From bread to ice cream, the range of protein-rich supermarket products continues to grow. The question is: are they healthier than regular foods?
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Protein is certainly the buzzword in nutrition. Whether you’re trying to gain weight, optimize metabolism, or combat the weight gain that comes with perimenopause, you’ve probably heard that protein is a supernutrient that many of us need to eat a lot more of.
You may have also noticed that there is a growing range of protein-rich supermarket products, ranging from bread to pizza bases, from yoghurt to ice cream. The question is: are these products really healthier?
Protein-rich bread is nutritionally fundamentally different from regular bread, both in taste and texture.Delivered
Protein bread
Bread is one of the first food products to make the transition to a low-carb diet, but there is a growing range of high-protein bread options in supermarkets that can provide as much as 20 grams of protein per two slices. High-protein breads, which typically contain a lot of grains and seeds, may also have ingredients such as bamboo and soy protein added to increase the protein content. High-protein breads can certainly be a nutritional addition to the diet, but in terms of taste and texture, they are fundamentally nutritionally different from regular bread, creating a chewy texture that is not ideal for sandwiches. If you like these products, keep in mind that, in addition to the nutrients, they also typically contain more calories than regular whole wheat bread.
Top picks
- Burgen Low Carb Sunflower and Linseed Bread with a high protein content
- Aldi Bakers Life Low-carb and higher-protein bread
If you like a wrap, look for options with a whole-grain base.Delivered
Protein wraps
Protein-rich breads have ingredient lists that are relatively free of additives, but protein wraps are a whole different story. A typical low-carb, high-protein wrap is made with a range of highly processed ingredients and may contain protein added via wheat fiber and soy protein. Emulsifiers and preservatives give the product its texture and long shelf life, although there is very little natural fiber from whole grains or other nutrient-rich base ingredients. If you like a wrap, look for options with a whole-wheat base and a minimal ingredient list.
Top picks
- Aldi Bakers Life Mini White or Wholemeal Wraps
- Coles Wholemeal & Grain Soft Wraps
Even high-protein fruit products tend to be nutritionally strong because they tend to skip refined sugar.Delivered
Protein yogurt
Protein yogurts are generally minimally processed and nutrient-dense additions to the diet. Most protein-rich yogurts are made from concentrated dairy products and contain more than 15 g of natural dairy proteins and minimal other additives. Even the fruit options tend to be nutritionally strong, made using natural sources of fruit sugars instead of added sugars to create a tasty, protein- and calcium-rich food.
Top picks
- YoPRO Perform High Protein Yogurt No Added Sugar Mixed Berry
- YoPRO Danone High Protein Yogurt Without Added Sugar Vanilla
Protein is most useful in the diet when found in its natural form.Delivered
Protein chips
There’s nothing healthy about a baked or fried chip with extra processed protein to create a snack that only has 5-10 g of extra protein per serving. Protein is most useful in the diet when it is found in its natural form, in foods that naturally contain protein. Adding it to grain or vegetable chips means you’re getting a high-calorie, expensive food for very little extra protein.
Top picks
- The Happy Snack Company Roasted Broad Beans Lightly Salted
Protein bars can be useful when traveling.Delivered
Protein bars
Although protein bars are generally ultra-processed, they can be a convenient way to get more than 10-15 grams of protein in a single, portable bar. They are often low in sugar and made with sweeteners and sugar alcohols. Not too “healthy” protein bars can be useful when traveling, or as a high-protein food that can be enjoyed when the only other option is packaged snacks or fast food. The key is to find options that are less than 150-200 calories and contain at least 10 grams of protein per serving. Protein bars can be extremely high in calories, with some varieties containing only 5-10 grams of protein per serving.
Top picks
- BC Snacks Protein bar with dark chocolate and almond
- Carman’s Protein Bars With low sugar content, dark chocolate and roasted nuts
Lower calorie, higher protein desserts also tend to cost more than regular treats.Delivered
Protein ice cream
There are a growing number of protein-based desserts, including puddings and iced treats. Technically they are not ‘ice creams’. The key with these high-protein desserts is to ensure they have a dairy or soy base to boost the overall nutritional profile of the product, as well as less than 5g of sugar per serving, as some high-protein foods can also be high in protein. added sugars. The downside is that these lower calorie, higher protein desserts are also relatively expensive, so they are suitable for people with specific protein-related nutritional goals.
Top picks
- Wicked Sister high protein chocolate pudding
- Twisted Protein Frozen Dessert Butter Caramel Cookie
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