The Best Snack Foods at Work
Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is key to maintaining your health, but long office hours can have an adverse effect on your lifestyle. The best way to avoid piling on the pounds at work is to eat an assortment of healthy snacks to help get you through the day. The best snacks provide a mix of fiber, protein and a small amount of fat, and typically have less than 200 calories.
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Fruit
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Whether it's fresh fruit brought from home that day or dried fruit that's stored in your desk, fruit makes for a healthy snack at any time of the day. Strawberries, raspberries and grapes make for a refreshing snack, while dried fruits are a far healthier option for those with a sweet tooth. Slightly more interesting snacks include the combination of peanut butter and apple, a mixture that offers fiber, protein and fruit, and half an avocado, a snack that will fill you up with fiber and keep you feeling full for longer.
Vegetables
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Both raw and cooked vegetables offer an assortment of vitamins, minerals, fibers and carbohydrates. Raw vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, celery and peppers go together well with hummus, a dip that provides several nutrients and fibers that help normalize blood pressure and improve vitamin E absorption. Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes can be topped with canned tuna in water to provide a delectable snack, and one that is healthy at the same time.
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Nuts
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Nuts can be a great source of nutrients, particularly monosaturated fats and protein. Studies show that certain nuts and seeds can prevent heart disease, weight gain and high cholesterol. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts and cedar nuts can make for healthy snacks, provided they are organic and have not been roasted or salted. Nuts can be stored in your desk drawer, making them perfect for the office.
Yogurt
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Low-fat yogurts make for a great office snack whether you prefer plain, low-calorie ones or those loaded with fruit. Dannon's Light 'n Fit yogurts are a good low-sugar option, with each 6 oz. pot containing 90 calories and 6 g of protein. Stonyfield Farm's organic yogurts are another healthy, fat-free alternative, with each 8 oz. serving consisting of 150 calories and 8 g of protein.
Instant Foods
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If you've missed out on breakfast or are feeling lethargic in the morning, a packet of instant oatmeal is a great way to kickstart your day. Just add some water to the contents of the packet and microwave for one to two minutes. Nile Spice's red beans and rice is a good instant soup option. The low-fat, high-fiber Louisiana-style soup offers plenty of protein and one cup has just 170 calories. Another alternative is Kraft's Easy Mac Original, which allows you to prepare a low-calorie version of macaroni and cheese in just minutes.
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References
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