Snacking on the Job: Top 5 Snacks

When it comes to snacks I try to be as healthy as possible. I wanted to come up with something that was healthy but a bit filling. In the mornings I drink carnation instant breakfast before leaving the house, sometimes I have a muffin with it. I get to work by 9a, by 11a I’m hungry, I don’t go to lunch til 1p. So having a snack is very handy well in my situation, it’s necessary. My office space is a shared space don’t want a rumbling tummy embarrassing me! Ha!

So here are some of the top snacks that I normally take with me to work: 

#1 veggies and dip

Some veggies I eat are carrots, bell peppers (the colorful ones, preferably red), cucumbers, grape tomatoes, & broccoli. I normally dip mine in Ranch dressing or a ranch dip made with the Kraft Ranch flavored powder & sour cream. You can replace sour cream with greek or plain yogurt. 

#2 tuna and whole wheat crackers

I actually used to eat this for lunch a lot but it’s also a good quick and easy snack. I know some people may buy the prepackaged tuna and crackers kit they sell at the stores but I think making your own is the healthier way to go. I use albacore tuna mixed with sweet cubed pickles, mayo, pepper, onions and you can add a egg if you like. I used to when I was younger but since I was mostly eating the tuna at work I didn’t add the egg. After I started eating the albacore tuna I couldn’t go back to the regular tuna because it started to taste too salted to me. Tuna is very good for you. I actually need to start back eating it. (sardines are good for you too but they are a little more fishy than tuna so you may just want to eat those for a snack when you are at home on the weekends or before dinner)

#3 Apples & peanut butter

I love apples and I love peanut butter! Eating the two together is such a treat for me!! I can just sit and eat a big spoonful of peanut butter! So Yummy! The one I eat is Skippy Honey Roasted. I was thinking about switching to the all natural peanut butter but I love my honey roasted! I love the green apples, for some reason when I eat red apples I can’t eat the skin and I know the skin is where all the nutrients are. I can eat the skin on the yellow and green apples. Weird, huh?! Anyhoo, this snack is one that you may want to take to prepare at work. I normally buy a big bag of apples and take one or two with me to work, with a little peanut butter in a small container, and just cut up the apple at work when I get ready to eat it. I used to cut up the apple at home but by the time I got ready to eat it, it had turned brown. I heard that you could rub lemon juice on your apples after you cut them to prevent them from browning. They also sell sliced apples in the grocery store so you could go that route may be more expensive to do it that way but if convenience is more important than money to you…go for it!

#4 Nutella and Whole Grain Bread

I recently discovered the great tasting Nutella. Seen the commercials forever and a day and never tried it until recently when my friend Amber told me how delish it is! I bought some! Oh my goodness gracious!! Chocolate on a spoon!!!! Mouth orgasm!! I love chocolate love it love it love it!! Nutella is made with hazelnuts, skim milk and cocoa. No artificial flavors or ingredients. A healthy version of chocolate that actually taste great! I don’t really like dark chocolate so Nutella has officially become my candy substitute for my chocolate cravings. Instead of going out and buying Reese cups I’ll just eat a little Nutella on a spoon….maybe mix it with a little peanut butter. Now if you have access to a toaster at your job then you can toast some whole grain, or wheat bread, spread some Nutella on it like you see in the commercials. If you don’t want to use bread then try whole wheat crackers. Or you could slap some Nutella on some apples!! Have your own candy apple as a nice treat!

#5 granola bars

Granola bars are quick and easy to carry with you to work or when you’re just on the go and you need something quick and convenient. Now as far as being a healthy option granola bars are prepackaged in the stores so there are some addictives that you may be able to avoid if you made your own from scratch. I actually tried that one time….needless to say…it was a disaster ha! But I’m sure some of you are much better bakes and cooks so go for it!

Homemade Granola Bar Recipe:

Chewy Granola Bars

"Extra chewy granola bars. You can make them your own by picking different ingredients to add in! 

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups rolled oats 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup honey 1/3 cup packed brown sugar 2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2.	In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 2 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3.	Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2010 Allrecipes.com

Well I hope these ideas help you stay away from the chips, cheese-its, or cookies and cakes! If you don’t like any of these options then you can always shoot for the oldie but goodie…..POPCORN!!! Just pop a bag in the microwave and that should fill you up til lunch or dinner! Try to get the ones with the least amount of sodium and butter though!! If you have other suggestions please share!!

Stay Blessed!!!