# What's a good source of post-workout protein that's shelf-stable enough to be left in the car? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 3, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324 "2017-03-03T19:25:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/1 "2017-03-03T19:25:36Z")
After your workout, there are a virtually unlimited number of foods/drinks which help aid in your body’s recovery. However, very few of them are stable enough to be left in the car for long periods of time. Protein powders can go rancid in the high heat and snack bars can get stale. Does anyone have any suggestions of a post-workout food that I can leave in my car or workout bag without having it go stale or worry about making sure my it stays at room temperature? The thing I’ve been using with good luck is chia I guess since it’s a seed, it’s very stable for long periods of time even in high heat. The downside is that it’s a little high in fat. Yes, it’s the same chia as in Chia Pet, although from the health food section. Chia has long been a food stable used by the Mexican Indians, and has good nutrition value. Although it’s higher in fat than our Western diet would like, it’s healthy Omega fats like in fish oil. You don’t eat the seeds directly. You mix with water and they hydrate. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/2 "2017-03-03T19:33:05Z")
Tuna in foil pouch Peanuts Dried fish Dried beef Any of those work? ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/3 "2017-03-03T19:34:18Z")
Met-rx or other protein bars. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/4 "2017-03-03T19:34:50Z")
The only one I can think of is Jerky, but even that will eventually go bad. How long is “long?" ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/5 "2017-03-03T19:37:05Z")
Jerky. But, really, won’t protein bars do? Why do you feel the need to leave things in the car for long periods? Is that where you live? ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/6 "2017-03-03T19:41:44Z")
Peanut butter. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/7 "2017-03-03T19:47:32Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But, really, won’t protein bars do? Why do you feel the need to leave things in the car for long periods? Is that where you live? It’s just for convenience. I often forget to bring one from the house. I’d be much more successful leaving a box of 12 in the car rather than have to remember 12 times to bring one from the pantry. I’m in the south, so it’s typical for a car to get well over 100 degrees in the summer. Jerky works for a short while, but it tends to get tough after many days in a summer car. I hadn’t thought of tuna in the foil. It lasts a long time in the pantry. I can try that and see how it holds up to the heat. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/8 "2017-03-03T20:05:50Z")
How many calories are you shooting for? And how much of that should be protein? I’ve posted these [delightful little hams](https://www.amazon.com/Profi-Touristic-Pork-Ham-110g/dp/B00JOVWH8Y) before. A hair under 4 ounces, 140 cals, 16 grams of protein, 6 grams total fat. They are shelf stable. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/9 "2017-03-03T20:16:28Z")
Power Bars were one of the first energy bars, and they pretty much nailed it with their design. There is nothing to melt, they are foil wrapped (will not auto-open), and will keep for quite a while. They have a protein variety now as well. How they taste is subject to debate - I don’t mind them, but to some they are chalky and taste like pre-chewed vitamins. They can last a long time in the conditions you mention, tho. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/10 "2017-03-03T21:05:05Z")
Those canned drinks for seniors, Ensure and the like. Or just an unopened bottle of chocolate milk. ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-source-of-post-workout-protein-thats-shelf-stable-enough-to-be-left-in-the-car/781324/11 "2017-03-04T01:11:48Z")
Almonds?