carbs per serving. This pasta is also soy-free, egg-free, and non-GMO. Reviewers are reporting that this pasta is delicious, tastes very similar to regular pasta, and has an impressive protein content. You can get six eight-ounce boxes for a little under $26.

If you like to start off your mornings with something hearty and protein-rich, consider trying Rokit Fuel Instant Oatmeal Cereal. Each portable package has 10 grams of protein and 27 grams of carbs. While some oatmeal products need to be cooked to a certain temperature, Rokit Fuel is very versatile. The company states that this product can be enjoyed hot after just one minute in the microwave, cold with just some water or non-dairy milk added to it, or in dry form straight from the package. This gluten-free and non-GMO product is made from a mix of rolled oats, pure cane brown sugar, “nutri blend” (oat flour, amaranth, chia seeds, flax seeds, buckwheat flour, maca root, hemp seed, gotu kola, quinoa flour), pea protein, almonds, sour cherries, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds. Most of the reviewers on this product either loved or hated the flavors, but those who liked it all seemed to agree that this is a filling and hearty product that is nutritious. You can get a case of 16 for about $40.

Waffles are usually seen as an indulgence. We enjoy them on Sunday mornings with plenty of maple syrup and they’re offered at diners with a big scoop of ice cream and whipped cream. There are waffle products out there that are definitely more nutrition-packed than the traditional kind. Take Vans Power Grains Waffles, for instance. These waffles are made primarily from water, enriched flour, cracked red wheat, steel cut oats, millet, brown rice, and wheat protein isolate. Each serving (two waffles) has 10 grams of protein and 27 grams of carbs. This is pretty hefty on its own, but you could also pair it with fruit, slather on some peanut butter, or simply make two servings for 20 grams of protein and 50+ grams of carbs. You can get 12 boxes for a little under $50.

Soup is a dense, hearty option that is easy to make and will keep you full for hours. Amy’s Lentil Soup, for instance, is made from a mixture of lentils, celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, and spices and simply needs to be heated for a few minutes on a stovetop or in the microwave. Just one can of this soup has 16 grams of protein and 50 grams of carbs. It also has zero grams of trans fat, zero preservatives, and zero MSG. Reviewers are reporting that this soup is flavorful, contains no “yucky, processed stuff” and is great for any meal of the day, even breakfast! To try it out, you can get a pack of 12 14.75-ounce cans for a little over $25.

These Tofurky Turk’y Broccoli Cheddar Pockets are great for when you want a light meal that will still satisfy. Protein-rich Tofurky nuggets, broccoli florets, and vegan cheddar cheese are wrapped in a lightly herbed whole grain pocket. Each pocket has 11 grams of protein and 40 carbs. You may want to warm up both, though, one Amazon reviewer claims that one is simply not filling enough. That means 22 grams of protein and 80 grams of carbs in just these two pockets! Pretty impressive. This 12-box bundle pack breaks down to about $5.25 per package.

Having a product like Modern Table Meals: Southwest Lentil Rotini makes cooking dinner a breeze. The four-serving package comes with red lentil-based pasta, corn, black beans, zesty sauce, and seasoning. Each serving has 17 grams of protein and 51 grams of carbs. The process of cooking – boiling the pasta and vegetable mix, mixing in the sauce, and sprinkling on the season – takes about 15 minutes. Just be careful with the seasoning, some reviewers have said that if the whole packet is used it can be too spicy. You can get one 11.3-ounce package (four servings) for $8.50.

There are two types of energy bars on the market: ones that are consumed as an energy-boosting snack and ones that are made to replace a daily meal. Vega One All-in-One Meal Bar clearly falls in the latter category. Each bar contains one full serving of greens, hemp, and chia seeds, one billion probiotics, 12 grams worth of plant-based protein. Reviewers are saying that these gluten-free bars may be a bit pricey, but due to the high levels of omegas, fiber, antioxidants, and probiotics, they are worth it. You can get 12 of these meal-replacing bars for a little over $32.

Sweet Earth Big Sur Breakfast Burrito has all the components of a breakfast platter in a convenient, portable wrap-form. It contains zesty tofu scramble, roasted red peppers, and smoked seitan bits. Each wrap has 17 grams of protein, four grams of fiber, and 43 grams of carbs. While all of the reviewers rave about the taste of this burrito, many have pointed out that they sell for a much lower price at places like Walmart and Target. However, if you don’t live near one of these stores and you’d still like to try them out, the price may be worth it. You can get a pack of 12 burritos for about $85 (that’s about $7 per burrito).

