Z. Johnson
If you are on this health journey like me, then you must know how important it is to keep some good healthy snacks around. Whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle, shed some fat or simply stay in shape, snacks are a really important part of our eating schedule. However, when it comes to keeping things simple, yet nutritious and accessible, without being boring, of course, we sometimes feel overwhelmed. Or perhaps, lazy. Also, lack of time is another main reason to not make that extra effort to get some quality snacks for our day. I get you, life is too busy and we barely get to meal prep our main dishes. That’s ok, I got your back! Here I will explain how you can avoid any hassle and nail the right healthy snack choices for work, or for on-the-go.
How do you make good healthy snack choices for work?
Well, the truth is that there are many varieties and tons of easy combinations you can try. The best part is that healthy snacking is not really that complicated. Neither it is that boring as many would think. If you can make healthy delicious lunch boxes to take with you to work, then the same thing you can do with your snacks. Sometimes we don’t put too much attention to the snacks we have in between meals, especially when we are at work. The easiest thing to do, of course, is often grab a cup of coffee with some cookies, or go to the vending machine. Whatever is available to us, is what we usually go for. Trust me, been there, done that.
The reality is that not everywhere we work or go to has healthy options. Most times, the choices are basically the same, or maybe scarce. The good thing is that if you include the snacks in your lunch boxes or get them from home, you will be better off standing that temptation of getting those donuts with coffee every time you have a break. So let’s put things in a simple way and into perspective. I’ll tell you the truth, if I’m in a rush, I’m not stopping to prepare anyting. I’ll just grab what I have in my lunch bag. Therefore, that’s how important it is to make healthy snack choices for work in advance, especially if we are coping with a busy schedule. Here, I will share with you some of the best choices, nutritional value and some tips to make your life easier.
How to make the best healthy snack choices for work
Focus on nutrition value
It’s hard not to fall for those creamy chocolate chip cookies at the vending machine, lol. But, the dangerous part of having snacks like these everytime is that they spike up our blood sugar, increasing our cravings. Oh, especially those days in which there is so much stress and workload going on. So what I always do is keep my lunch box stacked with smart superfood choices that will not only give me tons of quality nutrients, but also keep me full for longer and curb my sugar cravings.
Choose protein snacks
Protein must also be part of your snacks my friends. Foods that are source of protein not only control your sugar cravings, but make you feel satisfied for longer. Plus, protein is key to get leaner, stay in shape and even lose weight. You can find both good animal protein sources for snacks, as well as quality plant-based options. I will mention some examples down below.
High fiber foods make the trick
Eating foods that are packed with fiber is the way to go in order to keep those hunger levels and blood sugar under control. Fiber is super important for maintaining a healthy digestion, it helps you stay in shape, plus it makes you feel full for longer time. Basically keeping fruits and veggies around is one of the easiest solutions. Now, you can also find some healthy packs of high fiber crackers or chips. These would also make great healthy snack choices for work.
Add quality fats
Let’s not be scared of healthy fats folks! A key to successful weight loss and fitness journey, believe it or not, is adding healthy fats. These nutrients also make the good work when it comes down to cutting down on sugar cravings. Quality fats also give our body essential nutrients like omega-3, and others like vitamin E. Plus they give a nice flavour to any snacks we are having. The key is to distribute the amount of fat evenly in our daily meals so that we don’t abuse of the proportions. For the most part, you need to keep foods like these around.
My top 10 healthy snack choices for work
These are just my ride or die snacks, of course, each one is like their own category to itself, therefore you can try millions of combinations among these:
Yogurt or cheese:
Yes, yes, oh hell yes! These are one of my favorite snacks, especially due to how convenient and easy to carry they are. You can easily grab 6 oz or 8 oz yogurt packets into your purse, or in your lunch box. Another option is getting cottage cheese or white cheese cubes. The only downside to these types of foods is that you cannot keep them too many hours without being refrigerated, otherwise you would end up wasting them. But, pretty much, they are very convenient and easy to carry along.
