6 High-Protein Snacks to Buy at Wegmans

Do you find yourself snacking on chips, cookies or even a piece of fruit and realizing (with frustration) that you’re hungry again within an hour? If so, there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with you or your hunger cues—you may just be missing a source of protein! Protein helps keep you satisfied for longer than carbs alone, so it’s worth incorporating into your snacks for steady energy levels.

Wegmans, my go-to supermarket (I live in Rochester, NY, aka the home of Wegmans), has lots of options to choose from if you’re trying to up your protein intake and select snacks that’ll actually hold you over until your next meal. So say goodbye to a mid-afternoon slump and hello to sustained energy with these six high-protein snacks to buy at Wegmans.

1. Wegmans Original Beef Jerky

With 9 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving, Wegmans beef jerky is an excellent high-protein snack. It’s a source of lean protein with no saturated fat. That’s important because eating too much saturated fat can raise LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind). Plus, this snack travels well. So whether you need an at-home pick-me-up or you’re hitting the road, beef jerky can do the trick.

2. Kind Protein Bars

Kind bars are some of my favorite bars on the market because they generally rely on nuts as their main ingredient. For a more filling, high-protein option, I love Kind Protein Bars. In addition to high-protein peanuts, they have soy protein isolate for a total of 12 g of plant protein per bar. 

Compared to other bars, they’re pretty low in added sugar, with 5 g per bar. Plus, you’ll get 21% of the Daily Value (DV) of fiber in this convenient snack, supporting gut health, blood sugar management and healthy cholesterol.

3. Icelandic Provisions Extra Creamy Skyr Yogurt

Yogurt is one of my favorite ways to eat more protein with minimal effort. At Wegmans, I always get Icelandic Provisions Extra Creamy Skyr Yogurt, with 11 g of protein per serving. Flavored yogurt can be high in added sugars, but this one has only 5 g per serving. Of the different flavor options, passion fruit and mango is my personal favorite. 

This yogurt is high in saturated fat—a nutrient the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting—but emerging research shows that this may not be something to worry about, particularly when saturated fat comes from dairy sources. Eating a moderate amount of full-fat yogurt is linked with lower rates of death from any cause, particularly for women. Rather than harming heart health, studies show that eating full-fat yogurt may help protect against cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, since it’s made with whole milk, it’s extra creamy. Yum!

4. Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame

If you love salty, crunchy snacks, pick up a bag of Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame next time you’re at Wegmans. Believe it or not, this snack has an impressive 13 g of protein per ⅓-cup serving! Plus, edamame is a complete plant protein, so it has all the essential amino acids that our bodies can’t make on their own.  There’s only 0.5 g of saturated fat, which is important if you’re trying to prevent or manage high cholesterol. What’s more, each serving has more than 30% of the DV of fiber.

All in all, it’s an easy, convenient snack that’s full of protein and fiber with minimal saturated fat and sodium. You can also add it to meals like grain bowls, salads and stir-fries for extra crunch and nutrients.

5. Wegmans Albacore White Tuna in Water Pouch

A pouch of tuna is an affordable, packable, shelf-stable snack worth stocking up on. Unlike a can, you don’t have to drain a pouch of tuna before enjoying it, making it perfect for a quick bite. Each pouch of Wegmans Albacore White Tuna in Water has 20 g of protein. Plus, it has 10% of the DV for vitamin D, a nutrient many Americans are deficient in. I love pairing this with crackers to take on hikes or to enjoy as an afternoon snack that’ll keep me satisfied until dinnertime. 

6. Lifeway Nonfat Kefir

Whenever I’m at Wegmans, I pick up a bottle of Lifeway Kefir. Because it’s drinkable, it’s more convenient to consume than regular yogurt. For me, it’s a go-to post-workout snack or smoothie add-in. Not only does it provide 11 g of protein per cup, but it also has 30% of the DV for calcium and 25% of the DV for vitamin D. Plus, it contains probiotics to support gut health.

What to Look For in a High-Protein Snack

Protein isn’t the only thing to look for in a snack. It’s also worth being mindful of the saturated fat, fiber and added sugar content to ensure that your snack has a good balance of nutrients to support overall health.

• Limited saturated fat. Animal proteins like cheese or meat can be high in saturated fat, which can raise LDL cholesterol if consumed in excess. So it’s best to opt for high-protein snacks that have 10% or less of the DV for saturated fat per serving. Yogurt may be an exception to this, since research suggests that full-fat yogurt may not harm cardiovascular health.
• Adequate fiber. Fiber supports various aspects of health—including gut health, heart health and metabolic health—and the vast majority of Americans don’t eat enough of it. Ensuring that your snacks include a source of fiber can help you meet your daily fiber needs. For a high-protein snack, that could mean picking something like roasted edamame that has fiber and protein, or pairing your high-protein snack with a source of fiber like a fruit or veggie.
• Limited added sugars. Sweet snacks are a common source of added sugars in American diets. Eating too many added sugars can lead to health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, so it’s worth being mindful of your total added sugar intake. So instead of buying added-sugar-packed snacks, opt for sweetness from natural sources like fruit. 

Health Benefits of Protein

High-protein snacks don’t just fill you up—they also support muscle health, help balance blood sugars and provide key vitamins and minerals like iron and vitamin D. Protein doesn’t get absorbed as quickly as carbohydrates, so it tends to keep you fuller for longer. It also prevents pesky blood sugar spikes that can end in an unpleasant energy crash. 

Keep in mind that protein is one of three macronutrients our bodies need on a daily basis, the other two being carbohydrates and fats. Eating a balance of all three throughout the day is key for overall health and satisfaction. If you need help creating balanced meals and snacks, consider speaking with a registered dietitian.

Our Expert Take

Whether you’re shopping at Wegmans or any other store, selecting snacks with at least 7 g of protein can help stave off an afternoon slump and keep you satisfied for longer. It’s also worth checking that your snack has plenty of fiber, and minimal added sugars and saturated fat. You can always add fiber by pairing a protein-rich component (like beef jerky or tuna) with a fiber-rich component (like a fruit or veggie). This helps keep you full and promotes overall health and well-being.