10 Types of Snacks That Help You Power Through the Workday

Are you ever sitting at your desk, working on a project, when your stomach starts to growl? Your eyes glance at the clock on the corner of your computer screen, and you realize that it’s only 11 a.m. and your office’s catered lunch won’t be delivered for over an hour. We’ve all been there, and there are really only two options for addressing that mid-morning hunger; you can try to ignore your empty stomach (and the headache that often accompanies it), or you can head over to the office kitchen and grab a snack that will satisfy your hunger until your meal arrives. 

Once considered a luxury in the workplace, complimentary snacks for employees are now a regular occurrence in many modern office environments. However, not all snacks are created equal, and some are more beneficial to the health and productivity of employees than others. Here is our roundup of the 10 types of snacks that will help you (and your employees!) power through the workday:

1. NUTRITIOUS NUT BUTTERS

“Fat” in food often carries a negative connotation, but in reality, fats are essential to your diet and are actually a natural part of most foods. Not only does it give your body the ability to absorb key vitamins, but fat gives you fuel — the kind of fuel that your body needs to stay alert and focused throughout a long workday.

Unfortunately, fat is frequently combined with unhealthy ingredients in processed foods that contain added sugars and low nutritional value, such as chips and candy. Nut Butter company SuperFat makes it easy to incorporate fats into your diet in a healthy way. Their nut butters are only made of high-quality ingredients and don’t contain any added sugar. MCT oil can be found in SuperFat products, which has been proven to improve cognition and mental clarity, helping you get your brain out of that Friday afternoon fog.

2. SWEET AND SAVORY SNACK MIXES

Love traditional trail mix, but don’t love all the calories, sugars, and preservatives that come with it? Luckily, there are healthier alternatives that taste just as good, if not better! Youtopia Snacks offers 130-calorie nutritious snack mixes that are perfectly portion-controlled to help avoid the temptation of over-snacking. There are three sweet and savory varieties available (Espresso Obsesso, Bananas for Chocolate and So Money Honey Mustard), each of which is high protein, low sugar, and gluten-free. Want the chocolate taste without the guilt? Youtopia’s Bananas for Chocolate flavor includes Organic Banana Chips, Mocha Espresso Cookie Puffs, and Orangic Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seeds. Talk about a winning combo!

3. NOT YOUR CHILDHOOD CHEESE PUFFS

Remember those cheese puffs that you would eat at recess during elementary school, the ones that would leave a bright orange, powdery residue all over your fingers? That fake cheese taste might have been enjoyable as a child, but all of those unnatural ingredients likely aren’t too appealing to most adults (and are definitely not a healthy choice!). And that’s where Hippeas Chickpea Puffs come in. This healthy substitute for your favorite childhood snack bakes legumes into that familiar light, crunchy puff that you crave. These puffs are made with natural and organic ingredients and do not contain any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They feature 3g of fiber and 4g of protein per 1-ounce serving and are offered in six different flavors that include Vegan White Cheddar and Sriracha Sunshine.

Hippeas Chickpea Puffs are gluten-free, kosher, vegan, and do not contain common allergens such as milk, wheat, and peanuts, making them the perfect snack for everyone in the office to enjoy.

4. SIMPLE INGREDIENT SNACKS

With dozens of (sometimes unrecognizable) ingredients packed into so many snack products, it can become overwhelming trying to figure out what exactly you are actually consuming. However, a small ingredient list does not necessarily equal a lack of taste or nutrients, and there is a snack company proving just that. RXbar has created protein bars, nut butters, and instant oats that contain only a few simple, high-quality ingredients that are all prominently listed in large font on the front of their packaging. Despite offering a wide range of flavors, each protein-packed snack item contains only three to five ingredients that include egg whites, dates, and different kinds of nuts.

These high protein, high fiber, low calorie treats provide the nutrition necessary to make it through the workday with a clear head and full tank of energy.

5. LOW CARB CANDY BARS

Let’s face it — candy bars are delicious. There’s no denying that those chocolate delights are nearly irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth. However, the energy that these sugar-packed snacks provide isn’t sustainable and often leads to a “crash.” Not exactly what you want to happen just before heading into a long afternoon meeting.

Not all hope is lost, though. For those with a craving for chocolate, there’s something else you can bite into. NEOH Crossbars have the same great nutritional values as a regular protein bar yet taste like a candy bar. They will give you energy, fill you up, and taste great with three flavors to choose from; coconut, chocolate, and raspberry. With just 1g of sugar, NEOH Bars have 95% less than regular candy bars and contain no aspartame or palm oil. Your teeth will thank you, too! 

6. SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES

For many individuals, smoothies are their go-to healthy snack for many occasions, from breakfast on-the-go to post-workout to an afternoon snack at work. But let’s face it, they can be time-consuming and messy to make from scratch, and no one wants to be cleaning out a blender in the sink of their office kitchen during their lunch break.

NOKA Organics solves this problem with their Superfood Smoothie packs. A lighter, more refreshing alternative to a protein bar, these smoothie pouches are not only convenient for desk life and commuting, but contain antioxidant and nutrient-rich superfoods that will help your employees feel great and protect their long and short-term health. NOKA uses the highest quality organic ingredients, including “ugly” fruits and veggies that would otherwise go to waste and blends them with plant protein, healthy fats and antioxidant-rich superfoods like Maqui Berry and Camu Camu. The result? A smoothie that’s as good for your body as it is for your tastebuds.

Plus, you’ll never have to worry about getting crumbs on your keyboard!

7. CRUNCHY (PURE) CHEESE CRISPS

Preservatives. Artificial flavors and coloring. Endless amount of sugar and salt. These are just some of the unhealthy ingredients that have become synonymous with snack foods, and in many cases, rightfully so. However, if your workplace prioritizes employee well-being, it’s important to invest in meals, drinks, and snacks that will make them feel good not just for an hour or two, but for an entire day. 

Whisps Cheese Crisps are a single-ingredient snack that is made with only 100% pure cheese and nothing else. These baked cheese crisps are a flavorful, airy, crunchy snack that has low carbs (1g per serving) and is a good source of protein and calcium. Plus, they are high in protein, gluten-free, and come in five delicious flavors, such as Parmesan Cheese & Bacon BBQ. 

Replace the traditional potato chips and cheese crackers in your office kitchen with this healthier, tastier alternative and provide your employees with a snack option that shows you care about their health.

8. WHOLE GRAIN GRANOLA BARS

Breakfast is considered by many to be the most important meal of the day. Eating a meal as part of your morning routine has countless long and short-term health benefits, from heart disease and diabetes prevention to helping maintain a healthy body weight. Whether an employee eats breakfast or not can also impact their job performance. Breakfast not only provides the first boost of energy that will carry you throughout the day, but it is essential for brain function and can improve concentration and memory.

However, more than 31 million Americans (roughly 10% of the U.S. population) skip breakfast each day, and many of them say it’s because they are too busy or running late. Therefore, it’s important to provide your employees with a quick, easy breakfast option for days when they arrive to the office in the morning with an empty stomach.

Made Good Granola Bars are the perfect choice for breakfast, or as a snack anytime throughout the day. These vegan granola bars are made from all-natural ingredients such as dried fruits and whole grains, and there is one full serving of vegetables in each bar, which helps contribute to a healthy digestive and immune system. As a bonus, they are allergy-friendly, gluten-free and organic. These healthy granola bars are guaranteed to be a hit in your office!

9. FRUITY FIG BARS

Fruit-filled snack bars can be frequently found in the snack aisle of your local grocery store. But, have you heard of fig bars? 

Convenience and nutrition all-in-one, Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars are the ideal choice for the employees who are always on the go. Figs aren’t just delicious, they are also a great source of fiber! These whole wheat fig bars are only 100 calories each and are dairy-free, plant-based, vegan, and contain no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup. 

With eight flavors to choose from, including Apple Cinnamon and Peach Apricot, these fig bars will become a fast favorite of employees who are always running from meeting to meeting.

10. POWERFUL PROTEIN BARS

For office employees who love to hit the gym before or after work, protein bars are a must-eat. They require much less effort than making a smoothie with protein powder every day, plus, they are good for keeping blood sugar balanced throughout busy days.

MusclePharm Organic Protein Bars are a low sugar, low calorie, high protein bar that offers all the lean muscle-building benefits of protein in an all-natural, organic snack bar. The bars are available in two flavors, Chocolate Toffee and Peanut Butter, each containing 15g of protein at only 150 calories. With a delicious taste, they are also a great small meal alternative that will keep your employees feeling full and satisfied throughout the workday.

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The snack products mentioned above, and more, are available through Tyme’s Office Snack Program. We make it easy to bring premium snacks to your office! Sign up now for your free sample and learn more about Tyme’s Snack Program today.