Slices of turkey ham:
You can eat them alone or combine them with high fiber crackers. As well, they go very well in little sandwiches. Another option, instead, would be to use low-fat ham or even tuna fish.
Hard boiled eggs:
You can’t go wrong with eggs! These are very effective as a high quality protein, and they’re sooo filling! You can have one egg alone, or if you prefer, combine it with a fruit or veggie of your choice.
High fiber fruits: Healthy snack choices for work
There are many fruits available. My advice is to go for the ones you love. Some top healthy snack choices for work here are strawberries, blueberries, or other berries, apples, etc. Choose the ones that are in season, as they will have better taste. You will also get more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Veggies:
Here you can get creative. I love to take some carrot and celery chunks with me. They can easily be dipped in cottage cheese, hummus, or a healthy nut butter. Another example is cucumber slices. You’ll be surprised of the amazing taste you can get.
High fiber crackers or chips:
High fiber carbs like crackers or chips can make the trick in nourishing your body with proper vitamins and minerals, plus they’ll keep you fuller than a regular cracker or cookie. There are many options out there, even gluten-free versions. Rice cakes are also great healthy snack choices for work. You can take them anywhere actually, you can even keep packs in your car. A good advice is always to try to eat these combined with some protein food or healthy fat.
Nuts: Great healthy snack choices for work
I love almonds and peanuts! But any other one of your choice works here. Nuts are awesome sources of healthy fats, protein, minerals like magnesium, etc. They are perfect for when you want to keep down those cravings. I like them because they just make wonders when adding them to my yogurt, or eating them along with some fruit.
Almond butter or peanut butter:
Just as whole nuts, healthy nut butters are a good option to take with you in your lunch box. There are many varieties, some of these even come in packets. Make sure, though, that these are quality pure nut butters. Watch out for any sugar added, saturated fat or other artificial ingredients.
Superfood packs:
Now, you can find superfood snacks, which come in handy for on-the-go or for work. A good example are the famous kale chips. Kale is a great superfood packed with fiber, and many nutrients, not to mention that it has a good taste. However, some of these chips may have added salt, so watch out for sodium content if you have blood pressure problems.
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Seeds: Top healthy snack choices for work
To add to your favorite drink or other snack. A good example of seeds you can carry along with you are chia seeds. Chia is one of my favorite superfoods hands down. I can add them to my favorite drink, or coffee. I can also simply combine them with yogurt and make a chia pudding for the day! Does that sound cool to you? I bet yes!
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Some final tips…
Read labels
When going for ready made healthy snacks, especially while grocery shopping, always read the food labels. Check the list of ingredients, for any hidden substances or extra calories. This is especially true for the so-called “low sugar”, “low calorie”, “low fat”, or “light” labeled foods. Some of these foods may be filled with extra ingredients you may not be familiar with. Another thing to watch out is for the extra sodium or hidden sugars that maybe in the package. It’s all about making smart food choices, so reading the labels before you purchase will definitely help you go the right path.
Meal prep your snacks
The best thing you can do is include your snacks in your healthy eating budget. Plan ahead of time, it will save you a headache and money! Plus, you’ll avoid the temptation of grabbing anything you see in the vending machine when you are feeling hangry! Meal prepping your snacks will also help you get organized with your daily meals. One of the best pros of adding your snacks to your eating plan is that you can easily save them in your fridge and food pantry. Trust me, it will make your life so much easier!
A last word…
I save so much when it comes to making healthy snack choices for work. To be honest, these tips have worked for me even when I’m out and about, doing errands or just going on trips. Eating healthy snacks is not complicated at all, there are too many options out there to just not take advantage of great nutrition and flavor! Have you tried any of these snacks or ideas? Let me know in the comments below. Also, share this content with your friends. Happy snacking!
Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.
