Keep these healthy snacks on hand in the office if you’re trying to lose weight

At The Weekly‘s office, we’ve delegated an entire drawer (or two) to snacks. Perfect for when the munchies strike, or when we need a little break in the midst of a crazy day. If you’re like us, you probably have a snack station at your office too, whether it’s in a shared space like the pantry or at your own desk. While the temptation to snack on chips and other unhealthy junk food can be pretty high (here’s looking at all those biscuits and crackers colleagues brought back from their last holiday), they’re not doing your health, or your waistline, any favours.
But you don’t need to toss everything out! Simply add some of these healthier options to your snack repertoire instead – they’re great for weight loss too:
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Besides being good for your brain, a 2015 study found that eating almonds can decrease belly fat, in turn reducing the risk of heart disease. Research has also shown that almonds may also help with curbing appetite, so you feel less peckish. To stimulate fat-burning, it’s recommended to eat about 30 to 35 almonds a day.
Apples are filled with fibre that help you feel fuller for longer, but be sure to eat it with the skin on as that’s where many of the nutrients lie. Buy a few and keep them in the office fridge! Prevent them from turning brown by dipping them in lemon juice, or assemble them back in an “apple” shape and wrap a rubber band around it.
Tip: Sliced apples with peanut butter make for a really tasty combo, but it’s best not to go overboard as peanut butter can be fairly high in calories.
Carrots are naturally very low in calories but high in fibre and nutrients, making them a great weight loss food. Buy some carrots and slice them up in thin sticks for more convenient snacking. You can also opt for baby carrots that don’t require any cutting up!
The keyword here is “unsalted”. The kind you eat at the movie theatres are loaded with calories, butter, salt and sugar that’s definitely a no-no when it comes to dropping the kilos. But popcorn on its own is actually a low-calorie, high-fibre snack! Plus, they’re fun to munch on you’ll feel like you’ve eaten a lot but you really haven’t – it’s just the puffed up quality that makes you think you have.
Another great portable snack to keep at your office desk is a box of high-fibre cereal that you can reseal. A box can last you a couple of weeks to even month, depending on how often you snack from it. Of course, stay away from the sugary ones that are often loaded with way more calories that you need, and stick to the ones with lower sugar content.
These sweet and tiny berries are packed with vitamin C, potassium and – you guessed it – fibre. One serving of blueberries or about half a cup gives you between 40 calories too, so you can pretty much snack on this fruit guilt-free. Keep a box in the fridge (in the middle or bottom shelf) to keep them fresh.
These addictive beans aren’t just a good filler food at Japanese restaurants, they also make a fantastic snack for the office. Not only are they fun to eat (once you pop, you can’t stop!) they’re also rich in a type of antioxidant called kaempferol that studies show causes weight loss, amongst other minerals like magnesium and iron.
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You can easily get your hands on a pack of calcium-rich yoghurt at the supermarket and leave them in the office fridge. A 2015 study found yoghurt can help your body burn more fat and rev up weight loss. But be sure to opt for plain, low-fat (not fat-free) varieties like Greek yoghurt, and add a tiny teaspoon of honey or some fresh fruits if you find it too bland and unappealing.
It’s time to break the taboo: Dark chocolate is good for you. A bar of good quality dark chocolate (at least 70 per cent cacao) enjoyed in small quantities may be able to boost metabolism, according to a study by Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. Loaded with flavanols, dark chocolate is said to prevent blood sugar levels from spiking too.
In addition to being a good collagen-boosting food, chia seeds are also great for weight loss, according to this study. These tiny seeds are a rich source of fibre and antioxidants, making them extremely filling, thus preventing you from snacking more. While they don’t taste like much and aren’t much fun to eat by themselves, the best way to enjoy chia seeds is to soak them in water, where they’ll take on a more jelly-like texture, or make a simple chia seed pudding with yoghurt and honey.
Take note though, over-consuming chia seeds can put a strain on your digestive tract, so it’s recommended to only eat 2-3 tablespoons a day.
Tomatoes are regarded as a wonder food for smooth skin, but they also make for a great flab-fighting snack! They’re loaded with anti-inflammation nutrients like carotenoids and bioflavonoids, which can help your body’s weight loss hormones, like leptin, work properly. Leptin is a hormone that helps to regulate your metabolic rate and appetite. For the office, get a pack of bite-sized cherry tomatoes for easier snacking.
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