Cottage cheese also makes a great base for homemade dips, and you can even add it to your pancake batter to spruce up your stack — and increase your healthy protein intake at breakfast.

Considered to be one of the most nutrient-packed foods, oats can easily fill you up with protein, soluble fiber, and even healthy fat. Perhaps best of all, you can make a big batch ahead of time and top them with your favorite in-season fruit, nuts, and more.

Do: Look for oat groats, rolled oats, or steel-cut oats, which contain more nutrients than quick-cooking oats. If cooking a large batch feels overwhelming, consider overnight oats, which can be quickly prepared in a container before bedtime for a grab-and-go breakfast in the morning.

Oats can contain cross-contamination from wheat, rye, or barley. In addition to antioxidants, this magical food is rich in iron, antioxidants, and folate.

Beans like lentils, black beans, and navy beans make a great addition to soups, skillets, salads, and even blended in smoothies! Do: Try dried beans, which are often more affordable than canned. Soak according to the packaging. If you struggle digesting beans, soak them until they begin to sprout.

Avoid: Consuming the water that comes with canned beans if you're watching sodium intake. Speaking of beans, peanut butter is another great way to reach your daily dose of protein, healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins.

Peanut butter especially makes an affordable, convenient, and pantry-friendly food. Peanut butter is rich in vitamins and minerals, satiating, heart-healthy, and a low-carb option for regulating blood sugar. Do: Enjoy on top of apple or banana slices, oatmeal, celery, and even carrot sticks.

A form of fermented milk, plain yogurt contains way more nutritional benefits than calcium, including B vitamins and essential minerals. High in protein, plain yogurt also contains probiotics, which promote great gut health.

Do: Add to smoothies, top with in-season fruit and healthy seeds like chia. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup if it's too tart for your taste.

Avoid: Flavored varieties with the exception of vanilla and yogurt with fruit on the bottom, which contain fewer nutrients and a surprising amount of added sugar. Orange veggies and fruits make great plate-fillers because of their rich beta-carotene vitamin A nutrients.

Carrots are a budget-friendly orange food that promote eye health, lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol, fight free radicals that lead to disease, and boost your immune system.

Happy crunching! These brands contain at least 12g of protein per serving and are free from artificial sweeteners. Low-sodium turkey jerky. Dried chickpeas or edamame.

Have you tried these plant-based protein sources yet? To-go cereal cup. Serve with milk or a dairy alternative for a dose of calcium and vitamin D, or eat dry for a convenient snack you can take anywhere.

Peanut butter crackers. This is another great combo that provides carbohydrates for energy and healthy fats to keep you full. Greek or non-dairy yogurt cup. Yogurt is an excellent option after exercise, before bed, or anytime during the day to get in a slow-digesting source of protein.

Low-fat white or chocolate milk. Both great options post-workout or as a way to boost calcium, vitamin D, and potassium during the day. Hardboiled eggs. Make these ahead for a quick protein source any time of day.

This chickpea salad is a vegetarian version of a classic chicken salad--and can be eaten in the exact same way. Let's be clear, though: it doesn't taste like chicken, but it is a delicious and fiber-packed vegetarian alternative!

Plus, it's easily transportable, perfect for picnics and will surely step up your sad desk lunch. Curry doesn't have to take hours to prepare.

With the help of our sheet-pan meal-prep chicken see associated recipe and some cooked whole grains, you can make these meal-prep bowls in just a few minutes! Keep them in the fridge for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight or for healthy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. Avocado makes an exceptionally creamy and healthful dressing for this chicken salad.

A bit of ranch dressing with pickled jalapeño adds a tangy spin to the lunchtime classic. Serve it on a slice of whole-wheat toast for an open-face sandwich or in a lettuce cup for a low-carb lunch. This wrap is stuffed with chicken tenders and couscous with a hit of lemon and a healthy dose of fresh herbs.

Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. Serve with: Mixed green salad and a glass of crisp white wine. Take canned tuna to new heights by adding cannellini beans, red onion and dill, tossing it in a lemon-pepper-Dijon dressing and serving it over a spinach salad with canned beets.

