Feeling hungry at work is distracting to say the least. When we’re not properly fueled, we can feel tired, unfocused, and even a little grumpy (aka hangry).
We’ve rounded up easy snacks for work that will help keep your energy going and stave off that afternoon slump. Need some work snack ideas to have on hand for when hunger hits? Read on!
Snacks to Keep at Your Desk
Always be prepared by stashing these easy snacks for work in your lunch bag or desk drawer:
- Trail mix. Kicking off our list of the best snacks for work we have trail mix. Combine nuts, dried fruits, seeds, and granola, and portion out into individual zip-top baggies.
- Yogurt. A source of protein and probiotics, yogurt is a tasty and filling snack. Add some honey, granola, or chopped fresh fruit for extra flair.
- Cheese and whole grain crackers. This classic combo delivers a satisfying combination of protein and carbohydrates.
- Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks. Made with real fruit surrounded by creamy yogurt, Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks offer a fun surprise for the taste buds. These packaged snacks for work are an excellent source of Vitamins A & C, and a good source of Vitamin D and Calcium.
- Protein bars. Protein bars make great brain power snacks. Choose bars with minimal added sugars and a good balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you energized.
- Nut butter with whole wheat crackers or rice cakes. Spread peanut butter or almond butter on whole wheat bread or rice cakes.
- Hard-boiled eggs. A great source of protein, hard-boiled eggs are one of our favorite work snack ideas. They’re easy to prepare in advance and keep in the office fridge.
- Dried seaweed snacks. For unique and nutritious snacks to keep at your desk, try roasted seaweed snacks or dried edamame for a crunchy and protein-rich option.
- Dark chocolate. Choose 70 percent cacao or higher for a sweet afternoon treat that delivers antioxidants.
Simple Lunch Ideas for Work
Deciding what to eat for lunch at work every day can get monotonous. Buying lunch is pricey and isn’t always the healthiest option. But bringing in the same old sandwiches can get repetitive and boring.
Here are some ideas for what to pack for lunch at work that strike the perfect balance between convenient, nutritious, and quick to assemble. Plus, these easy lunch ideas are also completely customizable to your dietary needs and tastes and make great school lunch ideas as well.
- Quinoa bowl. Combine cooked quinoa with black beans, corn, sliced avocado, salsa, and a squeeze of lime.
- Caprese wrap. Choose your favorite wrap variety and stuff it with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and balsamic dressing.
- Vegetarian stir-fry. Saute vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas, and add cooked chicken or cubed tofu. Season with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
- Mason jar salad. Next on our list of what to pack for lunch at work is a mason jar salad. Add dressing to the bottom of a mason jar, then layer with cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, salad greens, chickpeas, and shredded parmesan. Shake it up and enjoy!
- Tuna salad pita pocket. Mix canned tuna with mayo or Greek yogurt, then add chopped celery, chopped onion, and salt and pepper. Scoop it into a pita pocket and add lettuce leaves and sliced tomato.
- Mediterranean pasta salad. Combine cooked pasta with crumbled feta, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Greek dressing, and oregano. Easy lunch ideas like this one are a great way to use up extra cooked pasta or leftover salad veggies from the night before.
- Baked sweet potato. Last on our list of simple lunch ideas for work is a baked sweet potato. Add your favorite toppings, such as black beans, sour cream, salsa, or crumbled bacon.
Include a side in your lunch bag to complete your meal. Some of the best snacks for work in the savory category include chips, pickles, coleslaw, potato salad, or veggie sticks.
For convenient lunch snacks designed to satisfy that post-meal sweet tooth, try pre-portioned chocolate covered almonds, frozen grapes, a pudding cup, or creamy and delicious Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks.
Best Snacks for an Office Meeting or Party
Now that we’ve covered what to eat at your desk and what to pack for lunch at work, let’s look at some work snack ideas for large groups.
The best snacks for work gatherings and meetings are fun and shareable options that invite people to interact. Remember to choose foods that appeal to a wide audience and take dietary restrictions or allergies into consideration.
From savory options for a light group lunch to sweet indulgences for an afternoon party, here are some easy snacks for work gatherings:
- Pretzel nuggets. Serve soft pretzel nuggets with a side of mustard or cheese dip.
- Cheese and crackers platter. Offer up a variety of cheeses with different types of crackers. Consider including gluten-free crackers or mini rice cakes for anyone following a gluten-free lifestyle.
- Assorted nuts. Serve a mix of almonds, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios for a protein-rich snack. Have some nut-free options on the side for those with allergies.
- Fruit or veggie platters. Serve a colorful assortment of fresh fruits, like grapes, berries, melon, and pineapple—or make a platter with cut-up veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers with a side of hummus or tzatziki.
- Yogurt parfait station. Let people make their own yogurt parfaits with toppings like granola, fresh fruit, and slivered almonds. Add an unexpected topping option to your yogurt station with delicious Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks.
- Popcorn bar. Set up a popcorn station with different seasonings like parmesan, white cheddar, or chili powder.
- Bruschetta or caprese skewers. Serve skewers with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Finger foods that don’t require utensils are always good lunch snacks for work to enjoy as a group.
- Mini sandwiches or wraps. Offer a variety of mini sandwiches or wraps with different fillings. Or serve deli meat and cheese rollups as a low-carb option. These convenient lunch snacks can also double as a light meal.
- Dessert assortment. Put out a platter of pastries, muffins, donut holes, and cookies to satisfy those sweet cravings.
- Chocolate fondue with dippables. If you’re having an office celebration such as a holiday party, a fondue station is guaranteed to be a big hit. Serve melted chocolate with different dippables, like strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzels.
That concludes our roundup of the best snacks for work! We hope we inspired you to embrace the importance of snacking at work and encouraged you to try some new snacks to keep at your desk—including delicious and portable Welch’s® Fruit ’n Yogurt Snacks!
