Options for high-protein snacks, great for on-the-go.
Ideally, we want to fuel our bodies with fresh, whole-food proteins—steak, fish, eggs, poultry—because they deliver not only complete amino acids but also the micronutrients, enzymes, and healthy fats that support optimal muscle repair, hormone balance, and overall health.
That said, life happens. When time is tight or you’re on the go, a well-chosen protein bar, meat stick, or protein drink can be a convenient option. Just remember these should be seen as a backup, not a replacement for real food. Many bars and protein shakes on the market are highly processed, packed with artificial sweeteners, seed oils, or fillers that don’t support your long-term health goals.
Here’s what I look for when it comes to grab-and-go foods:
Minimal ingredients you can actually recognize.
No seed oils (canola, corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, rice bran, safflower, soy, sunflower) since these are inflammatory and easily oxidized.
No added sugars or artificial sweeteners that spike cravings or disrupt gut health.
Avoid gums and preservatives like guar gum, carrageenan, or maltodextrin, which can irritate digestion.
High-quality protein that actually keeps you full and supports muscle repair.
The brands I’ve listed here are ones I either already purchase or would approve of because they prioritize clean ingredients, better protein sources, and lower sugar content.
South-African Biltong and Droevors. No sugar, curing agents, nitrates, or artificial ingredients – just pure, nutritious goodness. Perfect for on-the-go snacking or paired with a meal. Peri Peri is my favorite flavor—it’s got a little kick to it. Original is also great though. I like them all. Use code FUELGOOD for $20 off your order over $75.
✅ Cleanest ingredient-wise
✅ Most minimally processed
INGREDIENTS: 100% Grass-fed & Finished Beef, Red Wine Vinegar, Salt, Roasted Coriander, Rosemary, Pepper
REP Provision Big BEEFY Meat Stixs >>
Each stick delivers 15g of clean, regenerative protein in flavors like regular, jalapeño, and honey BBQ. Made with 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, these sticks are naturally fermented for a gut-friendly boost (with zero preservatives). With 75% more beef than the average snack stick, they’re not just a quick bite—they’re a truly satisfying, nutrient-dense fuel source.
INGREDIENTS: 100% Grass-fed & Finished Beef, water, sea salt, celery powder, dextrose (not used as a sweetener, initiates and is eliminated in the fermentation process), spices, cherry powder, garlic powder, lactic acid culture, in natural collagen casing.
Clean option as well, but not the cheapest, sometimes hard to find in grocery stores. Costco does usually have minis though.
INGREDIENTS: Grass-Fed Beef, Water, Sea Salt, Contains 2% Or Less: Encapsulated Citric Acid, Dehydrated Garlic, Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Cultured Celery Powder, Cherry Powder, Coriander, Onion Powder, White Pepper, Ground Nutmeg, Parsley, In Colored Beef Collagen Casing.
Old Wisconsin Gluten Free Beef Sausage Sticks or Turkey Sausage Sticks >>
I will admit, these are not the cleanest meat sticks, but they work in a pinch, or on a budget, and are not the worst meat sticks. You can get these at Walmart.
✅ Best on a budget
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Salt, Contains 2% or Less of: Corn Syrup Solids, Spices, Dextrose, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Natural, Flavorings, Sodium Erythorbate, Garlic Powder, Sodium Nitrite, Water.
I will admit, this is not the cleanest jerky, but it’s more budget-friendly, and it’s still high protein and low fat to help you hit your protein macros. You can get a family-sized one at Costco.
✅ Best on a budget
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Brown Sugar, Water, Salt, Beef Stock, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Vinegar, Flavorings, Sodium Nitrite.
Old Trapper Original Deli Style Beef Sticks >>
I stopped buying these because of all the extra ingredients, but I love that they have beef heart in them. I personally think these taste delicious, and it’s not a horrible way to get some organ meats in your diet for added nutrients. I used to buy these from Walmart.
✅ Have organ meats
‼️ Not the cleanest ingredients
INGREDIENTS: Beef, Beef Hearts, Water, Reduced Lactose Whey (Contains Milk), Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Corn Syrup Solids, Salt, Flavorings, Monosodium Glutamate, Dextrose, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Lactic Acid Starter Culture, Sodium Nitrite, BHA, BHT.
These are a nutrient-dense powerhouse, but I will be honest, they do taste like liver. It’s barable, but I understand it might be an acquired taste. Though if you are looking for the best bang for your buck in terms of nutrients and macros, this is it. Use code FUELGOOD for $20 off your order over $75.
✅ Have organ meats
✅ Clean ingredients
✅ Most minimally processed
INGREDIENTS: Beef Liver, Red Wine Vinegar, Salt, Roasted Coriander, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Pepper, Clove Stuffed in a Collagen casing
Stonyfield On the Go Yogurt Pouches >>
Clean ingredients, active cultures, and fun flavors. This would be a great snack choice.
INGREDIENTS: Cultured Pasteurized Organic Whole Milk, Organic Cane Sugar, Pectin, Natural Flavor, Organic Natural Vanilla Flavor, Vitamin D3. Live Active Cultures: S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus, Bifidus, and L. paracasei.
Chobani Protein Greek Yogurt Drinks >>
Relatively clean ingredients, high protein, fun flavors. Easy on the go. This one doesn’t have live or active cultures, but it’s good for hitting protein. Not the best low-sugar item, though.
INGREDIENTS: Lowfat Greek Yogurt (Cultured Skim Milk and Cream), Water, Strawberries, Less than 2% of: Chicory Root Fiber, Natural Flavors, Lactase**, Fruit Pectin, Vegetable Juice Concentrate (for Color), Stevia Extract, Locust Bean Gum, Monk Fruit Extract, Lemon Juice Concentrate. ** Ingredient Not Found in Regular Yogurt.
Raw Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder >>
No sweeteners, no flavors, no lecithin, no gums, and no additives. No rBGH/rBST, no antibiotics, and no GMO feed — just clean, ethical dairy protein. Cold-filtered to preserve essential amino acids and nutrients. This clean protein is high in BCAAs and easy to digest — ideal for post-workout recovery or daily fuel. Low-carb, unflavored, gluten-free, and soy-free. No artificial ingredients, ever.
ONLY ONE INGREDIENT: 100% Grass Fed Pure Whey Protein
NAKED 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder >>
Only 1 Ingredient, multiple flavors, Whey Protein, Undenatured, Gluten Free, Soy Free, No GMOs, No Preservatives. COLD PROCESSED: Unlike most whey protein powders, Naked Whey is cold processed to ensure zero contamination from chemical detergents (no acid or bleach) or, synthetic additives, and this maintains important naturally occurring growth factors.
ONLY ONE INGREDIENT: 100% Grass Fed Pure Whey Protein
Protein Bar Options
Personally, I don’t do protein bars, but that doesn’t mean you might not benefit from them depending on your schedule. Again, please remember, protein bars and packaged snacks can fill a gap, but they’re never a true replacement for real food. Whole proteins—like beef, chicken, eggs, and fish—are more bioavailable, meaning your body can actually absorb and use their nutrients better. They also deliver the vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that keep your energy, hormones, and metabolism in check.
These are the brands I’d consider—and why.
Carnivore Snax Bars – 100% meat-based, zero seed oils, super simple ingredients.
EPIC Bars – made from animal protein (beef, chicken, bison, venison). Watch flavors for added sugar, but many are very clean.
Perfect Keto Bars – low carb, ~2g sugar, no seed oils, some additives and preservatives, but not the worst.
LarBar – Honestly, it’s mostly plant-based, but super clean ingredients.