Here are five delicious snack recipe ideas that are perfect for remote workers. These snacks are designed to be prepared ahead of time so they are grab-and-go when you need a pick-me-up. They are also relatively healthy to give you an energy boost without the sugar crash later (yay!). Keep reading for quick snack recipes you can easily make at home to power you through your remote workday.
Benefits of Healthy Snacking
Snacking throughout the day provides important benefits that can improve your productivity and wellbeing when working remotely. Healthy snacks can help:
- Improve energy and focus. Snacks provide a boost of nutrients and fuel for your brain and body to stay energized and focused, especially during the mid-morning or mid-afternoon slump. The right snacks will give you the energy you need to power through the rest of your workday.
- Help maintain blood sugar. Going too long without eating can lead to drops in blood sugar that leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, and unfocused. Well-timed snacks help keep your blood sugar stable so you can avoid energy crashes.
- Bridge the gap between meals. Snacking helps manage hunger between meals so you don’t end up ravenous and overeating at your next meal. Well-balanced snacks keep you feeling satisfied.
Tips for Choosing Healthy Snacks
When working remotely, it can be tempting to graze on unhealthy snacks throughout the day. Here are some tips for choosing satisfying and nutritious snacks while working from home:
- Pick snacks with protein & fiber – Protein and fiber will help you feel fuller longer. Some examples include nuts, nut butters, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, edamame, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain crackers.
- Avoid added sugar – Sugary snacks lead to energy crashes. Go for whole foods without added sugars. If you want something sweet, try fresh fruit or dark chocolate.
- Portion control – Be mindful of portions. Measure out single servings of snacks to prevent overeating. Use small containers and baggies. Grabbing straight from a large package easily leads to oversnacking.
Planning ahead and having healthy snacks on hand will help you stay on track while working remotely. Follow these simple tips to feel energized and productive all day long.
1. Mediterranean Chickpea Snack
This protein-packed chickpea snack comes together in just 5 minutes. It’s loaded with flavor from garlic, lemon, parsley, and olive oil. The chickpeas get crisp in the air fryer, giving you a delicious crunch.
Main ingredients: chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
2. Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix
This protein-packed roasted chickpea snack mix comes together in just 10 minutes of prep time. It’s perfect for munching on when you need a quick pick-me-up while working.
Ingredients:
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Roast the chickpeas in the oven at 400°F for 35-40 minutes, until crispy. Toss occasionally during roasting. Once done, transfer chickpeas to a bowl and toss with the olive oil and spices until coated. Enjoy!
3. Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
These easy peanut butter stuffed dates make for a delicious and nutritious snack that is quick and easy to prep ahead of time.
Ingredients:
- Medjool dates, pitted
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Hemp seeds (optional)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Dates are a great source of fiber and nutrients. Stuffing them with peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats. Sprinkle with hemp seeds for extra crunch and nutrients.
To make, simply cut a slit down the side of each date and fill with about 1/2 to 1 tsp of peanut butter. Press the sides of the date together so the peanut butter is sealed inside. Top with hemp seeds if desired.
These protein-packed bites are perfect for curbing mid-afternoon hunger when working from home. Make a batch ahead of time and have a satisfying snack whenever you need an energy boost.
4. Greek Yogurt Parfait
This protein-packed parfait comes together in just 5 minutes, making it a perfect on-the-go snack when working remotely.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup mixed berries
- 2 Tbsp granola
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Simply layer the yogurt, berries, granola, and chia seeds in a jar or parfait glass. The chia seeds add extra protein and texture, but can be omitted if you prefer. Greek yogurt provides calcium and protein, while the berries add a boost of antioxidants and fiber. It’s a balanced snack that will help you stay energized and focused while working.
5. Berry Banana Smoothie
This smoothie comes together in just a couple minutes and makes for a refreshing, nutrient-dense snack. It provides a boost of energy from natural sugars in the berries and banana along with belly-filling fiber.
Main Ingredients:
- 1 banana
- 1 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 cup milk of your choice (dairy, nut, oat, etc.)
- 1 tbsp almond butter (optional)
Prep Time:
5 minutes
This smoothie is perfect for breakfast on the go or an afternoon pick-me-up when you need a quick, healthy snack to energize you. The frozen berries make it thick and creamy without needing ice. Simply blend all ingredients together until smooth. Top with granola or chia seeds if desired.
Tips for Prepping Ahead
When making snacks to have on hand during your work from home days, it helps to prep ahead in batches. This allows you to make snacks in larger quantities, which saves time. It also helps you avoid scrambling to make something quick when you’re hungry.
Some tips for prepping snacks ahead of time:
- Make large batches – Double or triple recipes so you have plenty of snacks ready to grab from the fridge or freezer. Things like energy bites, muffins, and granola can all be made in big batches.
- Portion into single servings – Once you’ve made a large batch, divide it up into individual portions. Put energy bites or trail mix into small reusable containers or bags. Scoop muffin batter into a muffin tin. This makes for easy grabbing on the go.
- Store properly – Be sure to store your prepped snacks properly to maintain freshness and food safety. Refrigerate perishable items. You can freeze many things like baked goods, energy bites, and meat/cheese snacks for later. Just transfer to the fridge to thaw overnight when ready to eat.
Prepping healthy snacks ahead of time saves you effort throughout your workweek. You’ll always have something easy and nutritious on hand when you need a pick-me-up.
Snacking can be an important part of a healthy diet, especially for remote workers who may not have regular mealtimes. The key is choosing snacks that provide nutrients and satisfy hunger without too many calories.
The recipes shared above are all easy, delicious snacks you can prepare ahead of time in batches. Having pre-portioned snacks on hand will make it much easier to avoid grabbing less healthy convenience foods when hunger strikes.
To recap, aim for snacks that combine protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you full and energized. Some great options are nuts, seeds, hard-boiled eggs, cut-up veggies with hummus, yogurt with fruit, and apple slices with nut butter.
Take time on the weekends to prep your snacks for the week ahead. You can hard boil a dozen eggs, bake a batch of energy bites, chop veggies, and portion out nuts and seeds into single servings. Store snacks in grab-and-go containers so they are easy to take to your workspace or on the go.
Planning ahead removes the decision fatigue of figuring out a snack when you’re already hungry. Having healthy, satisfying snacks within reach will help you stay energized, focused and productive throughout your workday.
