At times, it seems like the only way to liven up the workday is with a good snack. You feel as if you need to nibble on something tasty soon or else you’ll go mad with boredom. Other days you’re so busy that you just need some sort of sustenance to get you through to the end of the day. At either extreme, many people find themselves resorting to the less-than-healthy snacks in the vending machine.
These pre-packaged snacks are often full of strange additives and tend to leave people still feeling hungry. When 20% of people visit restaurants for meals at least once a week, it’s no wonder we’re always hungry for snacks. The saturated fats in these snacks stick around in your body, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Trying to compensate with more vending machine snacks can lead unsuspecting people to number among the one in the three adults who are considered obese. Even if you don’t gain weight, you may be left feeling greasy or sleepy after eating these snacks that are practically void of nutrition.
If you’re tired of processed bags of crisps and indulgent sweets, its high-time to try out some strategies for healthier snacking. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips that will keep your snacking more sustainable while at the workplace.
Just as many people have turned to meal planning in order to eat healthier lunches and dinners, you can do the same with your weekly snacks. On Sunday night, put your snacks in serving-size bags or containers. This will make it extremely easy to grab a few of them as you head out of the front door in the morning.
This strategy is even helpful for anyone who works from home. In fact, it may be even more helpful as those who work where they live likely have more tempting snacks at their fingertips. Whether you’re among the 69% of entrepreneurs who are starting their businesses at home and are there temporarily or you work as a freelancer and are always in your home office, having these pre-portioned bites to eat can prevent excessive snacking. Try making up individual containers of juicy cantaloupe and watermelon or cut up some celery sticks for a crunchy snack.
Any form of protein is effective in keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Peanut butter is a great form of protein that also has an impressive snack diversity. You can use it as a dip for celery sticks or slices of apples. It also goes very well with rolled oats when making oatmeal in the morning.
If you prefer something you can just pop in your mouth, try almonds. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that just 1.5 ounces of almonds, which equals about 35 nuts, helped to suppress hunger between meals when eaten as a snack every day for four weeks. Like all nuts, almonds are full of protein, fiber, and healthy unsaturated fats. All of these elements contribute to the feeling of a full stomach.
Accompany your small snack with a glass of water or a mug of decaffeinated tea. Not only do liquids help you feel full, but research has suggested that proper hydration increases your body’s metabolism. As energy drinks can result in a 3.1% loss of tooth enamel and sports drinks can lead to a 1.5% loss, be sure to turn to the simpler drinks to quench your thirst. Go with the aforementioned water or tea, or turn to all-natural juices for a refreshing mid-day drink.
No matter what strategy you choose for smart snacking, remember to bring snacks that won’t spoil quickly. You want to bring snacks that will stay good as they sit in your desk drawer. This way, you can have a healthy bite to eat without interrupting your workflow. While 86% of companies with employee recognition programs point to an increase in worker happiness, having a full belly goes a long way in the happiness of any human. Never downplay hunger that you feel while at work and, instead, put some of these snacking tips to good use.