It doesn’t matter whether you work in an office, in a factory, or at a building site, it’s difficult to keep healthy snacks that keep you full until your next meal. You can avoid the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slump by avoiding the vending machine and taking your own. It should contain protein, fat, or fiber. A handful of M&Ms may satisfy you for a few minutes, but that feeling of energy quickly wears off, leaving you even more exhausted. That’s because candy is full of sugar. Sugar spikes your glucose level and just as quickly drops it even lower.
Choose a carbohydrate and protein snack.
You can save money and tame your hunger at the same time by choosing fruit and vegetables with peanut butter as a dip. Small one-ounce plastic condiment cups with lids hold two tablespoons of peanut butter. These are inexpensive and you can purchase them online for pennies each. Two tablespoons are enough for a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Take celery or sliced apples in a separate plastic bag. Before you pack the apples, toss the slices in a solution that’s 50% water and 50% lemon juice to help prevent browning. Then, dip half your apple slices or celery sticks in the peanut butter for a tasty treat with fiber, protein, and fat that’s filling, and carbs that give you instant energy.
Make trail mix and pack it in individual serving sizes.
You don’t need refrigeration or even a place to store your snack. If you make individual serving-size packets of trail mix, you can carry it in your pocket. Include nuts, seeds, or dried fruit without added sweeteners, and even add cereal. Add dark chocolate chips for more sweetness. Increase the volume and fiber while cutting the calories by tossing in air-popped popcorn. Add extra flavor with seasonings.
Make your microwave, air-popped, or stove-top popcorn.
If you have a microwave at your workplace, you don’t need packaged microwave popcorn for a low-calorie treat, just a microwave bowl with a loose-fitting lid. Sprinkle it with popcorn seasoning or use Parmesan grated cheese. You can make a batch at home, season it, and put it in individual paper sandwich bags for snacking at work.
- Take energy balls made with three ingredients, toasted oats or wheat germ, natural peanut butter made only from peanuts, and a tad of honey or maple syrup to sweeten. Mix the peanut butter and maple syrup first then add enough dry ingredients to make it firm. Roll in balls.
- If you have a refrigerator or good cooler, make a healthy parfait. Layer plain Greek yogurt, nuts, and fruit in a half-pint Mason jar. Put the lid on, and it’s ready to travel.
- Individual serving sizes of fruit packed in its own juice are available. If you’re in a hurry, it’s quick, but it isn’t as filling as a snack with protein. Read the label to make sure there is no added sugar.
- When you’re really in a hurry and want an easy snack that will fill you up that’s also nutritious, take vacuum-sealed tun pouches or individual tuna servings. A hard-boiled egg is also a good option.
For more information, contact us today at Wellness On A Dime Coaching