Given that my husband is a big-time snacker, I’m always on the hunt for healthy snacks he can take to the office. The demand for snacks cranks up when his work does and he’s burning the midnight oil. Often that means reaching for whatever happens to be stashed at his workplace kitchen, which isn’t always the healthiest bet. Recently, when he was facing a two-week stretch of overtime, he asked if I’d help him up his snacking game. With a bit of research, I came up with 9 healthy snacks for work. It’s been helping him, so maybe it will help you, too.
Snacks to Take to Work
In looking for work snacks that would qualify, we established the following criteria:
- Easy to assemble
- Not highly perishable (some refrigerated items were fair game)
- Wholesome and not super processed
- Deliver some staying power
My plan was to move beyond standard fare of crunchy, all carb eats and include more nutrient-dense options, such as fruits and vegetables, and foods rich in protein and healthy fats. Perusing the aisles of my local market, I came up with the following:
9 Healthy Snacks for Work
1. Apples and Nut Butter
Provides the nutrients and fiber of fruit along with the healthy fats, protein, and staying power of peanuts and nuts. These single-serve pouches mean you can keep them at your desk, no refrigeration required.
2. Low-Sugar Yogurt
Yogurt is a known source of calcium and protein, but is often high in added sugar. Choosing a lower-sugar brand, such as Siggi’s, or opting for plain yogurt, is a good way to go.
3. Carrots and Cheese
A favorite snack combination for my kids, I figured it would go over well with their dad, too. The carrots are a low-cal, high-nutrient choice and the cheese provides calcium and protein and makes this snack more satisfying than carrots alone.
4. Spicy Edamame
If you’re going to reach for something spicy at work, better it be hot edamame than hot Cheetos. These spicy soy beans are a protein-rich choice that pack a better nutrient punch than typical crunchy snack foods.
5. Organic Ramen
Though it doesn’t provide much on the protein front, organic ramen (which means it’s not loaded with MSG) is a comforting option when there’s no time to run out for lunch.
6. DIY Trail Mix
Raiding the bulk bins of the market means you can tailor your trail mix using the goodies you like best, and avoid the ones that aren’t so good for you. An emphasis on nuts and seeds is a good way to go as long as you don’t down the whole jar in a single sitting (they are certainly healthy, but high in calories too)
7. Hummus and Crackers
Single-serve hummus helps with portion control and makes snacking easy. I have a crush on the hummus flavors put out by the Better Bean Company. Paired with whole grain crackers, it’s a wholesome and filling snack.
8. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is hardly the sexiest snack in the pantry (which is good, since we don’t want things at the office to be too sexy anyway). This steel cut oatmeal is high in fiber with a low glycemic index, which means it will stick with you for the long haul.
9. Spiced Chick Peas
Another snack that meets the craving for crunch and spice, but with a generous dose of fiber and protein.
