Office life can be busy and hectic, very often stress is inevitable. We find ourselves skipping meals to meet deadlines and grabbing the most convenient snacks and energy drinks to get us through the day. Long hours and commutes to and from work often mean our nutrition is not the priority. People end up rushing to the vending machine in between meetings to boost sugar levels. This may temporarily increase your energy but will have negative effects on long-term health. However, these 10 easy healthy snacks provide adequate energy levels for you to get through the day and maintain focus.
The most important thing we can do is fuel our bodies with wholesome foods to give us that energy that we need to function through the day. MOST importantly, we should be eating and drinking the foods and beverages that will improve concentration and focus so our days are as productive as they possibly can be! Eating healthy at the office should be a workplace team effort. Try removing the chips, candy, unhealthy “energy-bars” and highly- caffeinated drinks from the staff kitchen so everybody can work together towards making work a healthier environment overall.
Keep Reading for 10 Easy Healthy Office Snack Ideas…..
10 Simple Office Snacks
- Chopped Apples or Pears with Nut Butter
Use any nut butter with the LEAST amount of ingredients as possible, and be aware of added honey or salt. These have a long shelf-life so ideal for any office kitchen!
- Unsalted Nuts- Almonds/ Cashews/ Hazelnuts/Pecans
Serving size- a handful the size of the palm of your hand). Keep large jars in the office kitchen. In addition, nuts are high in fiber, protein, and mono-unsaturated fats- Ideal for heart health!
- Fresh Berries- Strawberries/ Raspberries / Blueberries
Can be stored in the Refrigerator.
- Wholegrain Unsalted Rice Cakes/ Corn Cakes.
These can be eaten on their own or with toppings such as cottage cheese/ nut butter.
- Skinny Popcorn/ Any Healthy Popcorn Brand
Be sure to check the ingredients, there should be no added sugar, no butter added. Also, try to choose low sodium brands. A cup of popcorn is an easy way to curb cravings and a much better alternative to processed and artificial potato chips.
- Bags of Mandarin Oranges/ Pears/ Peaches or a Bunch of Bananas
Any fruit that is in season and eat conveniently. Providing a range of vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals!
- Chopped Baby Carrots or Veggie Sticks, Celery/ Cucumber/ Peppers
These snacks can be eaten with hummus, there are a wide variety of flavors available in stores. In addition, carrots are high in the antioxidant Beta-Carotene! Vegetables are high in fiber and low in calories- meaning they keep you full for longer without having negative effects on weight gain!
- Hydration is Key:
Buy water fountains or store water jugs in the fridge so cool water is always available for staff. Moreover, try infusing water with different fruit combinations to add some extra flavor!
- Low-fat Greek Yoghurts
Choose brands with the least amount of sugar possible. These are high in protein and calcium- good for muscle and bone health.
- Dried Fruits
Be conscious of the serving size as these can be quite high in sugar. Also, a very useful high-energy snack.
The Bottom Line
To summarize, working 9-5 to make a living shouldn’t mean sacrificing your health. We are hearing more and more about the negative effects that office life can have on health with some headlines blaming office life for this country’s “expanding waistlines”. Thus, engaging in healthy behaviors in work will improve mood and a happy staff is imperative in any work environment!
While there are many approaches that can be taken to improve health in the workplace, one of these 10 easy healthy snacks is a good place to start.
At Lorraine Kearney Nutrition, we offer Corporate Wellness Events to cater to all office lifestyles.
Email directly: lorraine@lorrainekearneynutrition.com to find out more. Do your employees need some motivation to get healthy? Do you need a list of food and nutrition ideas to improve concentration and productivity in the workplace? Sometimes a basic breakdown and education session in nutrition is the answer. Furthermore, we offer all of the above. Contact for more info on Corporate Wellness Packages.