Make your own cup of instant soup at home with this vegetarian ramen recipe. Pack several jars at once to take to work for easy lunches throughout the week.

Quinoa and chickpeas pack this vegetarian grain bowl with plenty of plant-based protein. This copycat version of store-bought frozen burritos is perfect for meal prepping. Make a big batch to store in the freezer for healthy packable lunches or a quick campsite meal.

This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner. This single-serving recipe for Cobb salad swaps chicken in for bacon, which makes it a great source of protein for lunch.

If you prefer another salad dressing, feel free to use that instead of our honey-mustard vinaigrette. The ingredients in this vegan grain bowl recipe can be prepped ahead for an easy lunch to pack for work.

The tangy citrus dressing is a refreshing flavor with the sweet caramel of the roasted sheet-pan veggies. Enjoy this refreshing bento box idea over your lunch break that combines cucumber salad, hummus, pita and more for a satisfying work lunch.

A Mexican-style torta is just like a burrito, except the "wrapper" is a hollowed-out roll instead of a tortilla. Here it's filled with mashed spiced black beans and a quick guacamole. Take this vegetarian version to another level and add calcium by melting Monterey Jack cheese onto the bean side of the sandwich.

Serve with: Grilled corn on the cob or Spanish rice. In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables. Go light and fresh when you're craving pizza: these easy lettuce wraps have all the taste with fewer carbs and calories.

This sweet twist on a classic tuna-salad sandwich is a healthy high-protein lunch that even your kids will love. Skip the hassle of making sushi rolls at home and just go for this grain bowl. Start with a base of brown rice and add veggies, dressing and creamy avocado for a delicious and easy meal.

This cold noodle salad with peanut butter, snow pea pods, chicken, and bell pepper is easy to make ahead and pack for lunch. Looking for a clean, packable lunch for work?

This healthy homemade chicken salad served inside an avocado instead of with bread is just the ticket. Plus, this recipe makes enough for ready-made lunches for the week! Who says bento boxes are just for kids? This healthy bento-style lunch--loaded with clean, satisfying foods--is perfect to pack for work.

Dried chickpeas or edamame. Have you tried these plant-based protein sources yet? To-go cereal cup. Serve with milk or a dairy alternative for a dose of calcium and vitamin D, or eat dry for a convenient snack you can take anywhere.

Peanut butter crackers. This is another great combo that provides carbohydrates for energy and healthy fats to keep you full. Greek or non-dairy yogurt cup. Yogurt is an excellent option after exercise, before bed, or anytime during the day to get in a slow-digesting source of protein.

Low-fat white or chocolate milk. Both great options post-workout or as a way to boost calcium, vitamin D, and potassium during the day. Hardboiled eggs. Make these ahead for a quick protein source any time of day. Turkey sandwich with mustard, lettuce, and tomato. This great option for a larger snack takes less than 5 minutes to prepare yourself, or you can look for pre-made options at on- or off-campus vendors.

Chips made from black beans, chickpeas or veggies are another great way to up the health factor on this classic snack. Just keep an eye on the sodium content! A casual, snacking tea party that is. Slice up half a banana and spread a teaspoon of peanut butter on half the slices. Top them with the other banana halves and enjoy your little banana sandwiches.

This is a great fun snack for the whole family — kids will love assembling them and eating them! Just know that there might be kitchen cleanup involved.

Apples and Peanut Butter—Apples and peanut butter have earned their place as a classic snack for a reason. A small apple, sliced and topped with a few teaspoons of peanut butter, is a sweet and salty snack, with a nice combination of fiber, fat, and protein to help you feel full.

If you want to add even more crunch, try dipping it in pumpkin seeds. Ants on a Log—Your favorite snack that your mom used to make after school is a great choice at any age! Take a few celery sticks, fill them with a tablespoon of cream cheese or nut butter, and dot the top with a couple of raisins.

What makes this a healthy snack? Enjoy this tasty, tropical snack, and top with oats for an optional fiber boost. Caprese Sticks—These adorable caprese sticks do double duty as either an easy grab-and-go snack or a beloved party appetizer!

