Working from home? Here are seven healthy hunger-busting snacks for inspo

Working from home can be hard. Yes, it’s flexible, cuts out the commute and allows for a little extra sleep – but it also has it’s challenges. One such challenge is the constant temptation of your fridge and pantry being within arm’s reach at all times. Hello non-stop snacking!

While practising mindful eating is the best way out of that predicament, stocking your kitchen with healthier foods will at least ensure that what you’re putting in your mouth is doing your body good.

Plus, whole food snacks tend to provide low-GI carbs and more hunger-busting protein and fibre than traditional snack foods (like chips and lollies), so you’ll feel more satisfied and, in turn, less likely to visit the kitchen again soon.

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To give you a little healthy snacking inspo, here are my top seven dietitian-approved snacks that are quick n’ easy to fit into your work day.

1. Homemade smoothie

A cup of milk, a frozen banana and a handful of berries makes for a well-balanced snack to satisfy your sweet tooth. While the milk provides hunger-busting protein and bone-strengthening calcium, the fruit is a good source of satisfying fibre.

Tasty – tick. Good-for-you – tick. Calorie-controlled – tick.

2. Veggie sticks and hummus

You’ve heard dietitians bang on and on about eating your veggies, and that’s because they’re the bees knees when it comes to nutrition. Jam-packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, we should all be eating at least five serves of veg every single day.

In reality, however, that almost never happens. So, if you need to up your veggie intake, your snacks are a good place to start. Pair them with a yummy dip like hummus or tzatziki to liven them up a little if you need.

3. Hard-boiled eggs

A snacking staple in my household, a couple of hard-boiled eggs provides a protein punch, along with stacks of other good-for-you nutrients including heart-healthy fats, energising iron and vitamin D for healthy bones. They’re also naturally perfectly portioned, with just 150 calories per couple.

4. Handful of nuts

Nuts about nuts? You’ll be pleased to know that all nuts get the tick of approval in my books.

Nuts provide plant-based protein, heart-healthy fats and gut-loving fibre, along with essential micronutrients like energising iron and zinc for wound healing. I recommend enjoying 30 grams of raw, unsalted nuts every single day.

5. Fresh fruit – whatever is in season!

Two serves of fruit is your target each day, and making a habit of eating fruit for morning and afternoon tea is a great way to ensure you’re hitting that goal.

Ignore what fad diets try to tell you – all fruit is good for you and no, it doesn’t contain too much sugar. Simply enjoy what’s in season and you’re on the right track.

6. Whole grain crackers and peanut butter

In contrast to refined grains, whole grains provide far more nutrients – so it’ll pay to make the swap where you can. Instead of the go-to melt-in-your-mouth snacking crackers, a crunchy, grainy variety is a far healthier choice.

Top them with natural peanut butter and voila, you’ve got a super healthy snack on your hands that provides both long lasting energy and good-for-you fats.

7. Yoghurt and berries

Also on high rotation in my snacking repertoire, yoghurt and berries is another good choice when you’re feeling like something sweet. I like to heat up a handful of frozen berries in the microwave, mash them with the back of a fork to release the juices and then stir them through plain yoghurt. Delicious.

Melissa Meier is a Sydney-based accredited practising dietitian. You can connect with her on Instagram @honest_nutrition.