When mid-afternoon hunger strikes at work, it can be tempting to head to the vending machine to grab a bag of chips or a pack of cookies. But before you give in to those salt or sugar cravings, remind yourself that what you put into your body at this time is especially critical. You need that extra fuel to refocus, boost energy levels, and maintain productivity, but to do that, you have to choose the right snack. Here are some healthy suggestions!
Trail Mix
A tried-and-true staple, trail mix is an easy snack with the perfect blend of vitamins, antioxidants, protein, and carbohydrates. Create your own with ingredients like dried fruit, nuts, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, coconut flakes, and popcorn. A new blend every so often will keep this snack from going out of style. Pro tip: Portion your trail mix into individual sandwich baggies to avoid eating too much in one sitting!
Dark Chocolate
Because it deserves a second mention, dark chocolate can curb hunger and fulfill that sweet tooth in one shot. Plus, each serving has a good helping of antioxidants. Our suggestion? Purchase individually wrapped bite-size chocolates and have a couple when hunger strikes.
String Cheese
Looking for calcium and protein? Choose string cheese with fresh fruit for a delicious and healthy snack break.
Nut Butter
We are bringing fresh fruit back for round two with nut butter. Nothing beats creamy peanut butter or almond butter spread on an apple, banana, or pear. The fruits are filled with fiber, and nut butters are packed with protein. As a result, you’ll feel full longer and level out your blood sugar. We call that a win-win!
Greek Yogurt
Plain Greek yogurt with a colorful arrangement of berries is a nutritious snack filled with protein and antioxidants. Mix and match sweet and tart berry flavors for the best rendition.
Hummus
Hummus pairs well with any veggie, but we like carrots and cucumbers because of their texture. This plant-based snack has the right proteins and fibers to energize you through the afternoon.