What Are Your Fave Work Snacks for a Desk Job (Preferable Healthy)

TheProcess on 31/10/2018 - 23:34

Hi OzB,

Just started a secondment that will last 6 months ish where I will be sitting down/in a desk ~8 hours a day. This is a different to my previous role where I have been on my feet, walking around, pushing / moving heavy objects (which I enjoy as I think of it as a form of exercise).

I have had admin days on the desk prior, but they have only been a handful of days each month, nothing in long stretches such as this and I have never had more than 2 days in a row where I have sat down the entire day in my career.

What are some work snacks / any tips that you office workers recommend? I prefer to stay away from sugary or unhealthy snacks and have been drinking plenty of water so I can get up and walk to the toilet a few times a day.

After doing a Coles run tonight I only snacks I picked up are some cans of tuna, bananas and nuts to last me the rest of the week lol. Absolute mental blank… and those discounted tim tams were on the corner of every aisle !!!

Cheers in advanced

Food & Grocery

Comments

    • decr on 01/11/2018 - 17:14
      +1

      Try mackarel or sardines with that method. Pheeeew.

  • Baysew on 01/11/2018 - 09:26
    -3

    A lot of offices will have vending machines with an array of snacks, why not just use those?

    (This advice may not reflect the views and values of OzBargain, its employees or members)

    • TheProcess on 01/11/2018 - 09:35

      Vending machines too expensive and the one available to me (i work in are hospital) lack variety. If it was like the vending machines in Japan, maybe a difference story

      The thought that I could buy the same snack at coles / woolies for a fraction of the price deters me

    • footyboy on 01/11/2018 - 20:22

      But what about Japan?!

      • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 01/11/2018 - 23:35

        Japan is more expensive than vending machines.

        • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2018 - 20:13

          plus soiled underwear isn't generally edible

  • Ryanek on 01/11/2018 - 09:28
    +2

    Pumpkin seeds.

  • Quantumcat on 01/11/2018 - 09:42
    +1

    Sultanas,but I make sure to only eat one at a time and do something in between all of them otherwise I go through too many and they're sugary

    Also good are children's apples (small ones). Cut up with a sharp fruit knife and eat the core-free segments at your desk. Healthier than sultanas or nuts.

  • pantsparty on 01/11/2018 - 09:42

    Morning snack - peanut butter on a good quality bread, afternoon snack - an orange or banana. Easy!

  • JimmyF on 01/11/2018 - 09:50
    +12

    cans of tuna

    Don't be that office person……

    • MessyG on 01/11/2018 - 20:37
      +3

      The sound of that lid being peeled back… shudder

      • Butterfly Gocha on 01/11/2018 - 22:40

        You haven’t smelled microwaved eggs with tuna….every morning

        • johnno07 on 02/11/2018 - 02:03

          Good lord.

        • MessyG on 02/11/2018 - 19:08

          Literally no words. Wouldn't want to be next to them in the bathroom stalls good god.

    • johnno07 on 02/11/2018 - 02:03
      +3

      I love tuna - but I would never bring it to the office.

      • JimmyF on 02/11/2018 - 09:32
        +2

        ^^^^ YES…. Be like Johnno. Tuna has a time and place and the office isn't that place.

  • slow on 01/11/2018 - 09:56

    Breakfast, lunch, dinner….. why is it necessary to snack in between?

  • Munki on 01/11/2018 - 10:25

    Dried cuttlefish or squid.

  • CheapskateJake on 01/11/2018 - 10:25

    I don't really prepare or bring lunch to work as sometimes I don't have enough time to eat it. I only bring an apple (which I consider a snack), and leave Skyflakes and cans of tuna, as well as nuts and low sugar beef jerky. All relatively easy to eat and protein rich (but not cheap), except for the apple.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 10:29

    This week it's cheap rockmelon and cucumber. A cold small nashi apple/pear is an indulgence.

    • suchcha on 01/11/2018 - 12:48

      Cucumbers are becoming a luxury..

      • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 12:59

        True, though $1 each for continental cucumbers at Woolies is pretty good.

      • syousef on 01/11/2018 - 16:12

        Cucumbers are seasonal.

        I remember when lemons were cheap. Now a kid running a lemonade stand needs a mortgage.

        • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 01/11/2018 - 23:37

          Not if you grow your own.

          What a silly comment!

