snacks?

What is a good/healthy snack that I can find in a typical office setting? Other than bringing my own from home? Is there anything from a vending machine that's better than other items? I *try* to stay away from things that are 100% empty carbs, so things like Baked Lays, even though they're lower-calorie, aren't what I'd consider healthy...

Wed. Dec 14, 3:38pm

From the vending machine I would try nuts or beef jerky, but not the fatty kind like Slim Jims.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 3:46 PM

why wouldnt you want to bring your own? keep a bag of nuts in your drawer, or a bag of dried fruit. Dried mangoes are really really good. Trail mix, fig newtons. Eating from a vending machine isn't a really good idea...

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 3:51 PM

my office keeps a lot of fresh fruit around - could you ask for some to be kept in your break area?

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 4:32 PM

Thanks for the ideas! I like the nuts and beef jerkey, and asking for fruit. They're not really options here, but thanks!

I do want to bring food from home, but often, there's nothing at home to bring and I don't have time to go to the store, etc. I like bringing fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc., but they clean out the fridge all the time and I end up losing my food - they have a policy, they'll clean it out no matter what, so leaving a note isn't an option (though they do have the schedule up of when it gets cleaned up, so it's nto a surprise or anything!) I'm just trying to see if anyone has any better ideas than I do! That's all!!

Also, if I have food at my desk, I'll eat it. If I don't keep it here and have to make an effort to get it, I'll only eat it if I'm actually hungry and it's not almost the end of the day. I'm often starving by 4:30, but I can be home by 5:15 making dinner; if there's food in a drawer, I'm probably going to snack though, when I just don't need to at that point!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 4:44 PM

I'm right there with you on keeping food in my desk - it won't last 2 days, no matter what it is. Could you put it deep inside your desk so that it takes quite a bit of effort to get to? That works for me as long as I keep myself to the rule of leaving it there always. Or do you have a close friend at work who would keep it for you? Then you'd have to go ask for it- that would be a huge deterant (sp?) for me, at least.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 4:49 PM

I have the same problem with eating the snacks I have around. So, now I just bring enough snacks for the day. On Sunday I'll make 5 baggies or tupperware of my snack for the week, and bring only one serving each day. That way, I can't over eat!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 5:34 PM

Snacks to keep in your desk drawer...

If you can make hot water easily, consider stashing some quick or instant oats (plain, the flavored varieties are mostly sugar!) in your desk along with some raisins (for a quick boost), powdered milk (for "staying power") and a small jar of cinnamon. If you put them in resealable containers, like old peanut butter jars, they shouldn't go bad or attract vermin and, except for the raisins, are pretty immune to mindless snacking.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 11:05 PM

I think if you are starving by 4:45 something needs to be revamped. You either need a larger lunch, a larger afternoon snack, or more of something in your diet - it could be fat or protein or carbs, depending on what the rest of your diet is like. The oatmeal is a great suggestion! I used to eat that all the time for a work snack and lost weight doing it. Also, I used to eat cherios. Also, string cheese in those little one ounce packs will be fine for a day in your desk.

Thursday, December 15, 2005, 5:11 AM

If you have to use the vending machine

Here's a link I came across to help you make a better choice at the vending machine

Link

Friday, December 16, 2005, 10:29 AM

what a fantastic link!

Friday, December 16, 2005, 10:54 AM

Pretty cool!! It just seems to say, though, that everything under 200 cals is good and everything over is bad...??

Friday, December 16, 2005, 10:59 AM

Soy chips are awesome! they may sound kind of gross but they taste awesome! they look and taste just like the mini quaker rice cakes but are loaded with protein and are very healthy. My favorite flavor is BBQ they also have Sour cream n onion even regular is pretty good

Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 1:50 PM

string cheese is great too!

Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 1:51 PM

low cal snack

this would have to be refridgerated, but the low calorie jello is good. you can buy it premade and packaged. it is 0 points for weight watchers people.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 2:03 PM

does anyone snack on cereal? I like the shredded wheat kind (sort of like triscuits, but a litlle sweeter).

By the way, if sugar is a concern, I've found that Agave Nectar is a great substitute for Honey-- it has a low glycemic index, so my blood sugar stays even. :-)

I've heard of "stevia" and xylitol as sugar substitutes that are natural, but have not experienced either of those...

Also, as an FYI-- I believe that yogurt can be kept unrefrigerated-- how about bringig a small insulated bag-- grab a water bottle & freeze it, put it inside the bag with some yogurt or fruit? By the time the ice melts, you'll have a nice cold bottle of water with your healthy snack?

Sunday, February 26, 2006, 1:58 PM

tough that they have such a strict fridge cleaning method
(but hey, at least it's clean!). i recommend just bringing snacks each day. yes this is tough to do time-wise, but if you get into the habit it just becomes natural. you will naturally schedule in time to take care of these things. at the begining of the week i do my grocery shopping. i wash my fruits and vegetables and cut up things like carrots, peppers, celery etc and put them in tupperware or plastic baggies. this way, they are ready to go when i am hungry. hummus and vegetables is a great snack that travels pretty easily. i also keep a couple of mozarella string cheeses in the fridge. whole grain crackers (just a serving pre-portioned) and nuts are great too. most fruits don't need to be refrigerated and apples and bananas easily last a week or more. you have lots of solutions-don't let the vending machine options hold you back-it's a waste of money and calories.

Sunday, February 26, 2006, 3:59 PM

I keep instant oatmeal, almonds, crackers, and other assorted snacks in my desk. At trader joes you can even buy the almonds in serving sizes.

I go fgrocery shopping for just snacks, leave the bag in the car and bring it twork the next day. One shopping trip lasts me a month of healthier snacking

Monday, February 27, 2006, 2:02 PM

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