If you find yourself constantly packing 10 different snacks to get you through the day, consider checking out Go Picnic Sunbutter and Crackers Pack. This gluten-free ready-to-eat meal contains five snacks: a cup of sunflower butter, multigrain crackers, unsweetened applesauce, fruit leather, and two chocolate chip cookies. None of the products contain high fructose corn syrup, GMOs, artificial colors or flavors, or MSG. In total, the meal provides nine grams of protein and 57 grams of carbs. Reviewers are saying that although this meal kit is a bit high in sodium, it is tasty, very convenient, and contains wholesome snacks. To try it out yourself, you can get a pack of six boxes for a little over $20.

If you’re looking for a vegetable-heavy dinner entrée, Amy’s Brown Rice and Veggies Bowl is a pretty solid choice. The bowl, which contains nine grams of protein and 38 grams of carbs, has a base of brown rice, is topped with a medley of vegetables including broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, black-eyed peas, and onions, and then is drizzled with a bit of tamari, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. It simply needs to be popped in the microwave for a few minutes, and then it’s ready to eat. You can get a 12-pack of these for a little over $75.

Nothing says easy breakfast like starting one the night before! Products like Kashi Overnight Muesli make the mornings super easy. The muesli contains a mix of whole oats, whole rye, whole barley, chia seeds, dried cane syrup, almond meal, cacao nibs, coconut flour, flax seeds, cocoa, and salt. You simply have to add your favorite non-dairy milk to the mix, pop the container in the fridge, let it sit overnight, and voila – a hearty breakfast awaits you in the morning. Each serving has eight grams of protein, nine grams of fiber, and 36 grams of carbs. Reviewers are reporting that this product is tasty, satisfying, and the perfect on-the-go meal. Some reviewers feel that the product is not sweet enough, but as one reviewer points out, you can always add fresh fruit or your favorite type of sweetener. To try it out yourself, you can get one two-ounce cup for a little over $2.50.

Clif Bars make an assortment of protein and meal bars. This particular posting is for their Chocolate Chip protein bar that is made primarily from organic brown rice syrup, soy rice crisps, organic rolled oats, and vegan chocolate chips. Each bar also contains 23 vitamins and minerals, 10 grams of protein, and 44 grams of carbs. Reviewers are saying that these bars are very tasty and filling, although admittedly high in sugar. Reviewers also pointed out that you may be able to find these bars cheaper at places like Target or Walmart, however, if you don’t live near one of these establishments, it may be worth the money. You can get one six-count package for about $6.

Banza Chickpea Penne aims to re-transform the pasta experience into something that is not only tasty and indulgent but nutritious! Their penne is made with chickpeas and pea protein and can be cooked just like regular penne. Each 3.5-ounce serving has 25 grams of protein and 56 grams of carbs. Reviewers describe this pasta as slightly nutty-tasting, filling, and a great protein-packed alternative. However, it is worth noting that some people have said that this pasta doesn’t taste exactly like white pasta but more like whole wheat. If you want to try it out yourself, you can get six boxes for a little under $18.

Sometimes you want a filling meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s where products like Gardein Chick’n Sliders come in handy. The patties of these small sandwiches are made primarily from soy protein, vital wheat gluten, ancient grain flour while the breading is made primarily from rice and wheat flour. Each of these small sliders contains 11 grams of protein and 27 grams of carb.  To enjoy these, simply pop them in the microwave for three minutes. Some reviewers have gone simple with the fixings, sticking mostly to ketchup but pointing out that these definitely leave room for toppings if that’s what you desire. Some even report forgetting that these are not actually chicken! This six-box bundle includes 24 sliders and is a little over $40.

Quinoa bowls are delicious and a good way to get protein and carbs simultaneously, but if you’re looking for a new way to consume this ancient grain, you should check out I Heart Keenwah Quinoa Puffs. Each three-ounce bag contains 15 grams of protein and 46 grams of carbs. These crispy snack “puffs” are primarily made from quinoa flour, brown rice flour, white rice flour, and pea protein. They are also seasoned with sea salt, thyme, rosemary, basil, and oregano (hence the product name). Reviewers describe this product as “incredibly flavorful” and “the perfect snack to keep in your bag.”  You can get 12 3-ounce bags for about $40 – that comes out to roughly $3 a bag.

Lead image source: Buckwheat and Quinoa Flour Waffles