          • syousef on 02/11/2018 - 14:17

            @Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead: What is silly is the price of lemons at Coles/Woolies. Not everyone has the time, space, money or inclination to grow their own lemons. If you like gardening and have somewhere to do it, more power to you.

  • 0FoxGiven on 01/11/2018 - 10:30

    Yogurt and canned tuna

  • ChillBro on 01/11/2018 - 10:34
    +3

    Whatever I can find in the shared fridge.

    • TheProcess on 01/11/2018 - 10:44

      Lmao! you are that guy.. food thief

      • Munki on 01/11/2018 - 13:56

        No, he's chillbro.

    • anastasiastarz on 10/11/2018 - 00:34

      lol did you read about two girls, many emails and a sandwich?

      • ChillBro on 10/11/2018 - 01:38

        Lol just googled it. The woman who accused her sandwich ingredients were taken? Funny read.

  • Diji1 on 01/11/2018 - 10:52
    +3

    Snacks were invented in the 1970s as a way to sell more food by normalising eating constantly.

    They did this via TV advertising which is impossible because advertising doesn't effect anybody according to fools.

    People started eating between the three meals and obesity became a problem for 70% of the population.

    • orangetrain on 01/11/2018 - 10:54

      Celery snacks still ok? Net energy loss for people.

    • TheProcess on 01/11/2018 - 11:03
      +1

      What if I'm trying to put on weight?

      • owli on 02/11/2018 - 12:37

        If there is free milk, drink that.

        Also macadamia nuts are high calorie.

        If most of your physical activity throughout the week was because of the nature of you previous job, I would encourage you to workout 3+ times a week.

    • star-ggg on 01/11/2018 - 11:29

      And it dosen't matter how "healthy" your snacks are. Extra calories is going to result in extra kg on the bathroom scale.

    • happirt on 01/11/2018 - 12:01

      Kit Kat first appeared in the 1920s though….

      that's just one example…

      • anastasiastarz on 10/11/2018 - 00:34

        Oh how I miss back when they were wrapped in crinkly foil!

    • kyttiekat on 01/11/2018 - 17:03

      Some people need to have a light snack every 2-3hrs to keep hunger at bay, or for medical reasons eg history of eating disorders or stability of blood sugar.

      Of course, the main meals become a bit smaller to compensate.

    • MessyG on 01/11/2018 - 20:38
      +1

      Wow I did not know this, nothing like some anti-commercialism fire to stop me eating - cheers!

    • Mombles on 02/11/2018 - 09:54

      You get away from my snacks now!

  • orangetrain on 01/11/2018 - 10:53
    -2

    Coffee/water only.

    I refuse to eat snacks at work because cleaners never clean keyboards, chairs, etc. And I cbf washing my hands every tine i want to pick up a nibble. It's a hassle to get a fork and plate from kitchen.

    You'll see what I mean in the cold/flu season!

    • Craze on 01/11/2018 - 11:28
      +8

      Wow, you expect cleaners to clean your keyboards and chairs??

      I keep a spray and cloth at my desk and do a quick 5s clean in the morning before I start work. Take responsibility for your own hygiene standards?

    • John Kimble on 01/11/2018 - 11:40

      Yeah, pretty sure they've done studies and office desks/equipment are infested with germs. More hygenic to eat in the toilet.

      If I do eat "lunch" at work, it's in the break room or out somewhere. I find it inconsiderate to others to eat at your work station/desk.

      • Zedsdeadbabyzedsdead on 01/11/2018 - 23:41
        +1

        "Yeah, if you eat it. Usually I just have dinner. Lately I'm having breakfast and dinner."

        and sometimes in the toilet…

  • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 11:31
    +5

    Durian

    • Munki on 01/11/2018 - 13:58

      Followed by jack fruit.

  • Doggiie on 01/11/2018 - 11:31
    +1

    I do blueberries, but they can be a little expensive.

    • MementoMori on 01/11/2018 - 12:10

      $1.99 a punnet at Aldi at the moment!

  • ensanguined on 01/11/2018 - 11:34

    I eat a Carmens Original Fruit Free Muesli Bar when I get peckish. So good!

    • MessyG on 01/11/2018 - 20:38

      The high protein choc-cranberry ones are amazing too.

