Preparing Work Snacks - Is it Possible to Snack Healthy?
If you’re like me, you’re constantly snacking. I don’t know if it’s because I eat small meals (doubtful), or some quirk of my genes, or something psychological, I can never stop snacking.
And the worst part about it all is that the easiest snacks to grab are usually the ones from the vending machine. You know, chips, granola bars, and candy. But is there a better way? And what about when you’re not at home where you have the privilege of a fridge or a microwave?
First things first, can snacking be healthy? According to St. Luke’s Health, the answer is yes. If you’re hungry, snacking between meals might be necessary! Some people need the extra nutrients, especially if they have a physically demanding job or exercise a lot. Snacking can also help keep your mood stable and stop you from “overeating at your next meal,” something I never considered.
According to experts there are two things to consider when snacking, portion and nutrient quality. Which might sound obvious, but if you snack while working, you might be participating in what’s known as “mindless snacking.” There is also a chance that you’re eating as an emotional response. Stress, anger, and boredom can all make someone turn to food. It’s important to look at what’s motivating you to eat, what you’re doing when you’re eating, and obviously what you’re putting in front of yourself.
If you’re eating for a “bad” reason, then that is unhealthy snacking, and you should do your best to wait and see if your stomach is actually grumbling or if you are just not in the right headspace.
So, once you’re sure you’re actually hungry, what should you be eating? It obviously depends on where you are and what you can carry around with you. Nutrient dense foods like raw fruits/veggies, nuts, and yogurt are all great options, but it’s not like you can keep Yoplait in your back pocket or a banana in your desk drawer for emergencies.
If you find yourself always stocking up when you pass a candy bowl, consider bananas, oranges, apples, and other fruit that is easy to travel with. If you want the satisfying crunch of a chip, could you settle for a bag of baby carrots? There are also yogurt chips, raisins, and other healthy options. Just make sure you’re not eating high sodium or oily foods as these are linked with poor heart health.
The best way to make snacking easy is to make sure you have these better alternatives on hand and maybe even easier to reach than the unhealthy options.
Making your own Healthy Snacks
A smart way to save money and to avoid unhealthy preservatives is to make your own snacks. For example, you can make your own guacamole and eat it with sliced bell pepper or air fried zucchini chips. You could make your own trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, and seeds. One of my favorites is apples and peanut/sun butter (just make sure you’re getting the sugar free kind!), trust me, the sugar in the apples makes up for it. Other great options are popcorn, cottage cheese, yogurt and fruit, and oatmeal! Hummus, baba ghanouj, and salsa are all great ways to elevate a vegetable as a snack.
A great tip is to prepare these weekly and set them aside in portion-controlled Tupperware or reusable bags. That way you can just grab them on your way to work or from your desk.
For Further Reading
Here are some sources we drew from when drawing up this article. As always, talk to your doctor when making big health choices!
Is Snacking Healthy? - Research Paper
Healthy Snack Ideas - Healthline List article on Snacks with Recipes
What is a snack and why do we snack? – Research Paper on Snacking
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