As springtime approaches, Israelis are already looking forward to warmer weather and the chance to resume all the activities they love.
Whether it’s tossing a ball around Jerusalem’s Sacher Park, hiking the trails of Ein Gedi, swimming at the beach in Tel Aviv, biking the trails of the Hula Valley, or simply getting a pump at the local calisthenics park, there are many great opportunities for everyone in the Holy Land to be active.
Performing your best, feeling your best, and getting the best results, however, require good nutrition, and that means getting your protein. Let’s face it, though: Not everyone has all the time in the world to cook or even meal prep. Sometimes, what you need is a quick, high-quality snack.
Fortunately, there are many great products in Israel that can provide you with the protein you need, when you need it. Having witnessed Samantha trying to attain her protein goals by eating five to seven hard-boiled eggs in The Jerusalem Post’s office once too often, Evan suggested that the two set out to discover some of those snack options.
Below are our evaluations of a selection of protein-enriched products sent to us by the companies that produce them. We hope the list will help you decide where to get your supplemental protein so that you have the energy to enjoy all the activities suited to the upcoming warmer weather.
1. Tnuva GO protein pretzels
Per 100 gr. (approximately). Per 50-gr. bag, the values below are halved:
- 394 calories
- 52 gr. protein
- 13.4 gr. carbohydrates
- 10.6 gr. fat
Evan: Tnuva’s protein pretzels are one of my top 10 favorite foods of all time. However, it must be said that this is because of, not in spite of, a slightly hard-to-describe aftertaste and texture. The pretzels have a slightly cheesy, or sourdough-like, flavor that I find delicious, but that might not be universally loved. I preferred the salt flavor to the sesame, but I liked both. They also leave one’s teeth feeling slightly sticky as many protein products seem to. For me, these pretzels would score a whopping 25 out of 10; and if I could afford to do so on a journalist’s salary, I would eat them at every meal. At around NIS 12 for a bag, with 25 gr. of protein (around 2 gr. of protein per shekel), these aren’t the most expensive protein snacks, but they are up there.
Samantha: They don’t taste like much, which is an advantage, considering how much protein they pack; but there is a weird aftertaste, so after the first one, that’s kind of the taste you’re left with. But they are pretzels, so you can dip them in hummus – an excellent option. This snack has a ridiculously high protein content for a relatively minuscule calorie count, and it is fiber-enriched, so it’s really hard to beat it for what it is. It also contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which, if you are struggling to meet your daily protein intake, can be helpful.
2. JO-MO PRO – a variety of flavors
Per bar (approximately):
- 264 calories
- 20 gr. protein
- 9 gr. carbohydrates
- 17 gr. fat
Evan: Eating these bars is like eating a hunk of nut butter, reminiscent of the inside of a Reese’s candy bar in the best way possible. These crumbly snacks come in a variety of flavors and types of nut butter, with chocolate chunks or other fun additions. These are also vegan and keto-friendly. The hazelnut butter is slightly more delicate and neutral than the peanut butter, but both are super yummy. If you don’t like the inside of Reese’s cups because of textural issues, these may not be for you; but otherwise, if the macros match your needs, I would give these a try.
Samantha: It’s a really solid protein bar, especially if you are looking for something that’s less carb-dense. With under half a gram of sugar and only nine gr. of carbs (two of which are composed of dietary fiber), this is a really solid choice for someone looking to prioritize protein and fats in their macros. The chocolate flavor actually tastes like milk chocolate, and there is a nice crunch from the hazelnut, while the unwanted “chalky” flavor of a protein bar is minimal. It’s not a big bar either, so it’s a really good choice if you’re looking for a quick option. At around NIS 15 per bar, you get around 1.3 gr. of protein per shekel. This is a pretty standard price for protein bars.
3. GO By TNUVA protein powder – cookies and cream or vanilla caramel
Per 100 gr.:
- 368-387 calories
- 77-78 gr. protein
- 9-9.5 gr. carbohydrates
- 3.6-4.6 gr. fat
Evan: These protein powders make intensely sweet but delicious shakes. I mixed them in a shaker with milk for an extra-creamy vibe. The cookies and cream was impressively “un-clumpy” when mixed by hand vs in a blender, more so than the vanilla caramel. Neither, however, was fully clump-free, a common issue with hand-mixed protein powder. While they lack the slightly cheesy protein products taste of many other powders, the vanilla caramel flavor had a very slight “vitaminy” taste – also common among such powders.
Prices for the protein powder vary, with 2 kg. of protein going for NIS 300 at Super-Pharm and Supersal. Osher Ad often has the vanilla and chocolate flavors for around NIS 200. At NIS 200 per 61 servings of 25 gr. of protein each, the price is around 7.6 gr. of protein per shekel; and at NIS 300, it’s around 5 gr.
