13 desk snacks to take to work
Isn't it funny how sitting at a desk makes you really, really hungry - especially at 4pm? Here we bring you the easiest, healthiest desk snacks to keep you going throughout the working day...
Follow Alice Howarth on Twitter: @alicejrhowarth
Rex FeaturesWasabi peas
Ultra delicious and sold in smaller packs as well as big, Wasabi peas are an excellent on-the-go, between-meetings or at-your-desk snack. They’ll keep you full until lunch or hometime and have the added bonus of a fiery kick but do eat in moderation, they have a surprising amount of calories in them for being “peas”.
istockDark Chocolate
Look, we get it to. It’s 4 o’clock, lunch is starting to wear off, hunger’s setting in and you need a pick-me-up to get through until 6pm. Naturally you reach for a Snickers, right? Right.
Time to change that. Instead keep a few squares of dark chocolate in your desk draw. This will give you the hit you’re craving without all the sugar and calories of milk or white chocolate. It’s one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet and it’s been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease. Why would you not?
Rex FeaturesDried Fruit
Another good but healthier way to get a mid-afternoon natural sugar hit is by nibbling on some dried fruit. Be warned though, eat in moderation as it is a food that’s surprisingly high in calories.
Rex FeaturesFlapjacks
We’d encourage you to make a big batch of flapjacks at the weekend for the ensuing week. Shop bought, better known as processed, flapjacks contain staggering amounts of sugar but if you make them yourself you can substitute this with a healthy alternative such as agave nectar plus you can stack ‘em full of nourishing seeds. Try this recipe below and enjoy the fact that your snacks will be taken care of for a week:
Ingredients
100g honey
100g oats
100g pistachios roughly chopped
1 tbsp rapeseed oil
1 tsp flaxseeds
1 tsp psyllium husk (don't worry if you don't have this, just use extra flaxseeds)
50g dried dates roughly chopped
20g golden raisins
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 170°c/gas 4.
2. Line a 20cm baking tray with greaseproof paper.3. Place all the ingredients in a large bowl.
4. Place the mixture on the baking tray and flatten with a wooden spoon.
5. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
6.Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
This recipe makes 12 bars, and they will keep in an airtight jar for 10 days.
AlamyNuts
Nuts of all kinds are excellent snacks. Besides being packed with protein, they contain unsaturated fats, both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. All these “good” fats are thought to lower bad cholesterol levels and help your heart.
Rex FeaturesOatcakes
Oats are high in soluable fibre which helps to fill you up for longer. They’re also high in vitamin, minerals and beta-gulcans which lower cholesterol. Selected a wholegrain variety for the optimal healthy snack.
istockPopcorn
No, we’re not talking about the delicious cinema kind covered in sugar and salt, instead the delicious healthy version. Either pick up when of the many “poshcorn” packets sold in most lunch shops now from Pret, to Leon to your local deli or make it yourself.
Begin by buying kernels. Pop them using either a microwave or an air pop machine and then season with paprika and chili for a spicy version or allspice. If you’re after something sweet, sprinkle a pinch of salt and cinnamon over the corn and finish by tossing it in honey.
Keep a box by your desk at all times.
Protein Balls
Protein Balls are sold in an increasing amount of shops making them easy to pick up. Stash some in your draw for when you need a mid-afternoon or morning pick-me-up. This is a smart way to snack as protein keeps you fuller for longer and helps to burn fat as well as speed up your metabolism. One ball packs around 7g of the stuff in one.
If you’d like to make your own, find the recipe below. They’ll keep for two weeks in the fridge or three months in the freezer - pre-planning bonus!
Ingredients
120 g fresh pitted dates
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1 tablespoon Protein 150 g
Peanut butter or nut butter (almond, macadamia etc)
A little water
Method
1. Combine dates, oats, coconut and protein into a blender.
2. Mix through until the mixture looks like crumbs and dates have mixed through the oats.
3. Remove the mixture and place into a large bowl.
4. Add the nut butter and mix through until combined.
5. Add more water if needed to mix into a dough.
6. Scoop out 12 portions using a small ice cream scoop.
7. Roll into balls and roll in chopped nuts, oats, granola or coconut.
8. Store in the fridge until they set.
istockRice Cakes
Sure they’re not the most flavoursome unless salted, but you can opt for a low-salt packet to keep on your desk. Eat plain if that’s what you’re into or whack a slab of spread on for extra flavour.
AlamyRyvitas
You can’t get easier than a packet of Ryvitas when it comes to desk snacks. Be warned though, you may need to spread some peanut butter or jam on for some extra flavour.
Rex FeaturesSeeds
They may look small and unfilling but seeds are packed with nutrients such as protein, fibre, iron, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids which will keep you full for longer. Instead of opting for one type - be it pumpkin or sunflower - pick up a mixed pack sold in all large food shops to make sure you’re reaping all the health benefits.
AlamyGranola bars
Granola is one of those foods that pack surprising amounts of sugar and are generally just not as healthy as you think. The alternative? Make a batch for you and your family for the week in one go.
Ingredients
1.5 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium/large bananas)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if necessary)
1/2-3/4 cup dried cherries, chopped (I used 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pepita seeds (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup hulled hemp seeds
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or fine grain sea salt, or to taste
Method
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish (approx. 8.5" x 12.5") and line with a piece of parchment paper so the bars are easier to lift out.
In a large bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Stir in the vanilla.
Place the rolled oats into a food processor (or blender on the lowest speed) and pulse until the oats are coarsely chopped (but still with lots of texture). Stir oats into the banana mixture.
Chop the walnuts and cherries and stir these and the rest of the ingredients into the banana-oat mixture until thoroughly combined.
Spoon mixture into prepared dish. Press down until compacted and smooth out with hands until even. Use a pastry roller to smooth out if desired.
Bake for 25 minutes until firm and lightly golden along the edge. Place dish on a cooling rack for 10 minutes then carefully slide a knife to loosen the ends and lift out. Place granola slab on a cooling rack for 10 minutes and then into the freezer for another 10 mins.
Slice into bars once they are cool.
This recipe makes 14-16 bars, and they will keep in an airtight jar for 10 days.
Rex FeaturesAll the gym bunnies may say stay away from fruit due to its sugar content, we say, eat it, but eat it in moderation. Enjoy a piece of fruit mid afternoon. You can't go wrong.
