Protein Artist

Tag: snack

  • Steelcut Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories each

    Steelcut Oats Chocolate Chip Cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories each

    IMG_3583You really want to grab a cookie and run to do your errands. Well, then why not? This one has protein and all the flavor you need, plus the chocolate you might crave. The oats offer a gluten-free alternative to flour and still add protein.  With the bananas, you don’t need to use eggs, making this a vegan staple. Finally, in this recipe, I used cashew butter which has the mildest nut taste, for those who are not wild about peanut butter but still want to calories and protein. Consider portion control and try to nibble only on one cookie per day, as they are very filling.  Are you bold and daring, and have added some ingredients? Cocounts? Dried fruits? Comment below and share your recipe! The spices are important, or it will taste like a ball of porridge.

    Ingredients

    • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
    • 1 ½ cups steelcut cup oats
    • ⅓ cup cashew butter, about 5 ½ tablespoons or 4 heaping tablespoons
    • ½ cup unsweetened chocolate chips, miniature chips preferred
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon allspice

    Directions:

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Since I used ripe bananas that were frozen, I ran them under hot water and peeled them. Then, I added the bananas to the food processor, and mixed it with the nut butter.  I used this mashed mixture to fold in the red of the ingredients.  If using ripe bananas, simply peel and mash well and mix all ingredients in a bowl by hand.
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    Drop a heaping tablespoon of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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    Bake on 350 for 15 minutes or until bottoms are golden.   Note– the shape will not change, so make sure you form them into appetizing-looking blobs.

    Yields: 20 cookies, 3 grams protein, 108 calories per cookie

  • Crunchy Kettle Corn Chickpeas, 4.5 grams protein, 120 calories per ounce

    Crunchy Kettle Corn Chickpeas, 4.5 grams protein, 120 calories per ounce

    IMG_2768This is a sugar-free and gluten-free high-protein snack that is perfect for keeping around for an emergency crunch while working, or at the movies.  Besides being an excellent vegan and gluten-free source of protein and fiber, chickpeas also contain exceptional levels of iron, vitamin B-6 and magnesium. This versatile snack will surprise you in flavor and nutrients. Compare to popcorn, at 106 calories and 3 grams protein per ounce, but with little nutritional value.  Refrigerate leftovers.

    Ingredients:

    Directions:

    Preheat oven to 500. Mix all ingredients together slowly, making sure the chickpeas do not crush. Spread mixture in a flat oven pan.  Sprinkle with salt,  favorite spices, and Kettle Corn Seasoning. Bake for 20 minutes, shuffle and break apart mixture. Bake for an additional 20 minutes, tossing frequently. Remove from oven when edges turn brown. Enjoy room temperature or warm.

    Kettle Corn Seasoning Nutrition Facts (varies by brand)
    kettle-corn-seasoning

    Yields: 5 ounces of snack, 5.4 grams protein, 144 calories per ounce

  • Harvest Snaps Pea or Lentil Chips Snacks, 5 grams protein per ounce

    Harvest Snaps Pea or Lentil Chips Snacks, 5 grams protein per ounce

    These chips are absolutely perfect!  You get 5 grams of protein from every ounce.  Buy two flavors and mix.  Prepare mixed flavor packs in zip-lock bags for grab-n-go snacks or work/school/office lunch bags.

    Click here for purchase and nutritional information.

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  • Apple Cinnamon Fruit Cups

    Apple Cinnamon Fruit Cups

    Pair with cottage cheese for a lean pre-op breakfast.

    apple cinnamon fruit cup
    Apple Cinnamon Fruit Cup

    Directions:

    Buy six large Cortland apples. Peel and core.  Chop in food processor with one teaspoon lemon juice, and one tablespoon cinnamon.  Store in 1/2 cup containers and freeze.  For breakfast, microwave one container for 1 1/2 minutes with the lid slightly open.  The apples will cook in its own juice, and you will have warm cinnamon apples for breakfast, all for just pennies.

    After your surgery, you can freeze the apple mixture in ice cube trays (1 cube=1 ounce) and add them to your protein shake for a revolutionary taste.

  • Cheese Crisps Protein Snack, 7 grams protein per ounce

    Cheese Crisps Protein Snack, 7 grams protein per ounce

    cheese crisps snack bagIn the pureed stages, these cheese crisps protein snacks can be chewed once for instant pureed texture.  Chew with discretion, and know yourself! 6 crisps -or 1 ounce- is 7 grams of protein. 

    “The key for me was watching the bubble turn brown first.”  ~ Stace Russell-Samuels, Florida

    Directions:

    • Place a sheet of parchment paper on a large oven pan.
    • cheese crisps - before picTear/cut cheese into postage-stamp size pieces and space them at least an inch apart on the parchment paper.
    • Add your favorite spices (black pepper, chopped onions, olives) and bake on 450 for less than five minutes.
    • Check every minute to see when it puffs up. The moment it does, it will turn brown in the next minute.
    • Grab it quickly and place it in the fridge to cool and preserve the ‘bubble’.  (Do not place pan in the fridge, the heat might melt the plastic shelves. Rather, slip the parchment paper onto the fridge shelf). 
    • When it cools after a few minutes, it will be crispy.
    • Store in the fridge in airtight container or in the freezer in ziploc bags for a quick snack. It will defrost in less than an hour for traveling protein.