4. GO By YOPLAIT and TNUVA yogurt cups
Per cup:
- 114-123 calories
- 20 gr. protein
- 6.2-6.4 gr. carbs
- 0-2 gr. fat
Samantha: Yogurt is among my favorite protein snacks, and these yogurts are my favorites. It’s very easy to explain why: The protein content is enormous, making up around two-thirds of the total caloric value of the snack. As a bonus, they even contain some BCAAs. But for me, flavor is paramount. I can’t get myself to eat something consistently if I’m not enjoying it. These yogurts have a sweet flavor that actually tastes like the flavor on the label. I was particularly surprised by how good and natural the coconut yogurt tasted. Further, these yogurts have a rich, creamy consistency that is not only great on its own but would improve any smoothie. Honestly, they taste better than many yogurts that have less protein and more sugar. These yogurts go for around NIS 5 to NIS 7 per cup, providing a respectable 3 gr. of protein per shekel.
5. GO BY YOPLAIT and TNUVA yogurt drink
Per carton:
- 265 calories
- 42 gr. protein
- 17 gr. carbs
- 2.5 gr. fat
Samantha: These drinks are simply delicious and my first choice if I don’t have time to make breakfast in the morning. They come in a variety of flavors, including banana caramel, vanilla, and peach-passion fruit. Similar to the yogurt cups, the protein in these accounts for around two-thirds of the caloric content. And with 42 gr. of protein per carton, they contribute a significant chunk to my daily protein goals. They also have added BCAAs. On top of that, the flavor of these drinks is sweet and has no weird “protein taste.” Plus, they’re so convenient, you can grab one, take a few sips, screw the cap back on, and toss it in your bag to finish at your leisure. At around NIS 14 per carton, these have about 3 gr. of protein per shekel.
6. PROMAX Herbalife 24
Per 100 gr. of powder:
- 380 calories
- 51 gr. protein
- 36 gr. carbohydrates
- 3 gr. fat
Samantha: Protein powder is one of the most versatile dietary supplements. You can include it in recipes, mix it in smoothies, or just mix it with water and enjoy.
Mixing this protein powder in just water, I was impressed by its pleasant, chocolate milk-like flavor. The chalky, “protein powder aftertaste” was also very muted. I will certainly be including it in my post-gym shakes.
A container with 20 servings costs about NIS 312, making it around 1.6 gr. of protein per shekel.
7. PROTEIN TODAY 22 200 bars
Per bar (65 gr.) (approximately):
- 204 calories
- 22 gr. protein
- 22.6 gr. carbs
- 7.7 gr. fat
Samantha: The Protein Today 22 200 bars are not simply a larger version of the Protein Today 15 160/152. They’re different bars. While both pack a good amount of protein for their size, the 22 200 have a smoother texture. In every flavor, there’s a consistently decent tasting bar. They do, however, have a bit of that “protein flavor” aftertaste, which is fairly noticeable. However, their calorie count is modest, and they have a relatively low fat content, as well as a good balance of carbs-to-protein. These protein bars come in a selection of flavors, so you’re likely to land on at least one that you can look forward to for some satiation after a hard workout.
8. PROTEIN TODAY 15 160/152
Per bar (42 gr.) (approximately):
- 150-160 calories
- 15 gr. protein
- 12-13 gr. carbohydrates
- 2.7-4 g gr. fat
Samantha: The Protein Today 15 160/152 bars are the lighter, crunchier cousin of the 22 200 bars, at only 42 gr. apiece. While they also have a bit of the protein-flavored aftertaste, a full third of their weight is made up of protein. Additionally, the crunch gives this bar a nice bite. If you’re looking for a dose of protein in a small package with a minimal calorie content, these are hard to beat.
The Protein Today bars have a recommended price of NIS 13 to NIS 15, fairly standard for protein bars, which comes in at around 1.3 gr. of protein per shekel.
9. HERBALIFE 24 ACHIEVE protein bar
Per bar (60 gr.):
- 209 calories
- 7.5 gr. fat
- 21 gr. protein
- 22 gr. carbohydrates
Evan: This is a delicious protein bar. The texture is similar to that of a firm Mars bar but with a rich, dark chocolate flavor that is not too sweet. It tastes like a good candy bar. A six-pack of these costs NIS 116, putting each bar at around 1 gr. of protein per shekel. A bar costs about NIS 19, which appears to be higher than the average price for such a snack.
OUR FOOD choices have a tremendous impact on the results we get from our physical activities. Israelis, whose Mediterranean cuisine is both delicious and ranks among the healthiest in the world, understand this well.
Sometimes, however, what you need is some good, satiating protein that is quick, portable, stores well, and comes in a wrapper. And these, like traditional food options, should be both healthy and enjoyable.
We hope this review of protein products available in Israel helps you find the delicious, healthy snack you need when you next get moving.
