5 Tasty Snack Ideas For Staying Healthy And Productive At Work

If you want to stay fit and healthy, it's hard to avoid talking about food once in a while when it comes to exercise. After all, they are both essential parts to the puzzle, and one can definitely affect the other. This month, we'll be sharing some healthy eating-related tips that can really improve your fitness results. We'll start off where we've been for the past few weeks: at the office.

Work days can seem long and tiring, and everyone needs a little pick-me-up during the working hours. Sure, you may eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to schedule, but sometimes in between energy levels can crash and leave you wanting to go to dreamland. This is where snacks can come in very handy.

However, a majority of people tend to make the mistake of opting for sugary and carb-heavy snacks like doughnuts, bread, pastries, and sugar-laden coffee to increase their energy levels. These types of snacks may pick you up for a while, but eventually your energy levels will crash even lower than before - and you'll end up gaining an extra 10 lbs before you know it!

Instead of reaching for the quick-fix carbs, stock your desk and office fridge with these healthy alternatives. Not only will they replenish your energy for a longer period of time, but they'll also help you keep the weight off instead of derailing your fitness goals.

1. Apple slices and peanut butter: Low in carbs and all-natural, this snack will please your sweet tooth while giving you some good nutrition as well. Just be sure to use natural peanut butter with no added sugars or unhealthy added hydrogenated oils.

Roasted cashews make a great snack. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Mixed nuts: Nuts contain healthy fats, some carbs, good amounts of proteins, and several vitamins that will keep your energy levels up without resulting in a crash later on. These make a super simple snack, and you can keep a jar containing different types of nuts mixed together (cashew nuts, almonds, pecans, and so on) on your desk. Don’t eat too much at one go though; nuts still contain a high amount of calories. Limit yourself to a handful or so.

3. Vegetables: Of course, you probably know about this healthy snack idea already, but are you eating enough of them? To make it simple, you can bring carrot sticks, radish sticks, or cherry tomatoes to work to snack on when you feel a little famished. These snacks are low in calories and high in fiber. Sprinkle on a little salt or dried herbs for extra flavor if you like.

4. Fresh fruits: The next best snack to vegetables is naturally fruits, since fruits are high in fiber, taste good, and have a high water and vitamin content as well. You can bring apples, oranges, grapes, or other such small fruits to work to eat when you need a boost.

5. Yogurt: Yogurt is a refreshing and healthy snack to have, as long as you stick with the sugar-free varieties. If you want more oomph, add in some oats, fresh or dried fruits, or flax seeds into your yogurt for a more balanced snack with more staying power.

These are just a few of the many different healthy snacks you can indulge in to give you some extra energy when you are feeling low at work. There are many others you can try; just experiment and see which natural, unprocessed foods taste good to you and make you feel energized at the same time.