After the leisurely pace of the summer season, the return to work and school can make fall feel especially hectic. While juggling parenting, work and a busy social life, it can be hard to remember to nourish the body regularly. Many Americans report working long hours in particular to be the main barrier to eating well.
Thankfully nowadays there are no shortage of nutritious convenience foods on the market. And with protein having a moment, increasingly more convenience foods are built to keep you satiated for longer. Stock your pantry with these foods that are either ready to eat or only take a couple minutes to prepare, to set yourself up for success this fall.
Yishi Oatmeal
Inspired by her mother’s black sesame porridge she grew up eating in China, founder Lin Jiang created Yishi to bring Asian flavors to the oatmeal aisle. Each unique flavor (think: taro bubble tea and chocolate chili) contains added ingredients for a nutrient boost—such as matcha for energy and black sesame for fiber. Made by microwaving, pouring with hot water or soaking overnight, it’s a versatile oatmeal that makes a quick and easy breakfast or snack. The oatmeal has been such a hit, they’ve added oat spreads in their popular flavors like taro ube and mango coconut, to their lineup too.
Good Culture
Cottage cheese has been blowing up on TikTok lately, and for good reason—the thick, creamy curds are packed with protein and calcium to replenish the bones and muscles, and active bacterial cultures to support gut health. While plain cottage cheese can air on the side of sour, Good Culture’s line of sweet cottage cheeses add real fruit like strawberries and pineapple to balance its natural tangy flavor. Each cup delivers 15 grams of protein and is just slightly sweet with three grams of sugar.
Frooze Balls
These energy balls are so rich and decadent flavor, it’s hard to believe they contain just a few ingredients. Cane sugar is swapped for dates and natural fruit juices, while coconut and nuts provide texture. Inspired by comforting American eats like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and caramel chocolate bar, the four flavors make for an indulgent sweet treat on-the-go.
Ninja Combi Ultimate Chef’s Package
Ninja Combi Multi-Cooker, Oven and Air fryer
If you love to cook but are pressed for time, Ninja’s newest multi-cooker can create complete meals in just 15 minutes. With 14 functions, this all-in-one multi-cooker, oven and air fryer is a marked departure from Ninja’s other appliances like the beloved Speedi Air Fryer. Saute, steam, bake, toast, slow cook, sous vide, broil and air fry—there is pretty much nothing the Ninja Combi can’t do. Claiming to make a meal 50% faster than a traditional oven and with the ability to cook multiple meal components in one dish, this magic wizard not only saves you cooking time, but clean-up time too. The Chef’s Package comes with all the accessories you need to make using the multi-cooker a breeze.
Pure Protein
The brand known for their protein powders and shakes is getting into savory snacks with their latest popped crisps. Made with pea protein and lentil flour, they’re a gluten-free chip that delivers 12 grams of protein per bag. Available in classic flavors like barbecue and sour cream and onion, they’re a satisfying crunchy snack that will keep you fuelled. Those who prefer something sweet will want to try their protein bars, nut bars and candy bar bites.
Koia Protein Shakes
Whether you’re looking for post-workout recovery or a satiating boost of energy throughout the day, these protein drinks are a satisfying snack with 18 grams of plant-based protein per serving. They also contain prebiotics that give the gut a boost with seven grams of fiber. There are nine protein shakes to choose from (like pumpkin spice and cold brew coffee), but they also offer fruit smoothies and organic shakes in sweet flavors like birthday cake and cookies and crème. Their latest addition to the roster is a line of shakes inspired by classic childhood cereals (think: fruity cereal and cinnamon cereal).
Methodology Meal Kits
While there are now countless meal kit delivery services to choose from, few offer nutritious ready-to-eat meals that don’t sacrifice flavor in the pursuit of convenience. With a focus on nutrient-dense plants, Methodology’s dairy- and gluten-free meals are nutritious without being restrictive. Whether you choose meat, seafood, vegan or a combination of all three, the menu changes weekly so you never grow tired of the same dishes. Meals come with probiotic tonics, matcha and chocolate truffles for an added touch.
