Your schedule can be downright crazy, so it's important to always have some healthy snacks for your life on the go. Because, let's be honest, you probably aren't going to see your apartment again until way later tonight. And finding time to stop for a healthy lunch? Forget it.
If you don't prepare yourself with snacks for a busy day, it can be easy to simply forgo eating altogether, which is not healthy and can leave you feeling dizzy and lightheaded. Don't let yourself look up at 4 p.m. with the realization that you haven't eaten since morning. And don't let yourself get so desperate that you end up eating old crackers out of your desk drawer. Yuck.
I know the feeling, as I'm always running around like a crazy person myself. So much so that several times I've considered getting into those boxed Lunchables as an adult. My mom would never let me have them growing up because she preferred making her own lunches for my little kindergarten self (which really, I did appreciate). The appeal of those easy, portable snacks still gets me to this very day. But alas, my palette has changed, and I'm also now wildly aware of things like salt content and saturated fat.
With a little preparation, it's possible to throw together some snacks that you can carry around with you in your bag, or keep in your desk. It won't be quite as easy as buying Lunchables, but it's going to be way healthier and more delicious.
Here are some healthy, easy, portable snack ideas to keep you nourished all day long.
1. Ants On A Log
This snack has a bunch of different names. According to writer Kate Morin for the health website Greatist, they are called Nut Butter Boats. All you have to do is cut up celery sticks (or apple slices if you hate celery) and smear them with your choice of nut butter, such as almond, cashew, walnut, or peanut. Then top them with some almonds or raisins. Throw them in a little plastic baggie, and you are good to go with a healthy, protein-filled snack.
2. Beef Jerky
Even though you're probably only going to work, and not crossing the country on the Oregon Trail, you may still want to consider beef jerky as a good on-the-go snack. It has a lot of protein, and doesn't need to be refrigerated. Make it yourself on the weekend and feel proud of your snack creation all week long, or you can just buy some and throw it in your purse. Either way, it's going to keep you feeling full throughout the day.
3. Eggs, Eggs, Eggs
Hard boil some eggs, slice them up, and throw them in the fridge at work for your all-day snacking pleasure. Eggs have a lot of nutrients that will keep your energy levels high. According to Leslie Bonci, RD, for Prevention, "Eggs really are one of nature's most perfect portable foods. Packed with protein and antioxidants, they satisfy your hunger and improve your health. Along with the usual protein punch, these edible orbs also deliver 10 times more vitamin E and two times more omega-3 fatty acids than other eggs."
4. Throw A Smoothie In Your Thermos
No one is more envied than the person standing on the subway with a delicious, homemade drink in hand. Be this person by making your own smoothies. According to Eating Well, all you need is some berries, a banana, apple juice, and silken tofu (oh, and a blender) and you'll have yourself quite the nice beverage to take with you.
5. DIY Trail Mix
Trail mix is something easy to throw together because you can literally just, throw it together. Mix together some cranberries, raisins, popcorn, nuts, chocolate chips, pretzels, or whatever else you'd like to eat that day. But if you need a little inspiration, here is a recipe.
6. Hummus In A Jar
Put hummus on the bottom of a mason jar, and then vertically stack carrots, pea pods, or celery sticks on top. A thicker hummus will work better so that it all remains mess-free.
Make sure you always have a snack with you, and you'll never be hungry, sluggish, or malnourished again.
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