The key to successful weight loss often entails two things—regular exercise and choosing the right food. But making the right food choices, right down to the snacks, is often more challenging than it seems, especially if one is always on the go.

Here are some great protein-packed snacks that are guaranteed to take you through your next carefully planned meal.

Protein bars

Protein bars are a no-brainer if you need a quick and healthy pick me up. Having a stash nearby will save a person a trip to the vending machine or nearest fast food. But with numerous protein bars on grocery shelves, it can get confusing. It is best to choose protein bars that have about 200 calories each as these usually carry 10 to 12 grams of protein. Making your own no-bake protein bars is another option. Add a good plant-based protein powder to your batter, mix it with nuts or peanut butter and chill.

Hard boiled eggs

Eggs are considered one of the healthiest foods around; each serving has a portion of almost every essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, it is portable and easy to cook. You can even boil several eggs in advance so you can just grab them and go.

String Cheese

Some people might have reached their quota of string cheese from the time their parents packed it in their lunch boxes. But these portioned out cheeses are an ideal, low-calorie, high-protein snack, especially when paired with an apple or any fruit currently in season. Some brands give 20 percent of the daily recommended calcium intake and eight grams of protein per serving.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great breakfast or snack item. They are easy to make too; one can just cobble together their favorite fruits with ice, blend and voila! Fruits are also renowned for carrying antioxidants that help fight against different diseases. One recipe to try is the triple berry smoothie. You just need a cup of low-fat milk, a cup of frozen berries, two whole fresh dates and one tablespoon ground flaxseed. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, adding ice or milk when necessary.

Jerky

This is a great snack because it is lean, savory and low in fat. Plus, chewing it tricks your mind into thinking you have eaten more than enough. There are different kinds of jerkies these days; aside from the regular beef or turkey, you can also find buffalo or chicken jerky. Most carry 10 grams of protein and around 100 calories per ounce. Go for the lower-sodium variety to further cut down on salt.