Having nutritious snacks to eat during the workday can help you stay energized and productive. Some snacks include nuts, roasted chickpeas, guacamole, and baked veggie chips, among others.
Nuts and dried fruit make for a healthy, non-perishable snack mix.
This combo has a good balance of all three macronutrients, with healthy fats and protein from nuts and carbs from dried fruit. They’re also loaded with fiber, which can help you feel fullTrusted Source between meals.
Guacamole is a delicious dip typically made from avocados, lime, onion, and cilantro. It goes great with bell pepper slices or other raw veggies.
Avocados also contain various nutrients like monounsaturated fats and fiber, which have been associated with increased heart healthTrusted Source.
Brown rice cakes are an excellent, shelf-stable snack for the office. One brown rice cake (9 grams (g)) provides 7 gTrusted Source of carbs and 1.35% of the Daily Value (DV) for fiber for only 35 calories.
The authors of a large 2022 studyTrusted Source found that those who ate more than two avocados per week had a 16% and 21% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, respectively.
Be sure to look for rice cakes that are made with only rice and don’t have unnecessary ingredients.
Roasted chickpeas are a non-perishable snack that’s high in protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals.
A 1/2 cup (76 g) of chickpeas has 5 gTrusted Source of fiber and 5 g of protein. What’s more, due to their nutrient-dense profiles, they have been associated withTrusted Source aiding weight management, improving insulin response, and lowering your risk of certain diseases.
To make roasted chickpeas, drain a can of chickpeas and pat dry. Toss them in olive oil, sea salt, and seasonings of your choice. Bake on a lined baking sheet at 350℉ (180℃) for 40 minutes.
Vacuum-sealed tuna pouches are convenient snacks that don’t need to be drained and can be stored and eaten at work. Tuna is loaded with filling protein and omega-3 fatty acids. These are known to fight inflammationTrusted Source and may decrease your risk of heart disease.
Apple slices with natural peanut butter make for a delicious, satisfying snack.
Peanut butter contributes protein and healthy fats. Apples are high in fiber and water, making them particularly filling. In fact, 1 medium gala apple (100 g) is 86%Trusted Source water and has more than 3.5 g of fiber.
Jerky is a shelf-stable, high protein snack.
One ounce (28 g) of beef jerky has 8 gTrusted Source of protein for 116 calories. It’s also rich in iron, an important mineral for maintaining blood healthTrusted Source and energy levels.
Look for jerky that is uncured, low in sodium, and made from few ingredients. You can also find turkey, chicken, and salmon jerky if you don’t eat red meat.
Granola keeps well in your desk drawer for a quick snack.
It’s best to make your own. Most store-bought varieties are high in added sugars and contain unhealthy vegetable oils that may increase inflammation in your body if consumed in excess.
Combine rolled oats, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, and cashews in a mixture of melted coconut oil and honey. Then, spread the mix out on a lined baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes at low heat.
Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is a convenient work snack that’s higher in protein than regular yogurt.
A 158 g container of plain, low fat Greek yogurt has 16 gTrusted Source of protein for only 95 calories. Plus, it’s loaded with calcium, a mineral that’s important for strong bonesTrusted Source and teeth.
To make this treat even more tasty and filling, add healthy fruits and nuts.
Edamame are immature soybeans that can be enjoyed steamed, cooked, or dried.
They’re loaded with high quality plant-based protein. In fact, snacking on soy protein may help with appetite control and improve body composition. Soy also contains plant compounds called isoflavones. These have been linkedTrusted Source to improved bone health and cognitive function and may lower your risk of certain cancers.
Popcorn is a nutritious snack that’s high in fiber and low in calories. Two cups (16 g) of air-popped popcorn provide 62 caloriesTrusted Source, 12 g of carbs, and 2 g of fiber.
It also contains antioxidants called polyphenols that may help protect againstTrusted Source chronic conditions, such as heart disease.
Cottage cheese and fruit is a healthy snack that’s perfect for work. It’s low in calories but loaded with nutrients. A 1/2 cup (110 g) of low fat cottage cheese has 12 gTrusted Source of protein and 9% of the DV for calcium for only 90 calories.
You can bring pre-portioned servings of cottage cheese to work and top it with fruit, such as sliced berries.
Baked or dehydrated veggie chips are a wholesome, shelf-stable snack. However, some store-bought varieties are made with highly refined vegetable oils, such as canola or soybean oil, and contain unnecessary additives.
Making your own veggie chips allows you to control the ingredients you use.
Thinly slice sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, zucchini, or radishes and brush them with a small amount of olive oil. Bake on a lined baking sheet at 225℉ (110℃) for approximately 2 hours.
Ants on a log are a healthy snack made with celery sticks, peanut butter, and raisins. They contain healthy fats, protein, slow-burning carbs, and fiber that can provide a boost of energy for your workday.
What’s more, 1 large celery stalk (64 g) provides 1 g of fiber and 9 calories. It’s also 95%Trusted Source water, which is what makes it such a low calorie food.
Energy balls are typically made from oats, nut butter, a sweetener, and other add-ins like dried fruit and coconut.
Depending on the ingredients, they’re high in fiber, healthy fats, protein, and several vitamins and minerals.
To make your own, combine:
- 1 cup (80 g) of rolled oats
- 1/2 cup (128 g) of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons (14 g) of ground flax seeds
- 1/4 cup (85 g) of honey
- 1/4 cup (45 g) of dark chocolate chips
- iron
- calcium
- choline
- vitamins A, B6, B12, and D
- 170 calories
- 2 g of fiber
- 13% of the DV for iron
- 14 g of fat, 75% of which is from heart-healthy unsaturated fats
- spinach
- frozen bananas
- a scoop of nut butter
- protein powder
- plant-based or cow’s milk
- Chia pudding
- seeds
- nuts
- nut butters
- coconut
- dried fruit