When those mid-morning hunger pangs strike, or you start suffering from the inevitable afternoon slump, do you reach for a healthy snack to sustain and nourish you, or do you gorge on sugary food and drinks for that quick sugar high which is then quickly followed by another slump in energy? Making wise snack choices whilst at work not only gives us a sustained energy boost, they can also help concentration and focus whilst also contributing to a healthy diet in general. Try our suggestions below for healthy snacks to eat at your desk for some energy and mood boosting not to mention tasty snacks.
1. A handful of almonds
Almonds really do pack a powerful nutritional punch. Not only are they a fantastic source of protein, they are also a source of healthy fat. They amazingly contain nine essential nutrients and are rich in Vitamin E. In fact, when compared to other nuts, Almonds contain the most protein and fibre. Thankfully they are tasty too!
2. Hummus with raw vegetables to dip
The humble chickpea, the main ingredient in traditional hummus certainly isn’t humble when it comes to its nutritional credentials! Chickpeas are a great source of calcium, iron, protein and fibre and as a consequence prevent blood sugar levels from rising to rapidly. Adding a variety of raw vegetables to dip only increases the benefits and taste of this option.
3. Yogurt
Although sadly many yogurts available on supermarket shelves are crammed full of sugar these days, natural unsweetened yogurt is a great option for a daytime snack. Natural yogurt contains good bacteria and probiotics which promotes gut health and a healthy digestive system. Natural yogurt also contains protein, calcium, vitamins, potassium and magnesium. What’s not to like!?
4. Apples and peanut butter
This may sound like an odd combination but give it a go-it’s delicious. The apple provides carbohydrates and fibre for a sustained energy release, whilst the peanut butter delivers healthy monounsaturated fat and protein which further controls spikes in blood sugar. Make sure for maximum health benefits that you pick unsweetened peanut butter such as Whole Earth award winning peanut butter. Yum!
5. A handful of mixed seeds
Brain boosting pumpkin seeds contain high levels of healthy unsaturated fat and are an excellent source of Omega-3 fats making them a great option for those who don’t regularly eat oily fish. They also provide heart healthy magnesium and immune boosting zinc. These powerful seeds certainly shouldn’t just be for Halloween only! Flax seeds are an excellent food to boost your fibre intake. They are also high in Omega-3. Recent studies suggest that consuming these wonder seeds can aid in keeping blood pressure within safe limits. Sunflower seeds are inexpensive yet still contain high levels of healthy fats and minerals such as magnesium, copper and manganese. Sunflower seeds also contain high levels of naturally occurring Vitamin E; a powerful antioxidant.
6. A healthy energy bar
We are certainly not advocating running out and buying just any old snack bar. As with yogurts above, the nutritional benefits of many of these bars are cancelled out by the amount of sugar that has been added. But if you look carefully, there are a new breed of bar available which not only taste great but also offer a guiltless boost to your diet. Look out for ‘Nakd Bars’ available at most supermarkets. Consisting of just raw fruits and nuts, these delicious bars offer excellent dietary benefits and also provide you with one of your five a day! Check out their website: www.naturalbalancefoods.co.uk
7. Chocolate
No, you’re not dreaming! If eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can provide many health benefits; It is a powerful antioxidant which is packed full of beneficial minerals such as iron, zinc and selenium. Studies have shown that cocoa consumption (aim to eat chocolate that has a minimum of 70% cocoa solids to really reap the rewards), can lower ‘bad’ cholesterol whilst raising the levels of ‘good’ cholesterol in your blood which means potentially lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease. Chocolate is also good for the brain (this just gets better and better). Chocolate contains flavanols which are linked with a reduction of memory loss in older people and dark chocolate is also thought to encourage feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Go on treat yourself to a square or three! If this all sounds too good to be true.
