Eating healthy while working isn’t hard to do, it just takes a little preparation, planning and determination. Sounds pretty simple, right? Hey, I know it isn’t all that easy, which is why I’ve got some great healthy snacks for work, as well as tips on how to be healthy while working.
Whether you are in an office, healthcare space or in your home, these snacks and tips can help you win the workday! Plus, if you show up to work with a Layered Greek Dip, you might just make some new friends!
“Office” time looks different these days, yet I wanted to give you a snack list that can go from home to wherever work is convenient. I often keep a bag of Oven Roasted Almonds in my purse.
It won’t matter if you don’t have a fridge or microwave, grab a good lunchbox cooler or an icepack, depending on the recipe, and snack your way through the day with confidence.
Table of Contents
Savory Snacks for Work
I broke this list into savory and sweet options since snack cravings seem to fall into those categories. I included homemade hummus and nut butter since they are great healthy fats with protein and you can easily add in your favorite veggies or whole-grain crackers to dip.
Speaking of dips, you can also smash some avocados and a sprinkle of sea salt or bring in a serving of Greek yogurt to dip as well. I make snacks in batches before my week begins so that I can grab ‘n go when I need to.
Sweet ‘n Healthy Snacks
For those with a sweet tooth, this next list is for you. I’ve got both refrigerated and non-fridge options for you, so pick what works best. I love the apple “donuts” option as you can dress them up any way you want. Sprinkle some hemp hearts or chia seeds on top, or even some mini chocolate chips!
Who says we can’t have fun with our food?
Tips For a Healthy Workday
Eating healthy at work actually starts before the workday and prep is key! Here are my top four tips on how to have a healthful workday, snacks and all!
Dinner Leftovers = Easy Lunch
When you make dinner, make enough to have leftovers for lunch. It’s really that simple. Maybe that means doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling a recipe so you have enough for tomorrow’s lunch. Try roasting large pans of vegetables or making salad jars out of the leftovers.
I created Rawk the Year: Meal Planner, my plant-based planning guide, to help my family make easy and healthy dinners. If you struggle with this then I encourage you to check out this meal planner and learn how to feed your crew nourishing whole foods. You’ll not only find great dinner recipes, but also snacks for work, smoothies, non-smoothie breakfast options, desserts and beverages.
To avoid eating a big lunch that might lead to the afternoon sleep-ys, try eating half of your leftovers for lunch, then half in the middle of the afternoon (if you get hungry again). This spaces out the meal, breaks up the afternoon and may even help break the 3 pm coffee fix!
Healthy Snacking Starts With Breakfast
Beginning your day with breakfast is a smart idea for several reasons. If you let yourself get too hungry by skipping your morning meal, it’s harder to resist junk food when your stomach starts to rumble. Or worse, when you get hangry.
Eating a healthy breakfast helps your body absorb nutrients better throughout the day, as well as sets you up to crave healthy snacks at work, instead of more processed foods.
A nourishing breakfast sets your day up for success so that you can do your job to the best of your ability.
What can you do to make breakfast simple and healthy? I suggest prepping green smoothie packs to blend up before you leave for work, whether commuting to an office building or to your den. If breakfast smoothies don’t work for you, then try another healthy breakfast option like eggs, tuna, avocado toast or even dinner leftovers! Steel-cut oats are a great filling breakfast option for me.
Hydration is Key
Drink plenty of water during the day. Keep a glass or bottle of water next to your workspace. If you aren’t a fan of plain water, spice it up by making fruit-infused water with fruit, herbs and veggies. Or drink sparkling mineral water. (No diet soda, if you can help it!) Set a timer on your phone or try to sip water a few times an hour.
Did you know that sometimes “hunger” is actually thirst? Next time you start snacking, intentionally drink water in between bits of that healthy work snack, to naturally up your water intake.
Really Take a Lunch Break
Ah, the lovely lunch hour! It means you’ve made it halfway through your workday. Eating a healthy lunch is integral to sustaining you through the rest of your day and preventing afternoon slumps. It also leads to healthy snacking throughout the afternoon.
Pack as much nutrition into your lunch as you can, including healthy fats, protein, fiber and as many fruits and veggies as you can. Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to bring your lunch from home.
Also, don’t just use your lunch break for eating. Stretch for five minutes, take a walking lap around the block, 20-minute power nap, or read a non-work related book for ten minutes.
Focusing your energy on something other than work helps to break up the day, reset your mood and give you a rush of endorphins that will help you not feel so sluggish throughout the afternoon.
Ready-to-Eat Snack Options
While the above list is great for anyone who can prep, what about the times when a snack attack hits you unprepared? Well, I’ve got a list for that, too.
