It's normal to feel hungry between breakfast and lunch or lunch and dinner, which can lead to an energy slump or distraction from your work. Your work place may have a vending machine filled with fatty, salty or sweet temptations with low nutritional value. To avoid falling victim to these calorie-laden foods, bring your own nutritious snacks from home instead. You can combat the urge for a vending-machine snack that is low in nutrition by taking a little time to create your own healthy snack options.
Natural Snacks
Some of the best snacks come directly from nature. Pack yourself an apple, banana, pear or navel orange in the morning for a nutritional punch when hunger strikes. Alternatively, place a bunch of seedless grapes or a cup of blueberries in a sturdy container and keep it ready for your midday slump. For a boost of calcium, try a carton of skim milk or a 1 oz. cube of Swiss cheese. For serious munchies, pack a container of cherry tomatoes, carrot wedges and broccoli florets; you can crunch away without worry about excess calories.
On-Hand Snacks
You'll have to pack snacks that can spoil the same day you'll be eating them, but you can bring other snacks to work and let them keep until you need them. For a durable snack that can live in your desk for a few weeks, consider a bag of almonds or trail mix that contains only dried fruit, nuts and seeds. Choose a granola bar that is crunchy rather than soft and contains at least 2 g of fiber while staying below 200 calories. You can also store a bag of whole grain crackers or a carton of raisins for those midday hunger pangs. If you find yourself slightly hungry most days, consider keeping a bottle of water to which you add a packet of calorie-free drink additive to quench your appetite.
Special Creations
Packing a fun, healthy snack can give you something to look forward to on a mundane day. Try making an energy wrap by adding turkey, cheddar cheese, cucumber slices and light ranch dressing to a whole grain tortilla. Another fun treat is low-fat cottage cheese blended with fresh or frozen blackberries, a teaspoon of coconut and a handful of pecans. For a substantial snack, bring a sandwich containing 1 tbsp. of apple butter slathered between 2 slices of whole grain raisin bread.
Holiday Snacks
Variety not only gives you better nutrition, but it can keep your thoughts off the honey bun lurking in the vending machine across the hall. Embrace the holidays by making yourself special snacks for the first day of spring, Halloween, Thanksgiving or any other day you want to celebrate. Kick off spring with a festive container containing a halved boiled egg, macadamia nuts and maraschino cherries. Celebrate Halloween by topping a thin slice of pumpkin bread with 2 tbsp. of dark chocolate chunks and crushed frozen strawberries. Spice up your Thanksgiving by microwaving some apple cider you've flavored with cinnamon and allspice. With a little ingenuity, you can turn any day into a holiday, and thus, the appropriate time for a fun, healthy holiday snack.
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