Hunger pangs can attack unannounced, and sometimes it can become unbearable. You can a heavy lunch yet be hungry after 2 hours. You could have had a breakfast worthy of a king, but hunger can still hit you like a freight truck at noon! It is hard not to succumb to such temptations, especially when your stomach is protesting for some food and you are busy attending calls and meetings all day long. Work from home has made it harder to stay away from excessive munching as your kitchen is just a few steps away. While snacking is seen to be unhealthy, it really isn’t. It all depends on what you eat. Most celebrities swear by the technique of eating/snacking every 3 hours to stay healthy and fit. But the trick is to munch on healthy foods in small quantities. Snacks keep your stomach full, preventing you from overeating during your mealtime. Hence, an insulated food jar of snacks filled with nutrients, protein, vitamins, minerals is the key. If you are on the lookout for some ideas, then here are few healthy snack options when working from home.
1. Greek Yogurt and Mixed Berries
Yogurt is the most loved dairy product, and for a good reason. It has a soft texture that slides down the throat and makes your stomach happy. Yogurt is also good for the gut. Berries have their own nutritional value, and when both are combined, they make a nutritious snack. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, potassium, and calcium. Berries are the powerhouse of antioxidants. You can also alternate between different berries to get the full advantage of their nutritional value. Add half a cup of berries to 500 gms of yogurt, and your snack is ready! Pack this snack in an insulated food jar or container and you are all set for a hectic day with a healthy snack!
2. Chia Pudding
A tasty pudding for a snack? Yes, please! Chia seeds are filled with fibers and can in added to any keto or vegan diet. They are also high in antioxidants which are great at improving heart health and reducing inflammation. This snack is also quite low on calories. Making chia pudding is easy. Pour water into a bowl and add chia seeds. Refrigerate for half an hour. Add peanut butter, sweetener, and cocoa butter. Avoid sugar and use a sweetener instead, your healthy and yum pudding is ready! The cocoa butter and sweetener add sweetness and texture to the almost bland and crunchy chia seeds! Pack this in a stainless steel storage jar and you are all geared up to eat a healthy snack while you work from home.
3. Peanut Butter and Apple
This match made in heaven snack is satisfying for both your taste buds and stomach. Peanut butter is known to increases HDL (good cholesterol) and improves heart health. Apples are rich in fiber and antioxidants, which lowers the risk of developing heart disease and improves gut health. Remember to consume peanut butter in moderation. Take a medium-sized apple and slice it into pieces. Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the plate. Peanut butter adds a crispy and creamy texture to the sweet apple flavor. Have this from an insulated food jar for your 3 am hunger attack, and no one is the wiser!
4. Hard-boiled Eggs
Eggs are possibly one of the healthiest snacks out there. They are great at aiding weight loss and fuss-free too. They are rich in protein and also vitamin B12, and vitamin K2. As they are filling, they efficiently help you eat less during your main meals. This will help you in losing weight. Boil some eggs and sprinkle them with some pepper and salt. You can also take them with you to work or pack them for your children. Two hard-boiled eggs contain 13gms of protein.
5. Nuts Assortment
While nuts have the label fats attached to them, most people miss the preceding term, “healthy.” Nuts are healthy fats that are full of nutrition. The quantity, however, needs to be controlled since overeating them could lead to weight gain. Nuts are believed to lower the risk of heart diseases and prevent depression, cancers, and certain illnesses. They contain fiber, protein, and healthy fats. If you are going to work, then pack less than a handful of every nut you have in a small container. Munch on them whenever you are hungry. This will prevent you from eating outside and also fills your stomach immediately after consumption. This snack is ideal for an evening or mid-morning snack! Watch your hunger dissipate with a handful of these from an insulated food storage jar
6. Almonds and Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is a renowned snack for improving mood and being good for the heart. Almonds, as already known, are a rich source of healthy fats. Together, dark chocolate and almond make a satisfying, rich, easy-to-carry snack. Dark chocolate contains flavanols, reduces the risk of any heart diseases, and also lowers blood pressure. The chocolate should contain 70% of cocoa solids. Almonds are a good source of monosaturated fats, which have been known to control blood sugar. Both almonds and magnesium are rich in magnesium.
7. Roasted Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are imperishable with high content of fiber, protein, and plenty of vitamins and minerals. 1/2 a cup of chickpeas contains 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. What’s more, they comprise most of the amino acids your body needs! So, their protein is known to have a better quality than other legumes. Prepare some fried tangy chickpea for a super healthy snack, store it in insulated kitchen storage jars, the kind you can reach out to frequently while you work. It is very low on calories, making for a lovely indulgence.
8. Popcorn
Popcorn is a healthy whole grain snack filled with protein and fiber. You can select from various flavors to satisfy your hunger pangs. Right from peri-peri flavor to butter popcorns, munching becomes delicious! They will not only gratify your taste buds while you work from home, but their gluten-free nature makes it perfectly binge-worthy. It can fill you with fiber and contains a greater number of antioxidants than fruits and vegetables. It is an ideal dieting snack. Foods with high fiber take more time to digest than non-fibrous foods, keeping you full for a longer period. Snacking on popcorn in between meals can relieve you of your temptation to gorge on sweets and fatty foods.
9. Hummus and Cucumber Slices
Hummus and cucumber slices make for an addictive snack. They’re very low on calories and are rich in nutrients. Hummus is prepared from garlic, olive oil, and chickpeas. It has been known to improve heart health. It also lowers inflammation. Add 100gms of hummus to one cup of sliced cucumber. Dip the slices in the hummus and relish! You can also carry it to work or pack it for the children. They will love the newness this snack brings and keep wanting more!
10. Spicy and Tangy Avocado
Avocado is one fruit that is both filling and nutritious. There is nothing in the fruit to dislike. You can bring a small twist to this fruit by making it a little spicy. Avocados are rich in potassium, fiber, monounsaturated fat, and magnesium. These fruits are known to lower LDL (bad cholesterol), protect the skin from sun damage, and improve arthritis symptoms. Wash the avocados and remove the seeds. Slice them into thin pieces and place them on a plate. You can sprinkle some pepper and a dash of salt on the sliced avocados. This snack is extremely low on calories, and you can have them without any guilt or stress.
Conclusion
What you choose to snack on is an important decision to make as it can affect your health significantly. If you are one of those people who like to binge in the middle of the day, then having to up your snacking game is important. These snacks are bound to please your taste buds and also satisfy your hunger.