Fill a drawer at your desk (or a shelf in the office fridge) with dried fruit and nuts (or make your own trail mix), dark chocolate and packets of popcorn. I also keep Barney’s almond butter packets in my bag. Grabbing pre-cut veggies from the grocery store like celery sticks and bell peppers gives you something crunchy to munch.
You can easily make a snack that has protein, healthy fat and carbs in it by popping the popcorn in the microwave and then dusting it with nutritional yeast. Or eating some dark chocolate dipped in nut butter. Buy some granola bars you actually like and keep those on hand, too!
The last thing you want to do when in the snacking mood is try and force yourself to eat something you don’t like. So no picking up a snack just because it’s “healthy.” Shop around and give a few different kinds a try to find one you like and will actually reach for in a pinch.
FAQs
Healthy snacks at work aren’t impossible. Prep a few before your work week starts and then bring options like high-protein muffins, granola bars, chia pudding or overnight oats to have on hand when hunger strikes. Pick snacks that don’t need work to heat up or put together when you’re already hungry.
I love bringing in fresh dips with cut veggies that are easy to toss together and taste delicious. If you want a sweet option then go for fresh fruit with an easy date caramel dip or some homemade, high-protein muffins.
The quickest healthy snacks are the ones you can grab the easiest. Pre-cut veggies with hummus or guacamole work great, or nut butter with veggies. You want a mix of healthy fat, protein and carbs to really fill you up.
I hope this list inspires you to prep a few snacks ahead of your work week, whether that work includes a desk and computer, a kid with endless energy, a classroom of eager minds, a sketch pad or a slew of customers.
What are some of your go-to workweek snacks? Leave a comment and let me know! I’m always up for a great new healthy snack for work ideas.
I’ve gotten so much better at drinking water because of you Jen! And I feel so much better. Thanks for the great tips and keeping us on our wellness game.
Accountability rawks! So glad we can inspire you to stay hydrated, Amanda!
These recipes and tips are so great – not just for work, but some of it works for traveling too. Thanks!
These are great options! I do so much better at work when I’m armed with healthy food vs when I just wing it.
Thank you for so many snack options. Great variety that won’t make me bored. 😉
Eating healthy is so tough – thanks for sharing these plant-powered options!
There are such great tips and tricks in here! Thanks for helping us figure out how to be healthier, even at work. 🙂
I’m good at meal prepping on weekends and eat healthy during work week. Need healthy snack ideas because I get bored easily. The past few weeks I have been doing salad in a jar. I struggle on vacations. Thank you for all the great ideas.
Hey Sheryl,
Glad these ideas are helpful to you! Hope your work week is much easier now for you 🙂
Thanks so much, the hummus and carrots are a great go to for me. I’m a nurse so I’m always on the go, it’s hard to get in my water intake at work since we can’t drink at our workstation. I’m going to try the idea of setting an alarm to remind me.
Hey Kanitha,
I love that idea! I hope it helps you increase your water intake.
Let us know how it goes for you! 🙂
I spend far too much time sitting at my desk at work. These were some great tips. Thanks.
Hey Beth,
Glad you enjoyed our tips!
I’m usually good at precooking meals but not snacks… great suggestions!!
Hey Kim,
I am usually the opposite. I am a big snacker so I always make sure to have pre-made snacks on hand. I need this for my meals though 🙂
Helpful advice. I work at home but it’s still a good idea for me.
Hey Pamela,
We love how these tips can be helpful to everyone no matter what their day entails.
Enjoy!!! 🙂
Love the idea of taking in a recipe from Simple Green Meals for the next potluck (which we seem to have once a month!) Definitely doing that for my next one!
Yum!!! I wish I could attend your potluck =P
Great ideas and tips! I agree that being prepared has helped me a lot. Thanks Jen!
You are welcome, Rebekah!
Glad this was helpful to you 🙂
These are really good suggestions. I try to plan my breakfasts, lunches and snacks every day since those are usually eaten at work. I have several SGS cleanse recipes (like Meg’s Skillet Chili, Comfort Soup and Vegan Hash Cakes to name a few) that I continue to make and keep in single-serving sized bowls in my freezer for quick, healthy lunches. (I haven’t tried doing salad-in-a-jar yet, but it’s on my list!) And I still make Warrior Bars, which make a great breakfast. My dinner plans are sometimes up in the air, but I feel pretty good having made better choices throughout the work day.
Hey Polly,
Thank you for sharing that with us. Your plan sounds like a winner!! Glad you have a great system that works for you 🙂
Very good suggestions, I will definitely try them thanks so much!
Glad this was helpful to you, Jamela!