It can be really hard to ensure you have healthy snacks to have on hand when working from home because your entire kitchen is RIGHT THERE. You know you’ve got all kinds of tasty goodness in there… unless you’ve got the self-control not to buy it!
As a mom of two young children, it’s impossible for me to not have candy at home. So I have to take a different approach when it comes to ensuring I have healthy snacks on hand when I’m working from home. Which is all of the time now I’m back to work 5 days a week.
First of all, let’s cover some basics because everyone seems to have a different opinion on what is and isn’t a healthy snack.
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What is a healthy snack?
A healthy snack is ideally low in calories but high in nutrients. We’re not talking about 10 calories here but if we can keep it under 200 calories then that’s a good place to start.
Next, let’s look at what’s in the snack.
I used to be obsessed with Fiber One’s 70-calorie brownies years ago (not going to lie, these will still get you out of a sticky situation if you need them to) but now I realize there wasn’t a single good thing in those snack bars, they just tasted good and were under 100 calories. So they weren’t doing anything to “keep me going” throughout the day and 30 minutes later I’d be hungry again.
In short, a healthy snack should make you feel full, and be relatively low in fat and calories.
My top picks for healthy snacks to have on hand at home when you’re working are:
- Fresh fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Veggies and dip
- Whole grain crackers
- Dark chocolate
Now that you’ve had a look at my complete list, let’s run through all the different ways you can incorporate these foods into your working day and WHY you should be including them!
5 Healthy Snacks To Have On Hand When Working From Home
Before we get into these 5 healthy snacks to have on hand when working from home, let me just clarify that for me personally, these are the best snacks if you want to keep the calories down and improve your productivity at the same time. They’re what I rely on for my desk job weight loss journey and I’m seeing great results.
Take this advice with a grain of salt and adapt it to suit your own tastes but hopefully, it will help to guide you in the right direction!
Fresh fruit
This one is a no-brainer, we all know we should be eating more fruit and that it’s one of the healthiest snacks out there.
To ensure I’m reaching for fruit as a snack throughout my working day, I keep a bowl of fresh fruit in my kitchen, and (because my office is two floors above the kitchen), I will take up a banana when I go to my desk in the morning.
Apples and oranges are also great options that will give you a boost of energy and sugar when you need it most.
Nuts and seeds
A handful of nuts or seeds is a perfect snack to help you stay focused and energized throughout the day. Be mindful that nuts can have a pretty high calorie attached to them so try to pad them out with seeds and dried fruits if you can, just so you’re not eating a huge bag of cashews every day and wondering why you’re not losing weight!
Almonds, peanuts, and pistachios are all great choices that are packed with healthy fats and protein to keep you going.
Veggies and dip
This one is my FAVORITE. I love hummus and veggies.
Although I’ll be the first to admit it’s one of the more time-consuming snacks on this list, so I tend to prep my veggies the night before so I can just grab them out of the refrigerator when I need a snack.
All you have to do is cut up some of your favorite veggies and put them in a container with a healthy dip like hummus or guacamole, it’ll take you less than a minute.
This snack is not only healthy, but it’s also fun to eat and can help you stay on track when you’re feeling tempted by unhealthy snacks.
Whole grain crackers
Whole grain crackers are a great way to satisfy your hunger without overdoing it on calories. Most brands tend to be low in calories anyway but make sure that you choose a variety with no added sugar or salt for the healthiest option.
If you’re feeling adventurous, or especially hungry, you could pair them with some cheese or nut butter for a complete snack… but try not to go too overboard with that cheese!
Dark chocolate
Actually, I lied, THIS is my favorite. I’ve relied on dark chocolate for years to satisfy my sugar cravings while dieting and it’s still one of the best ways for me.
Dark chocolate is a great way to indulge your sweet tooth while still staying on track with your healthy eating goals. Choose a bar with at least 70% cacao for the most benefits and enjoy a few squares when you need a pick-me-up.
The best thing about dark chocolate is you don’t usually want to eat too much of it. A few squares should be all you need, so your calorie consumption will be far less than milk or white chocolate alternatives.
PSST: If you’re feeling really fancy (or hungry), I recommend adding a little nut butter to the top of a square of dark chocolate. My mouth is watering just thinking about this!
The bottom line is that whenever you’re working from home, it’s important to have healthy snacks on hand to help you stay on track. By keeping these five snacks in your kitchen, or by your desk, you’ll be sure to have something healthy to reach for when you need a little boost of energy.
Let me know in the comments if you have any foods to add to this list. I’m always on the lookout for healthy go-to snacks!