5 Low-Calorie Snacks She Ate to Lose 42 Pounds

1. Crispy Chickpeas

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The first snack she ate? Crispy chickpeas. “100g chickpeas, smoked paprika, garlic, cumin — roast at 200°C for 30–40 mins,” she says. “Crunchy, salty, satisfying!”

= 164 kcal | 8g protein

2. Cottage Cheese Bowl

Next up, a cottage cheese bowl. “150g cottage cheese, 50g berries, 5g honey, flaxseeds,” she says. “Sweet & creamy — a go-to!”

= 230 kcal | 26g protein

3. Hard-Boiled Eggs

She is also a fan of snacking up on hard-boiled eggs. “2 eggs + salt & paprika,” she says. “Don’t knock it! Easy, classic, on-the-go.”

= 160 kcal | 12g protein

4. Protein Guac

Don’t sleep on protein-packed guacamole. “50g avo, 80g 0% Greek yogurt, 60g chickpeas, lemon, garlic, chili,” she says. “Dip, spread, devour!” she says.

= 290 kcal | 28g protein

5. Tuna Rice Cakes

Tuna rice cakes are also packed with protein. “2 rice cakes + 1 tin tuna + 1 tsp light mayo + cucumber,” she says. “Crispy, fresh & protein-packed.”

= 220 kcal | 24g protein

6. Protein Yogurt Bowl

Another delicious snack to make? Protein yogurt bowls. “170g Greek yogurt + cinnamon + vanilla drops + 5g almond butter,” she explains. “Tastes like dessert but it’s fuel!”

= 190 kcal | 20g protein

7. Edamame Snack

She also suggests edamame. “100g steamed edamame + sea salt & chili,” she says. “Quick, salty, and satisfying!

= 140 kcal | 13g protein

Why You Need Lots of Protein

Why should you amp up protein? According to clinical trials, consuming more protein than the recommended dietary allowance not only reduces body weight (BW), but also enhances body composition by decreasing fat mass while preserving fat-free mass (FFM) in both low-calorie and standard-calorie diets. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missthese 8 High-Protein Foods with Nearly Zero Calories That Melt Fat.

Cottage Cheese Berry Bowl

Looking for a protein-packed breakfast or snack option? This simple combination delivers both nutrition and flavor. "I make this for breakfast sometimes since it's so easy," Annie explains in her post. Start with half a cup of low-carb cottage cheese (14g protein, 3g carbs), add fresh sliced strawberries, then drizzle with reconstituted almond butter powder. Top with sliced almonds and chia seeds for extra crunch and omega-3s. This delicious bowl provides 23g of protein with only 7 net carbs, offering a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures.

Spicy-Sweet Crunchy Edamame

When cravings for something crunchy strike, these flavor-packed edamame beans deliver satisfaction with impressive nutritional stats. "Edamame is high in protein so it's a good ingredient if you're vegan or vegetarian and you struggle to get protein into your diet," Annie points out. With 10g of protein and just 2 net carbs per serving, these air-fried treats combine sugar-free maple syrup with spicy seasonings for a sweet-heat combo that's addictively good. Simply coat thawed edamame with olive oil, sugar-free syrup, salt, red pepper flakes, and cayenne before air frying until crispy.

Cheese Puffs That Surprise

Don't let the unusual ingredient combination fool you—these cheesy puffs deliver serious protein with minimal carbs. "I was really nervous to try these but I was so glad that I did because they turned out really good," Annie admits. Whip egg whites until stiff peaks form, then fold in frozen shredded cheddar cheese. Spoon the mixture onto a parchment-lined tray, sprinkle with nutritional yeast, and bake until golden. The entire batch provides an impressive 39g of protein with only 4 net carbs, and they taste remarkably similar to those famous Red Lobster biscuits!

Protein-Packed Pasta Bites

Transform low-carb, high-protein pasta into a crunchy snack through the magic of air frying. Annie uses pasta made from lupini beans that delivers 20g of protein and only 6 net carbs per serving. "These noodles are high in protein low in carb because they're made from lupini beans," she explains. After cooking the pasta according to package directions, air fry until crispy, then toss with your favorite seasonings. While Annie's cinnamon-sugar version wasn't quite what she hoped for, you could try savory seasonings like ranch or taco seasoning for a protein-packed crunch.

Strawberry Yogurt Dessert

Satisfy your sweet tooth with this simple two-ingredient treat that packs a protein punch. "Even though this didn't give me the texture that I was hoping for, it was still delicious," Annie shares. Mix sugar-free strawberry gel dessert with your favorite low-carb yogurt for a creamy, sweet dessert with 9g of protein and only 3 net carbs per serving. While Annie's version using a vegan gel dessert had some texture issues, you might have better results with traditional sugar-free gelatin. Either way, this makes for a refreshing high-protein dessert option.

Almond Butter Protein Mousse

When you're craving something rich and creamy, this mousse delivers indulgence along with impressive protein stats. "This turned out pretty good with 20 grams of protein and four net carbs," Annie notes. Combine almond butter powder with sugar-free sweetener and water until it reaches a pancake batter consistency. Stir in a scoop of zero-carb protein powder and fold in low-carb yogurt. For extra nutty flavor, drizzle with a bit of real almond butter before serving. Divided into three servings, each portion provides 20g of protein with only 4 net carbs.

Smart Shopping for Protein Success

Finding high-quality, low-carb ingredients doesn't have to break the bank or require multiple store visits. "Thrive Market makes it so simple to find products that will fit my high protein low carb lifestyle," Annie explains. She recommends shopping online for specialty items like almond butter powder, sugar-free sweeteners, and protein-rich foods. Look for membership-based grocery services that offer discounts on health-focused products, making it easier and more affordable to stock your pantry with the right ingredients for your protein-focused approach.

Meeting Your Daily Protein Goals

Setting specific protein targets can make a significant difference in your weight loss results. "I try to aim for at least 100 grams of protein a day but ideally I want to consume around 120 since I do work out four to five days a week doing some weight training," Annie shares. For active individuals, higher protein intake supports muscle maintenance while losing fat. These snacks can help bridge the gap between meals, making it easier to hit your daily protein goals without exceeding your carb limits.

Why Protein Matters for Weight Loss

Protein plays a crucial role in successful weight loss by increasing satiety, preserving muscle mass, and boosting metabolism. "What helped me shed some weight over the last year was focusing on eating higher protein while staying low carb," Annie emphasizes. Higher protein intake helps control hunger hormones, reduces cravings, and requires more energy to digest than carbs or fats. By incorporating these protein-rich snacks between meals, you'll stay fuller longer while supporting your body's fat-burning potential.

Balancing Macros for Success

Finding the right balance of protein, fats, and carbs is key to sustainable weight loss. Annie's approach focuses on maintaining adequate protein while keeping carbs low. "It's not always easy to reach my daily protein goal," she admits, which is why having these snack options ready is so important. By planning your snacks to complement your meals, you can maintain a calorie deficit while ensuring your body gets the nutrition it needs. This balanced approach prevents the metabolic slowdown that often happens with restrictive diets.

Turning Snacks into Meal Components

These high-protein options are versatile enough to work as both snacks and meal components. "These are things that I can eat in between meals or even as part of a meal as a way to get more protein," Annie explains. The cottage cheese berry bowl makes an excellent breakfast, while the cheese puffs can complement a soup or salad for lunch. By thinking of these recipes as building blocks, you can mix and match throughout the day to maintain steady energy levels while supporting your weight loss goals. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.