The key to healthy eating is to make sure we eat several meals and snacks throughout the day. This ensures our metabolism is going strong and our blood sugar and energy levels remain stable, preventing us from overeating.
We usually eat lunch around noon, which means by about 3 or 4pm we are ready for a SNACK. If you are home, it is fairly easy to grab a healthy snack, but what about at the office? This is actually easier to do than you think. The most important things to keep in mind when selecting a snack is to make sure it contains protein, fiber, healthy fats and whole grains.
Below are some healthy ideas for office snacks, which can be stored in your desk drawer or mini-fridge.
Desk Drawer Snacks
Fresh fruit (apples, grapes, oranges, and bananas are good choices)
Trail Mix (nuts, seeds, raisins or goji berries)
Nuts (almonds or cashews)
Roasted Edamame (soybeans)-Whole grain crackers
Instant oatmeal
Granola bars
Air-popped popcorn (100 calorie bags are easy to find in supermarkets)
Single serving of Baked or Reduced-Fat Chips
Mini-Fridge Snacks
Plain Yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Nut butter (peanut or almond)
Hard-boiled eggs
Mini light cheeses
Cut-up vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, celery, peppers)
Hummus
Having these snacks readily available at your office will really help you from seeking “unhealthy alternatives” to satisfy your hunger--you know, the ones that might come from a vending machine or fast-food chain
Here’s to healthy snacking!
What are some of your favorite healthy snacks?
I love mixing greek yogurt with some fruit, like an orange. The protein in the yogurt fills me up and the sweetness of the fruit takes care of any sugar craving I might have!
I keep oatmeal in the desk and for times when I feel I need something really sweet I have hard candy instead of a candy bar.
I always keep snacks in my car, healthy ones of course. I make sure they are there so whenever I am in a place that has unhealthy food or snacks, I can not give the excuse saying " I was really hungry, I couldn't wait." But instead just go to my car and grab a snack. You always feel so good after you did the 'right' thing.
I always love taking snack bars, special K bars, and Beef jerky with me to work.
i sometimes bring a little tuppa of grape tomatoes to munch on when i am feeling the grumble :) very refreshing
Beef jerky
Frozen bananas, apple slices with thinly sliced cheese or dipped in just a tiny bit of organic peanut butter.
I always have fresh fruit handy and bring yogurt, cottage cheese and tuna, instant oatmeal, or even some Lean Cuisine meals to work to have on hand for when I am hungry!
Chocolate Pudding