Sadly, donuts are not one of the recommended healthy desk snacks. Photo / Getty
Sadly, donuts are not one of the recommended healthy desk snacks. Photo / Getty
You eat a big breakfast and even a satisfying lunch, but it never fails that by 3pm you're famished. Though the office vending machine, with all of its not-so-healthy options, may be good for a quick fix, a better long-term solution would be to stash away a few healthy snacks at your desk. But which ones?
"Focus on the kinds of snacks that are filling, with adequate amounts of protein, fiber and that are nutrient dense, in that they provide a lot of vitamins and minerals that are low in calories," said Lisa M. Davis, chief nutrition officer of Terra's Kitchen healthy food delivery service in the US.
There are many options that fit those parameters, so to narrow the field Davis and other experts shared some of their top choices.
Plant-based chips
This is a great alternative to your garden-variety fried chips. Yes, those greasy little pieces of heaven are delicious, but all of the excess salt, fat and sugar are no good. Instead, Davis recommends grain-free tortilla chips.
"It's cool because people who are gluten-free, vegan or following a paleo diet could munch on these," Davis said. "They're crispy, tasty and go great with pico de gallo, salsa or just on their own."
Jica Chips, which are made from the Mexican root vegetable jicama, are another plant-based snack that is high in fiber and vitamin C, while coconut chips provide as much fiber and less sugar than a medium-sized apple. There are also a variety of roasted bean chips on the market offering a balanced mix of protein and fiber to keep you feeling full, Davis said.
Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. Photo / Getty
If you have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate is one of the healthiest ways to satisfy a midday craving. Studies have shown it can decrease blood pressure and reduce the risk of death from a heart attack.
"Dark chocolate contains less added sugar than milk [chocolate] and it's also higher in antioxidants thanks to the cocoa," said Nichola Whitehead, a registered dietitian and a British food blogger.
This low-calorie option is chock full of fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C. Red bell peppers are also pretty portable once you slice them up and put them into a resealable bag, but it's best to keep this office snack refrigerated.
"Most veggies can taste bitter or even a bit sour, but I love starting people off with red bell peppers because they're very sweet," said Ilana Muhlstein, a registered dietitian and nutritionist for Explore Cuisine, a company that makes gluten-free pastas and soups. "Not only do red bell peppers have more vitamin C than oranges, they are also low in sugar."
Dried fruit
Eating dried apricots with almonds offers a good mix of fiber and healthy unsaturated fats, Whitehead said.
"The fiber from the apricots helps to keep our digestive systems moving, and healthy fats from the almonds help to keep our hearts healthy," she said.
But be mindful of just how much of this sweet and savory snack you eat. An ounce of almonds, or 23 pieces, is about 163 calories, while six pieces of dried apricots has 100 calories, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department.
You can also opt for freeze-dried fruit packs by Crispy Green that come in seven varieties. There are no preservatives or added sugar, and all fruits are 55 calories or less per serving.
Granola
Try adding low-fat yoghurt to your granola. Photo / Getty
Selecting the right granola can get a little tricky. Some products on the market are full of added sugar that can easily derail your healthy diet.
Davis recommends looking for seed-based options rather than mixes that use oats.
She also suggests either eating the granola by itself or adding a bit of it to your favourite low-fat yoghurt.
Hummus and carrots
Like chips and salsa, carrots and hummus are a perfect match.
"Hummus is made from chickpeas, which are a great source of both fiber and protein to keep us fuller for longer, while carrots are not only rich in fiber but vitamin A, too, which is essential for healthy vision," Whitehead said.
You can pack a zip-top bag full of baby carrots with your lunch, and if you have access to a refrigerator at work, keep a small container of hummus stored for daily use.
