Everyone knows that you need to load up on protein to build muscle. You can always count on the usual suspects as protein sources like eggs, meat, fish, and legumes such as beans. But, let’s face it, sometimes you may want a bit of protein variety. Sure, you can slurp down a protein shake or a protein bar, some of which taste like cardboard. We’ve tasted those protein cookies, but most don’t taste good. Here are three companies that offer protein-packed foods that add some variety to your meals.

Kodiak Cakes

Hailing from Park City, Utah, Kodiak Cakes was founded in 1995; however, the company’s origins date back to the 1980s as a small family brand. The family’s matriarch believed food should be made with wholesome ingredients back then. Today the company offers whole-grains, protein-packed products such as flapjack and waffle mix (we love the buttermilk power cakes). Its line of products includes pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and granola bars. In 2014, Kodiak Cakes appeared on the hit TV series Shark Tank but failed to secure a deal with one of the sharks. It didn’t matter. The company’s sales grew after its appearance. In 2020, Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery awarded Kodiak Cakes “Bakery of the Year .”Last year, L. Catterton, a private equity firm, acquired Kodiak Cakes. Don’t worry; you can still find Kodiak Cakes at Target, Kroger, Walmart, and Costco. You can also head over to kodiakcakes.com for delicious recipe ideas.

Magic Spoon

Founded by two friends, Magic Spoon is an adult cereal company. The company packs its cereals with protein, including low carbs and less sugar. Forbes Magazine and Fast Company gave Magic Spoon rave reviews, not to mention the over 40,000 5-star ratings the company has earned. There are eight flavors to choose from. Magic Spoon cereal is not the sugar bombs that you grew up on as a kid. The company says its most popular flavors are Fruity, Frosted, Cocoa, and Peanut Butter. Unfortunately, you won’t find Magic Spoon cereal on store shelves for now. The company ships its cereal and offers a “100% Happiness Guarantee”.

Perfect Bar

Perfect Snacks is the company behind the refrigerated Perfect Bar. These may be as close to a perfect protein bar as possible. Three years ago, Mondelez took a majority stake in Perfect Snacks; however, the Kieth family still runs the business out of the company’s headquarters in San Diego, California.

The Perfect Bar is organic and non-GMO, packed with 20 superfoods, sweetened with honey, and comes from whole food protein. What’s not to love? Founded in 2005 as a family-owned business, Perfect Snacks grew into a multi-million company. As one of 13 children, Bill Kieth says the Perfect Snack company is what saved his family. Since its founding, the company expanded its line of snacks to include a kid’s line of protein bars and bite-sized Perfect Bites. There are several flavors to choose from, such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough with Sea Salt and Coconut Peanut Butter. We’ve yet to try them all; however, Chocolate Mint and Coconut Peanut Butter seem to be office favorites. One bite, and you won’t be disappointed. So head over to the refrigerated section in the organic aisle of your big chain supermarket and grab a Perfect Bar. You won’t be disappointed!