Do you ever wonder what to eat at work? Or are you bored with what you normally bring or tired of relying on the vending machine to fuel your tank during the day? If you have physical health goals that include eating well, it’s important to pack healthy snacks for work.
Nuts
Individual servings of pistachios, walnuts, or any nut blend are healthy snacks for work. Each nut provides different nutrients for your body, so mix them up. Create your own packs if you can’t find your favorite variety in single serve packs by sorting them into small, reusable containers. If you have a dedicated workspace, it’s okay to keep a large package near your desk, too. Just make sure you’re not tempted to graze during the day because nuts are calorie dense. Stick to one palm sized serving 1-2 times each day.
Build your own trail mix
If you are tired of paying for single-serving options, or don’t like the mixes you find, get creative with trail mix. Blend your favorite combination of nuts, seeds, and some dried fruit for another winner in the healthy snacks for work category. Add some dark chocolate bits (ideally at least 70% dark) for a sweet punch and dose of antioxidants. Building your own trail mix helps to reduce the sugar found in traditional pre-packaged options. Avoid the raisins or sweetened cranberries if you can.
Beef or cheese sticks
Protein-based snacks are a great way to keep you energized when you’re at work. Beef or turkey sticks don’t need refrigeration and are easy to take with you. Costco, Sam’s Club, and other warehouse stores offer a variety of options to keep these healthy snacks for work in rotation. Read the ingredients list and choose the brands with minimal additives. If you don’t have a fridge at work, you can freeze cheese sticks at home and then eat them during the day once they’ve thawed.
Nut butters
Packs of peanut butter or almond butter are one of the healthy snacks for work that provide a good dose of healthy fat. Select varieties that are natural and lower in sugar. The bonus with this treat is that it can be used as a dip for an apple or celery sticks. If you’d prefer a value friendly option, buy a traditional size jar of your favorite natural nut butter and keep it in the fridge if you have one. If you find your blood sugar dip during the day, a single spoon full can do the trick to energize you quickly.
Fruits & veggies
Apples, oranges, peaches, and bananas are just a few of the healthy snacks for work. Wash up a few grapes or cherries, or dice a watermelon and toss it in your work bag. These easy to eat fruits are great when paired with a protein or healthy fat like jerky or nut butter. Carrots, celery, cucumbers, peapods, and raw green beans are also healthy snacks for work. Buy pre-prepped varieties that are ready to go or spend 15 minutes one day each week packaging up these plant-based treats.
Other protein options
Hard-boiled eggs, cheese sticks, and full-fat, low sugar greek yogurt are healthy snacks for work that pack a protein punch. While many protein bars are essentially candy bars, there are a few healthy choices. Opt for KIND bars, Larabars, Rx Bars or others that have 5 grams of sugar or less. Not all flavors of these brands fit the bill, so make sure to read the label to make the best choice.
What healthy snacks for work do you love? We’d love to hear your favorites!