To make them, put one cherry tomato, one small basil leaf, and one small ball of mozzarella cheese on a toothpick. Chocolate-Banana Grahams—How delicious does this sound? Smear one graham cracker with a teaspoon of Nutella, or just use a square of dark chocolate, and top with a few slices of banana.

Marshmallows optional. In-Shell Pistachios—Slow down your snacking by making yourself work for it! A handful is about calories and four grams of protein. Sunflower seeds in the shell are a similar healthy option — when you slow down while eating, it helps your body tune in to your hunger and fullness cues.

Nonfat Chocolate Milk—Reward your body and your taste buds after a hard workout with eight ounces of nonfat chocolate milk. It contains eight grams of protein plus naturally occurring sugar to help your muscles recover more quickly.

Fruit—Fruit, AKA the original hand-held easy snack, is portable, delicious, healthy and packed full of nutrients that help fuel your body! Stock up on fruit like bananas or apples so you can grab one on your way out the door and stash it in your bag or purse.

Keep them in a bowl on the kitchen counter to encourage your family to eat healthy on the go. Homemade Trail Mix—Trail mix is a snack that deserves all of the attention it gets. Unfortunately, certain varieties can contain lots of sneaky added sugar and chocolate, without delivering on the nutrients, healthy fats, and grams of protein that trail mix is known for.

When you make your own, you can adjust it to your nutrition needs and diet, and add all your favorite healthy mix-ins while keeping an eye on the sugar content. Some of our favorites include nuts, seeds, oats, dried fruit, shredded coconut, dark chocolate nibs and more.

Make a big batch, grab a handful on your way out the door, and it will last you for weeks! Roasted Chickpeas—Chickpeas are full of protein and fiber. Making your own no-bake bars may seem intimidating, but you need only a few ingredients and 15 minutes of prep to whip up a batch of better-than-store-bought bars.

Trust us; this is an on-the-go snack worth having on hand when your stomach starts rumbling. Not every on-the-go snack has to be totally healthy, but the blend of black beans and applesauce in these chocolaty brownies helps satisfy your sweet tooth cravings without a dreaded sugar crash.

If you're worried about baking treats with canned beans, we promise it just adds moisture and beneficial fiber rather than taste.

Make sure the can is marked "no sodium added. Snacking on crispy, crunchy kale chips is an excellent way to keep your hunger at bay and is also great for sneaking a serving of veggies into your afternoon.

Loaded with vitamins and minerals , this is one low-carb snack you can feel good about grabbing when you're on the go. Here's an easy take-along snack anyone can make.

In less than an hour, you can have a batch of chickpeas roasted in a spicy blend of cayenne pepper and hot sauce with a sprinkle of herbal flair. Fill a bag with these sweet and spicy chickpeas before you leave so they're ready to satisfy your cravings later.

Not all grab-and-go snack ideas have to be salty and crunchy. These soft muffins are filled with juicy blueberries and topped with lemon and orange peel , so you'll taste plenty of fruity flavor in every bite.

As it turns out, chocolate and peanut butter aren't just for dessert. Much better than store-bought granola bars, these homemade on-the-go snacks are filled with sweet and salty ingredients, so you never have to choose between the two again.

If you like a little variety in your snacks, an on-the-go trail mix is for you. Before leaving in the morning, grab a bag filled with ranch-spiced corn cereal, chow mein noodles, pretzels, and nuts—so each taste of your afternoon snack is just a little different.

Whether you need a morning or afternoon snack, your day will definitely improve if you bring along a wrapped-up slice of banana bread. The best part? When you need a midday pick-me-up, reach out for vitamins and antioxidant-filled fruits—bananas, berries, avocados, plums, or apples—and try to pair them with complex, high-protein carbs like oatmeal, nuts, or even blended in a protein powder shake.

To curb your cravings, avoid processed food, refined oils or sugars, or fried foods as these tend to spike your sugar levels while lowering your energy.

You can easily incorporate caffeine in your go-to snacks to boost your energy. Preferably, go for black coffee or coffee alternatives.