7 Protein-Packed Foods for Your Kids

When it comes to snacks for kids, the choices go on and on—but many of the usual suspects rank considerably low on the protein scale. As part of an overall balanced diet, protein is an essential nutritional building block that should play a role in what your child eats.

Here are 7 kid-friendly ways to power up the protein.

Sunflower Seeds

The gift of the bright yellow, seed-studded sunflower, this munch-worthy snack is also an excellent source of vitamin E, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate and niacin.

Protein power: 6.46 grams of protein in a 1-ounce serving

Garbanzo Beans

Loaded with folate, manganese, iron and vitamin B6, garbanzo beans are also rich in fiber (7.6 grams per serving). Add them to soups and stews for an extra nutritional kick.

Protein power: 6 grams of protein in a ½ cup serving

Peanut Butter

A classic kid-favorite and nutritional powerhouse, peanut butter contains three milligrams of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, in just one serving. It also boasts 49 milligrams of bone-strengthening magnesium and 0.17 milligrams of vitamin B6, a proven immunity booster. The fiber and protein in peanut butter join forces to provide a belly-filling energy boost. Peanut allergy in the family? Don’t miss our blog post featuring seven kid-approved alternatives to peanut butter.

Try Old Home Foods, “All Natural” Creamy Peanut Butter, which you can find in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Or, as a fun alternative, try making your own.

Protein power: 8 grams of protein a 2-tablespoon serving

Greek Yogurt

Creamy and delicious, Greek yogurt has double the protein and half the sodium of regular yogurt, plus it’s packed with probiotics and vitamin B12. We recommend FAGE Total 0%.

Protein power: 15 grams of protein in a 5.3-ounce serving

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods you can feed your kids. Just one hard-boiled egg contains 15% of the recommended dietary allowance of vitamin B2 and 22% of the recommended dietary allowance of the brain-booster selenium. Go for omega 3-enriched eggs, which are even higher in vitamins A and E.

Protein power: 6.29 grams of protein in one hard-boiled egg

Trail Mix

Healthy, filling and portable, trail mix is perfect for kids on the go. We suggest making your own by combining your child’s favorite dried fruit, nuts or seeds, and whole-grain cereal.

Protein power: 4-6 grams of protein per serving in most kinds of trail mix

Cottage Cheese

Bone-building calcium, muscle-building phosphorus and cell-strengthening vitamin A—cottage cheese has it all, and these nutrients are essential for your child’s growth and development. And though it tastes rich, cottage cheese is low in calories—perfect for a light snack. Did you know that Traders Point Cottage Cheese uses 100% organic grass-fed milk? Another great choice is all-natural Daisy Cottage Cheese.

Protein power: 12 grams of protein in a ½ cup serving of small-curd cottage cheese