It's the middle of the day, and already, you feel tired and cranky at work. If this is you, you may need to take a breather to regroup, and you could also need a healthy snack to keep your energy levels up in the workplace.
But don't just grab stuff from the vending machine-knowing which kinds of snack foods to munch on at work will also help you stay focused and alert. So instead of filling up on junk, keep a mug, a spoon, and a small microwaveable container on your desk, and have some of these snacks at your desk.
A packet of instant oatmeal
When you know that a sleeve of crackers won't cut it, prepare yourself a serving of instant oatmeal by pouring a packet into a mug, mixing it up with some hot water, and sprinkling in a few nuts or dried fruits, if desired. Quaker makes individual packets in different flavors such as Maple and Brown Sugar, while Nature's Path Organic Hemp Plus makes instant oatmeal in Cinnamon Pumpkin Seed and Apple Cinnamon flavors.
Some mixed nuts with a piece of fresh fruit
Try snacking on a banana with a handful of mixed nuts such as almonds, pistachios, cashews, and pecans. The banana is rich in potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin B6, while the nuts have healthy fats, vitamins and antioxidants such as vitamin E, riboflavin, niacin, and zinc, among others.
Crunchy, raw vegetables and hummus
Got a hankering for salty chips and creamy dips? Instead of ripping open a pack of potato chips, pack some crunchy, raw veggies such as carrots, jicama, and celery in a container along with some hummus for a satisfying snack. Hummus has a lot of nutrients, including vitamin C, E, B6, and folate.
Homemade trail mix
Instead of buying prepared trail mix from the store, consider preparing your own at home and bringing a small container filled with the treat to work every day. Your trail mix can have pumpkin seeds, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, some dried fruit such as cherries or mangoes, and a few dark chocolate chips.
For more, check out Jobs & Hire's report on the things that every working woman should carry in her purse.
