Eating small snacks a few times a day can boost your energy level and help you maintain focus throughout a busy workday. Research even shows that people who snack during the day are less likely to overindulge when mealtime rolls around. The key is to avoid vending machine offerings and stick with healthier stuff. Cookies and doughnuts won’t cut it. Sweet treats like these rapidly raise your blood sugar level and drop it just as quickly. That’ll leave you feeling tired and unmotivated. Here are some ideas for healthy office snacks you won’t feel guilty about biting into.
Healthy Office Snacks: Greek Yogurt
Yogurt is a source of “good bacteria” called probiotics that keep your digestive tract healthy and boost immunity against infection. It’s also an excellent source of bone-building calcium. When you select a yogurt for snacking, choose plain Greek yogurt, and flavor it yourself with pureed fruit – or enjoy it with fresh berries. Greek yogurt has more protein and fewer carbohydrates than traditional yogurt, although it’s lower in calcium than traditional yogurt. The added protein helps to ease hunger and stabilize your blood sugar so you’ll stay productive the rest of the day.
Office Snacks: Nuts
Make your own 100-calorie snack packs using your favorite nuts. Nuts of all kinds are a healthy way to add some crunch to your day. They’re lower in carbs than pretzels and popcorn and a good source of fiber and heart-healthy, monounsaturated fats. Some studies show that people who snack on nuts are less likely to gain weight over time. It seems that not all of the healthy fats in nuts are absorbed, so you’re getting “free” calories when you munch on them. Who wouldn’t want that?
Office Snacks: Get Creative with Celery
Celery is ultra-low in calories and contains compounds called phthalides that relax blood vessels and help to lower blood pressure. It’s also a good source of vitamins K, A and C, and the mineral potassium. Eating celery alone is a bit boring, but you can make it more flavorful by spreading it with hummus or almond butter for a fiber and protein-rich snack. Bring along a container of yogurt-based dip to dip celery into for a mid-afternoon snack or fill a sprig with chicken salad made with low-fat mayo for a high-protein snack.
Healthy Office Snacks: String Cheese
Most cheese is high in fat, but string cheese is an exception. It’s a lower fat version of mozzarella cheese. In addition to being filling, a single serving contains almost 250 milligrams of bone-building calcium, a mineral most women don’t get enough of. Buy it in individual packs so you can open one up and eat it when the urge to check out the vending machine strikes.
Office Snacks: Fruit Salad
Chop up your favorite fruits and make a fruit salad to carry to work. Fruit is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant vitamin that keeps your immune system healthy. Combine that with the fact that fruit is full of tummy-filling fiber and you’ll see why it’s a better choice than a bag of chips. Add chopped fruit to a container of Greek yogurt and sprinkle with cracked nuts for a healthy and filling office treat or a quick breakfast if you didn’t have time to eat before leaving home.
Healthy Office Snacks: The Bottom Line?
Snacking is okay, but choose your snacks wisely. Try these healthier snack options when the urge to munch on something strikes.
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