Good Lifestyle

Cookies. Who does not like them? Choose your poison: a chocolate chip, a macadamia nut, oatmeal ... we could continue. If you have a sweet tooth, it can be difficult to keep your treats on your sweets on sugar if you try to eat healthy. And protein cookies - trendy snacks and wellness desserts - combine the best of both worlds with their sweet and nutritious elements.

"I think people love that people like this tendency of protein cookies, because it makes them feel less" guilty "to engage in a real treat (or two or three)," says Charlotte Martin, MS, RDN, CSOWM , CPT, authorized diet nutritionist and owner ofShaped by Charlotte, LLC.

But just because they are destined to be a healthy alternative to the real deal, it does not mean they are.

"The fact that they are marketed as" protein biscuits "gives them this health-halo effect, even if they may not be really nutritious or better than regular cookies," said Martin.

Before shopping for the grocery store for these fitness snacks, read our guide to choose the 9 best protein cookies and how to avoid unhealthy options.

How to choose a healthy protein cookie

There are tons of options with respect to cookie's choice, but there are some things to look for some cookies have defined some cookies above the rest.

• Process protein cookies like any other food. "I think it's still important to treat a protein biscuit as you would a regular cookie," says Amber Pankonin MS, RD, LMNT, authorized dietidian and owner ofTailist. "Do not assume that they are all created equal or are healthy, simply because the word" protein "is in the title. Make sure you read the nutrition panel and pay particular attention to The wage size as a tag of several ½ cookie marks like 1 portion. "
• Keep an eye on the sugar content. "I also check that there is no added sugar than protein - you want at least the same amount of protein as the added sugar, but ideally higher," says Pankonin. TheAmerican Heart Association Recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar added a day for women and no more than 37.5 grams of added sugar for men.
• Look for the fiber content. "I like to look at least a few grams of fibers," says Martin. "But the buyer beware - Some of the sources of fiber used in health products can cause digestive disorders in some people."

The best protein cookies

The top 9 protein biscuits were hand picked by nutritionists for their stellar nutritional qualities.

1. Munk Pack - SnickerDoodle

"Although I'm not a huge fan of large protein cookies that give 2 servings by biscuit, the nutrients of it are good," says Martin. "You get a little more protein than you have added sugar and some grams of fibers too. In addition, they are made with a mixture of plant-based proteins instead of whey and are without egg and without Ideal egg for vegans or those who avoid dairy and / or eggs. "

2. Kakookies blondie

"This cookie has a great texture and a good flavor," says Pankonin. "It might not be as high in proteins or fibers compared to other brands, but it would be a good place to start for someone looking for a protein biscuit. It's alsogluten free which could be useful for gluten-free buyers. "

3. SIREN ANNIVERSARY Cake Forms Protein

"The texture is more like the cookie dough that I really like, but it also has a very good flavor," says Pankonin. "Once again, I like fiber content because it's not too dairy. This one is also dairy for free and without soy, which could be good for those who are allergic or trying to avoid dairy or soy. "

4. Lenny & Larry's Complete Crispy Cookies - Chocolate Chip

"I think the nutritional profile of these cookies is better than the original biscuits of Lenny & Larry," says Martin. "Although I would like to see a few more protein in them, I like that the protein mixture is listed as the first ingredient and there are 4 grams of fiber per serving. In addition, they have a delicious taste ! They are my favorite tasting protein cookies. "

5. Paleo Prime Vanilla Raspberry

"Another option without gluten, this cookie has a good flavor and a beautiful mouth. I like it because it is really satisfying and you can taste the flavor of raspberry with vanilla!" said Pankonin.

6. Alani Nude Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chocolate Cookies Pasta

"These cookies also have the mix of protein listed as the first ingredient," says Martin. "What I like most about these cookies is how many protein you get in each. You get 16 grams of whey protein for just over 200 calories, making it comparable to a bar protein but in the form of cookies. "

7. Crunchy Sandwich Cookies of Bake Bake Bake Protein - Birthday Cake

"I like the cooking of the creative buffed buffe with the idea of ​​protein cookies and makes sandwich cookies with their signature nut butter stuffed with two crunchy cookies," says Martin. "These cookies also have a protein lists as the first ingredient and have a protein ratio 2: 1 to add sugar. In addition, they are gluten free for those who need to avoid gluten."

8. The complete cookie of Lenny & Larry, SnickerDoodle

"This cookie has a great flavor of snickerdoodle and I like the softness of the texture. However, the service size is ½ cookie, so be aware of the size of your portion," says Pankonin.

9. Quest Protein Cookie - Chocolate Chip

"This protein is the lowest of the group's sugar, without added sugar whatsoever. It is sucked mainly by Stevia, which could be a good thing if you look at your consumption of sugar," says Martin. "It is also high of protein and fiber. However, the 9 grams of fibers

"This one is the worst of the group. The cane juice evaporated (alias sugar) is listed as the first ingredient, which makes sense when you see that the enumerated sugar grams are twice that of the protein", explains Martin. "You could also eat a large regular cookie and have a shake protein half on the side."

2. Chocolate with peanut butter NUGO

"This cookie has a lot of fiber in one session. In addition, the flavor and texture are not appetizing," says Pankonin.

3. Full Cookie of Lenny & Larry (Original) - Chocolate Chip

"This is another big protein biscuit that gives 2 servings by cookie," says Martin. "Enriched wheat flour (aka refined flour) is listed as the first ingredient, and the protein blends like the second ingredient. In addition, there is a slightly more added sugar than protein."

4. NUGO protein cookie - dark chocolate chip

"I'm not a big fan of big protein cookies that give two servings by biscuit because 1) Many people do not realize that cookie supplies two portions and 2) how many people are really stopping eating all the cookie once They have already eaten half of it? In addition, these cookies are higher in sugar than they are protein, "says Martin.

5. OATMEGA Biscuit White Chocolate Chip

"A service size contains 340 calories (which is on the upper side)," says Pankonin. "The fiber content could be too high for some, but I would not recommend it because the flavor was not appetizing."