Organic Valley Mighty Organic Beef Sticks
Organic Valley Mighty Organic Beef Stick
Made with 100% grass-fed beef and available in unique flavors like spicy jalapeno and teriyaki, these jerky sticks are a sweet and salty snack for on-the-go. While antibiotics and pesticides can often be involved in the production of jerky, everything at Organic Valley is USDA organic so you can expect recognizable ingredients like cultured celery juice powder and organic honey. Their organic cheese sticks also make a nutritious addition to the kid’s lunchbox. With their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, relying on renewable energy and regenerating the soil, Organic Valley makes animal-based snacks you can feel good about.
Laird Protein Bars
While there are countless protein bars to choose from, what sets Laird’s apart is the addition of functional mushrooms like chaga and lion’s mane for stress relief. Each bar provides six grams of fiber and 10 grams of plant-based protein sourced from peas, pumpkin and hemp. Available in five flavors (think: chocolate mint and lemon almond), plus a seasonal pumpkin spice flavor, they’re a sweet snack to fuel your day. The bars are best paired with Laird’s latte mixes which similarly contain adaptogens and functional mushrooms.
That’s It Fruit Bars
With nothing in them but fruit, these convenient bars live up to their name. Fruits like mango, strawberry and apple provide natural sweetness without any added sugar. Those looking to boost their gut health will want to try their probiotic fruit bars which contain the prebiotics naturally found in fruit and two billion live active cultures. With mini-bars, Halloween bites and fruit crunchables, they’re a sweet snack to add to the purse, workout bag or kid’s lunchbox.
Siggi’s Skyr Yogurt
Inspired by the thick, high-protein yogurt of the founder’s native Iceland, Siggi’s arguably made skyr yogurt mainstream. Since launching in 2005, they’ve perfected their creamy texture and expanded the line to drinkable yogurts and yogurt pouches for those on-the-go. Available in nine flavors, the non-fat yogurts are their standout product with 16 grams of protein per serving. With keto, plant-based and lower-sugar options, they’ve got something for every diet.
Diana’s Bananas
With five billion bananas thrown out in the United States each year, Diana’s is mitigating food waste by up-cycling bananas. The small or slightly irregular bananas that would normally be tossed, Diana’s rescues and coats in chocolate made from West African cacao and cocoa beans. The four decadent flavors—dark chocolate, milk chocolate, peanut butter cup and salted caramel—come in bites and halves, and make for a sweet treat you can feel good about.
Alani Nu Protein Shakes
Beloved for their pre- and post-workout supplements, this brand knows how to create fuelling snacks that you’ll crave. With nostalgic flavors like cookies and crème, fruit cereal and strawberry shortcake, their ready-to-drink protein shakes are a smooth elixir that sweet tooth’s will love. Each bottle delivers 20 grams of protein to replenish your body. Fans of the taste will want to try their protein bars which come in equally as fun flavors like rocky road and peanut butter and jelly, or their protein coffee shakes for a boost of energy.
ONO Overnight Oats
Created with active lifestyles in mind, this line of overnight oats is proving that a quick and easy breakfast doesn’t have to be boring. All you have to do is add hot water to the convenient single-use packet or soak overnight and they’re ready to eat. Each packet is packed with nutrition from lion’s mane, chia seeds and 20 grams of protein sourced from either whey or a plant-based blend. With flavors such as rocky road, cereal milk and seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice, this oatmeal is so delicious it can arguably double as dessert.
Wilde Chips
These chips swap the potatoes for chicken breast for an extra hit of protein. With the inclusion of egg whites and bone broth, the chicken chips provide 10 grams of protein per serving. Available in unique flavors like Nashville hot and chicken and waffles they’re a satisfying snack that’ll fuel your day.
Ora Organics Protein Powder
Adding protein to your smoothie is an easy way to make your on-the-go snack or post-workout shake more satiating. With 21 grams of plant-based protein, this powder provides essential and non-essential amino acids to support your body’s tissues and hormones. But it also contains 19 antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables such as acai, kale and acerola extract. Unlike other plant-based protein powders, this one blends so smoothly all you need is water.
Maja Overnight Oats
What started as a mom creating plant-based mixes has since expanded to include overnight oats too. These convenient single serve packets are packed with fiber from hemp, chia and flax seeds, and 20 grams of protein sourced from a plant-based blend of pea, pumpkin and hemp protein. Available in two flavors—banana and cacao coconut—the lightly sweet oatmeal also contains maca for a boost of energy.