Staying healthy when you are at the office can be exceptionally challenging. Workers are haunted by vending machines, coffee carts, and confectionary platters that tend to pop up around special occasions. Sugar and fat follow us everywhere, including to the office, and the immediate satisfaction can have long-term effects on your overall health. Don’t fall victim to the office junk food plague; pack the right snack for a healthier day.

 

Things to Consider When Packing Snacks

When you are shopping for or packing snacks for the office, keep the following tips in mind:

• Consider all of the cravings that may arise throughout the day: sweet, salty, creamy and crunchy.
• Choose high-protein foods to keep you satisfied.
• Always pack water to keep you hydrated and away from the soda or coffee machines.
• If it says fruit, make sure it actually has fruit and not just fruit-flavored sugar
• Pay attention to the calories and serving sizes.

 

5 Healthy Snacks for the Office

Here’s the thing: you want variety so that you are not bored with your snack by lunchtime. Mix it up without loading up on calories.

1. Protein pack

Make small containers that contain a handful of nuts, dried or fresh fruit, and a small 1-inch cube of your favorite white cheese.

1. Yogurt and toppings

Pack Greek yogurt and your favorite topping. To keep it interesting every day, change up the toppings throughout the week: fresh fruit, honey, granola, cinnamon, dark chocolate shavings, peanut butter, etc…

1. Fudge bar

Yes, you can fit chocolate into your snacking schedule, and without all the guilt that is supposed to accompany sweets. When you are at the store, pickup a box of sugar-free, natural fudge bars. When you don’t want to reach for a rice cake, head for the freezer and open a sweet treat instead. A fudge bar has minimal calories and zero guilt.

1. Low-fat chocolate pudding with a banana

Again, change up your schedule so you don’t get bored, and chocolate pudding is always a good way to go. Pack a low-fat chocolate pudding and a fresh banana. When you get a hankering for sweets, or the cookie tray opens its jaws in the break room, reach for the pudding and toss it with fresh banana slices.

1. Apple slices and almond butter or hazelnut spread

You can’t go wrong with an apple. There are so many different varieties that it is hard not to find one you like. Apples are food superstars and they have the ability to keep you fuller longer. Pre-slice your apple before work and pack it with a small container of almond butter or a hazelnut spread. If you aren’t in to dipping, slice your apple and put it in a Ziploc bag with a tablespoon of cinnamon. Shake the bag so that the slices are coated in the decadent spice. Use regular cinnamon, not a cinnamon-sugar mix.

 

Do you have healthy snack options at YOUR hotel? What’s your favorite workday snack? 

Let us know in the comments below!