Quick & Easy Snacks for Athletes

There are two common traits amongst almost every athlete: they’re very busy and they need a lot of calories. Unfortunately, these two traits often collide, making it difficult for high-level athletes to stay on track with their nutrition, causing performance to suffer.

That’s where we step in! Athletes need quick, easy snacks that they can eat in two minutes or less, or take with them on-the-go, to make the most of the little free time they have. The difference between a good athlete and a great one is taking advantage of every second, never skipping snacks no matter what. Here are some examples you can start implementing to keep you fueled for every workout and boost overall results:

1. Cereal with milk
   One of the keys to being a successful athlete is having some of your snacks look like “mini meals”. While cereal may be considered a full breakfast for some, it also serves as a quick, high-calorie snack for active athletes. You can keep it simple with just cereal and milk, or you can dress it up a bit by adding a handful of berries and a spoonful of nuts or seeds for even more nutrients and calories!
2. Simple Protein Shake
   We all know that protein is essential for muscle growth and recovery; but only eating it at your three meals each day is not enough. Pouring a packet of Anea Protein powder into a shaker bottle with some water or milk takes less than a minute, and now you have 24+ grams of protein to take with you! And if you’re feeling like you need a little more volume, pair it with an apple or banana, and you’re set!
3. PB&J
   This is one of my favorite snacks to recommend for athletes, especially those with higher calorie needs. It’s simple, small, and versatile. You can use a little bit of peanut butter or jelly, or a lot! You can also use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or powdered PB; and of course, all the different flavors of jelly! This snack can range in calories, is quick to make, and can be quickly consumed at home, in the car, or at school/work. PB&J’s are an absolute game changer for any athlete struggling to get enough calories — especially those trying to gain weight!!
4. Trail Mix
   Earlier, I said PB&J is one of my favorite snacks for athletes… well, trail mix is the favorite. Similar to PB&J, trail mix provides versatility and caloric-density – with the added perk of portability. All it takes is a couple handfuls of trail mix to get a few hundred calories and loads of antioxidants – all while easily snacking on it throughout class, work, or in the car.
5. Energy Balls
   This snack requires a bit of prep ahead of time, but once you make a large batch of them, you can grab two or three and head out the door with a nutritious, energy-packed snack. Just mix oats, nut butter, honey, chocolate chips, seeds, and Anea Protein powder, and then roll into one-inch balls. Keep the energy balls in the fridge, and you have an easy snack for the week!

Regardless of schedule, appetite, and goals, athletes NEED to snack throughout the day. Adding a few of these, along with balanced meals, will start to make a big difference in your energy and performance.