Let’s admit it – it is almost impossible to get through a day of work without feeling a little hungry. Sometimes, we don’t even have the privilege or time to eat a proper lunch, as we find ourselves strapped to our desks and rushing to meet deadlines. When that happens, we often turn to snacks that are generally high in sugar and fat. But snacking isn’t necessarily bad for health, if you’re munching on the right kind of snacks.
In fact, munching on healthy snacks can be a great way to stay fuelled and focused at work. Ranging from nuts, to cheese and popcorn, here are eight healthy snacks you can eat at work, guilt-free:
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Text: Cheryl Lim
Nuts have always been a go-to office snack, and serve as a good alternative to biscuits and chocolates. Packed with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats, as well as fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, they’ve been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and improve memory retainment. However, do limit your portion size as bingeing unconsciously can lead to an accumulation of calories. A handful of around 12-15 nuts should suffice.
Box Green sells a variety of nuts that are baked without salt, and it also offers office gift boxes that are great for office parties and gatherings. Shop here for individual packs or sign up for a subscription plan.
Whether you prefer snacking on cheese on its own or accompanied with bread or crackers and fruits, the wedge or cube cheeses by The Laughing Cow are particularly enjoyable for your fancies. They are a healthy and savoury alternative to snacking on those waistline-expanding chips and pretzels, while giving you an extra boost at work.
The Laughing Cow Cheese Spread ($3.65) comes in several flavours such as Original, Creamy, Ham and Strawberry which you can nibble on by itself or smother onto some water biscuits. Or try the Organic Valley Stringles Organic Cheese ($11.95) which come in individually packed sticks and have no antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides or GMOs. They come in various flavours such as Cheddar and Mozzarella and are light yet flavourful.
Besides keeping your taste buds satisfied, the cheeses are also packed with calcium, which helps to build stronger bones – talk about killing two birds with one stone!
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There’s nothing wrong with wanting to curb your sweet tooth at work, and there’s no better way to do that than by snacking on dark chocolate, which is said to boost one’s focus and memory. Additionally, it’s also good for heart health and lowers cholesterol.
Why not treat yourself to the decadent dark chocolates by homegrown brand Lemuel Chocolate? It is the first bean to bar chocolate store in Singapore and offers an assortment of hand-crafted chocolates ($12 to $16) that are all named after their countries of origin.
Packed with calcium, protein, vitamins and good bacteria (that’s great for your gut), yogurt is always a pleasant addition to any diet. For a healthier option, opt for a cup of plain Greek yogurt, topped with a drizzle of honey and some fresh fruits or granola.
A single serving of Greek yogurt is an exceptional source of non-meat protein – it’s equivalent to a 7-ounce portion of skinless chicken breast. A protein-rich diet may help reduce hunger, boost metabolism, and build muscle. You can get a tub of Farmers Union Greek Style All Natural Yogurt ($9.25 for 1kg) from your nearest supermarket.
Seeds are one of the best office snacks. Not only are they easy to store, they’re also a quiet snack, so the entire office won’t know whenever you bring out the goods. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds are especially rich in protein and fatty acids and can help to curb food cravings.
You can eat them from the packet or sprinkle them over your yogurt or salad. A fan of overnight oats? Chia seeds go excellent with them. Check out Garden Picks for their extensive variety of wholesome and alternative snacking choices.
Granola is a crunchy and lip-smacking treat consisting of rolled oats and nuts that’s sweetened with honey and usually baked until it is crisp, toasted and golden brown. It keeps well in your desk drawer for a quick and nutritious snack. You can eat it plain or add it to milk, your yogurt or salad (sounds a tad weird, but it is super yummy). Oatberry’s Cinnamon Apple Granola ($16.90) is made up of natural ingredients with no added refined sugars or preservatives. Feel free to crunch away!
Hankering for something sweet, but not a big fan of dark chocolate? Try snacking on dried fruits, such as dates. They can satisfy your mid-afternoon sweet tooth addiction, while tiding you over the long work hours with an extra energy boost.
All Kurma’s Date Crown Fardh ($2.50 for 250g) is rich in nutrients, antioxidants and fibre and dates are harvested from date palm trees all the way in the Middle East, USA and Africa. For a more balanced snack, try pairing them with dried nuts or seeds.
Popcorn is no longer just a snack for the peckish when they are watching a movie at the theatres. It can be a great alternative to crackers, when it is not coated with butter or salt. An advocate of healthy snacking, Magi Planet boasts GMO-free popcorn with low calories and no trans-fat and preservatives. It also offers a variety of flavours that you can choose from, including really intriguing and out-of-the-ordinary ones such as Peanut Butter Chocolate ($13.50), Chilli Cheese ($9.20) and Corn Soup ($9.20).
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