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Living Well

7 Healthy Snacks To Stock Up On Your Work Desk

Jan 2, 2018

A healthy snack as a pick-me-up with coffee or tea goes a long way in energizing you during work hours without interfering with your health goals. Most of us make the mistake of reaching out for that bag of chips, or jelly beans or KitKat (Because we are having a break, duh) or other kinds of junk food because they are convenient or it makes us feel so good. Sadly these foods can actually get counterproductive not just to survive the work day, but can also result in long-term health consequences (Hello, diabetes, obesity and other deadly diseases!) Here we present some healthy snack ideas for work that are not only delicious but also provide a host of health benefits.

Foxnuts (Tal Makhana)

healthy snack ideas for work

Foxnuts (Tal Makhana)

Also known as desi popcorn, these round white beauties are the perfect in-between meal snack. You can pop them as “Work Popcorn” – to make the screen in front of you even more exciting and to keep you alert and enthused. Moreover, they’re low in cholesterol and sodium. Rich in protein and magnesium, this snack is low in calories, making them an excellent option for those suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. As an added benefit, they also keep you stress-free while prepping for that all-important presentation! You can eat these raw, cooked or roasted or sprinkled with half a pinch of salt or pepper. A bowlful of these should keep you going for at least a few hours.

Dark Chocolate

healthy snack ideas for work

Dark Chocolate

This may sound a little unusual in the list of healthy snack ideas for work. But bitter chocolate (chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content) is not only a natural stress buster, but also improves short-term working memory and concentration. It spikes up your energy to get through that not-so-fun but absolutely necessary spreadsheet! A great mood-booster, a piece of this luscious brown can help you beat the Monday morning blues in no time. Indulging in this bittersweet treat also has great long-term benefits. It helps with weight loss and is packed with antioxidants that can make you look younger and keep chronic diseases at bay. 30-60 grams a day of dark chocolate, be it as a luscious lunch dessert or as an evening accompaniment to your coffee, can do wonders for your health.

Peanuts (Mungfali)

healthy snack ideas for work

Peanuts (Mungfali)

Skipped your breakfast in a mad dash to get to work? No worries, peanuts are a perfect item in the list of healthy snack ideas for work. Rich in protein, energy, good cholesterol, and antioxidants, just about 30-40 roasted peanuts will keep you full and satiated right until a late afternoon lunch. Moreover, peanuts also reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Peanuts are one of the rare plant sources of vitamin B complex. Also, they account for 85% of RDI of niacin, a nutrient that is responsible for blood flow to the brain — yet that’s right- where you need it most when working. Besides, it’s perfect for vegetarians who have a tough time getting their required dose of vitamin B.

Almonds (Badaam)

healthy snack ideas for work

Almonds (Badaam)

Packed with Vitamin E, proteins, fiber, healthy cholesterol, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc, almonds are the perfect healthy snacks for work. Almonds are also a powerful source of dietary fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, antioxidants, flavonoids and phytosterols. Moreover, their long shelf life means they can be at your desk for long. If you’re having roasted almonds, do have these in moderation, as they increase your sodium intake considerably vis-a-vis raw almonds. Eating 28 grams (23 almonds) of this nutrient reduces the risk of heart diseases.

Dates (Khajoor)

healthy snack ideas for work

Dates (Khajoor)

Dry dates aren’t just sweet and delicious but are also packed with vitamins, minerals, iron, and calcium. Dates are good for your heart, digestion, and for boosting your energy. Moreover, these are amazing for weight loss, hair growth and to keep your skin smooth, soft and supple. Have 3 or 4 of these when you’re feeling sluggish and get an instant energy boost.

Pumpkin Seeds (Kaddu ke beej)

healthy snack ideas for work

Pumpkin Seeds (Kaddu ke beej)

Don’t underestimate the power of these tiny seeds. You can eat them raw and roasted. Just about 100 grams of pumpkin seeds can keep you full and satiated for hours. As an amazing source of Vitamin B, Magnesium, healthy fats, copper, and antioxidants, this snack is heart-friendly and builds your immunity. These also promote good sleep so do pop a few while you’re winding up for the day and are ready to sleep after a hard day at work.

Roasted Chickpeas (Channa)

healthy snack ideas for work

Roasted Chickpeas (Channa)

A bowl of chickpeas is a healthy, protein-packed snack with generous doses of mineral, vitamins, fiber, and good fat.  Moreover, these are great for satisfying your in-between-meal cravings for at least 2 hours. Try to buy a pack with less salt to keep your sodium intake low.

To include, healthy work snacks are a great way to keep you satiated and productive throughout your work day. As an added benefit, healthy snacks also increase bonding among your co-workers as you can enjoy healthy breaks together and brainstorm over the next big idea!

Mahesh Jayaraman
Mahesh is a hormone health counsellor & holistic health expert. He has a Mastery Certification in Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis from the US, is certified in Functional Nutrition from Washington State University and uses a wide array of healing modalities to guide his clients to vibrant health and well-being.