Let’s face it; staying fit is one of the hardest things to achieve especially when you really love to eat. And that sweet tooth usually craves for donut or ice cream, right? We all know there are healthier options but most of the time those choices are more expensive and hard to find. So here are 5 snacks you can munch on. You can even prepare some of these by yourself!
1. Dark Chocolate
Most people would think that chocolate is bad, well think again. According to nutrition experts, dark chocolate is good for you when taken in moderation. Unlike milk chocolate which is loaded with sugar, dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants. Studies also show that it may also improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. So how “moderate” should you eat dark chocolate for snacks? It all depends on what benefits of the dark chocolate you want to acquire. Control and discipline is the key, and one helpful tip is to stack your dark chocolates into bite-sized pieces in zip lock bags or air tight containers. Just make sure it is 70% or more dark, meaning, less the sugar.
2. Peanut Butter Balls
Here’s an upgraded version of your dark chocolate. Just add some no-sugar-added peanut butter or almond butter, and flax seeds. Mix them all together and stack them into air tight containers. The proportion of the ingredients depends on how crunchy, or how creamy you want your peanut butter balls to be. Kirstin Kirkpatrick, R.D. says “they taste really good and will keep you full”. Crunchy with a hint of sweetness, this snack surely fills your tummy because of the protein in it.
3. Dried fruit
Talking about grab-to-go snacks, dried fruit is certainly on our list. Although fresh fruit is also a good snack, storing them at your office desk for a long time is not a good option. Just remember to choose the brand with less to no sugar content. You might also want to try frozen bananas. They taste like ice cream. This frozen snack is perfect for those who feel dozy in the afternoon, as cold food helps you stay awake.
4. Popcorn
Popcorn is great in the movie theater. But it’s also perfect for that on the desk snack. Popcorn is airy and rich in fiber. A cup or two is the most ideal, though. And just remember to stay away from sweet flavors or caramel variants and you’d be good to go.
5. Trail Mix
Trail Mix is a popular grab-to-go snack for hikers. Since it is a dry snack, it can be stored for a long time; thus, making it to our list of healthy office desk snacks. Here’s a recipe from EatingWell magazine. (Note that you can explore and try putting in your favorite dried fruits and nuts.)
Trail Mix recipe:
- ½ ounce almonds
- ¼ ounce unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
- ¼ ounce dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp chopped pitted dates
- 1 ½ teaspoons chocolate chips
Power up your life with energy and eat whole food. Eating clean, real foods that are close to nature is the best to fuel your body,” says nutrition expert Mitzi Dulan. So you go ahead and try out these healthy office desk snacks!