  • unqualified89 on 01/11/2018 - 11:39
    +1

    I have the following at my desk always:
    Nuts, Fruit, Cans of Tuna, Microwaveable rice, container of oatmeal, baked beans and Mi Goreng (for emergencies haha. I also generally have a loaf of wholemeal bread each week + avo, vegemite etc. I find oatmeal in the morning, banana & almonds morning tea, tuna & rice for lunch (or packed salad, leftovers etc), and piece of toast with avo in the arvo gets me through the day without being hungry and snacking. All of the things I buy are either things that last long (and you can buy enough on sale to get you through to the next sale) or things that I eat everyday.

    • decr on 01/11/2018 - 17:20

      Do you actually work or do you spend your time contemplating on what to eat/concoct next? :)

      • unqualified89 on 02/11/2018 - 17:26
        +1

        I try and work as little as possible. Between making food and ozbargaining for tuna i dont get much done.

    • smartazz104 on 01/11/2018 - 18:39
      +5

      This is less a desk and more a pantry.

      • unqualified89 on 02/11/2018 - 17:32
        +1

        Haha that is what the people at work say. It mostly fits into my food drawer in my cabinet. We have a kfc next door so i have stay full enough to stave off urges for popcorn chicken buckets and 9 pieces for $9.95 on tuesdays

  • DiscoJango on 01/11/2018 - 11:46
    +1

    Durian

    • happirt on 01/11/2018 - 12:04

      bwhaha

  • minniethemoocher on 01/11/2018 - 12:26
    +1

    Cherry tomatoes, dates, rice crackers

  • gsmMASHA on 01/11/2018 - 12:38

    Almonds

  • chocoteddy on 01/11/2018 - 12:47

    The office vending machine might be expensive; but that doesn't mean you can't get some ideas from it.

  • abuch47 on 01/11/2018 - 12:59

    Canned tuna/salmon, muesli bars, nuts, vegie sticks, crackers and cheese. It's good to have 5ish SMALLER meals rather than less bigger ones. Most importantly is to offset your sedentary career with exercise and do what you can while at work like stretch your legs, get a adjustable desk to swap between standing/sitting, footrest, ergonomic chair and layout. Drink plenty of water is the best health remedy ever. Coffee.

  • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 13:23

    Create a little office mischief by leaving anonymous unhealthy snacking demerits post it notes on random desks.

  • hawkeye on 01/11/2018 - 14:05
    +4

    Surströmming on water crackers with blue vein cheese.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 01/11/2018 - 14:27

    Trick is to avoid carbs.

    Sirena tinned tuna
    Unsalted mixed nuts
    Eggs (using microwave poacher)
    Beef jerky
    Celery and carrot sticks
    Copious amounts of plunger coffee

    • DiscoJango on 01/11/2018 - 18:15
      +2

      The trick is to avoid going to work

  • beerpara on 01/11/2018 - 14:54

    Don't eat canned tuna at your desk. It's stinky for others who work nearby.

    • Frankenbeanie on 01/11/2018 - 16:00
      -1

      Also i heard it has got mercury and shouldnt be consumed daily.

      • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 17:54

        Mercury poisoning in adults mainly leads to madness, but importantly, at a rate slower than the wider world is descending. You don't want to be the designated driver at this party.

  • Frankenbeanie on 01/11/2018 - 16:00

    Depends on your daily recommended intake.

    If you are lacking calories then may be you can consume some high caloric snacks like nuts or wholemeal bread peanut butter sandwich.

    If you are already meeting or are near your daily quota then may be a piece of fruit or/with low fat cottage cheese.

    I myself have a protien supplement with low fat milk plus a banana before going to the gym but if I am not going to the gym then i usually eat no snacks or just a piece of fruit(whatever i can find on the free fruit day).

  • AustriaBargain on 01/11/2018 - 16:20

    One cup of instant coffee per hour, to keep putting off the caffeine migraine.

    • smartazz104 on 01/11/2018 - 18:40

      There's about as much caffeine in instant coffee as in cardboard.

      • AustriaBargain on 01/11/2018 - 19:15
        +1

        That's why you gotta drink so much of it.

  • justwaitingforamate on 01/11/2018 - 16:24

    OK so for snacks I do Boiled eggs (preboiled as they last well in the fridge). As everyone else has said nuts and seeds are great too, fruit, dried fish from asian grocer (not everones cup of tea), Miso satchels in cup. I love cucumbers or red capsicums for snacks too.
    I have various office lunches that I do using only a kettle and microwave, I had microwaved "baked" potatoes for lunch today, sometimes do microwaved poached eggs on spinach. At the place I am 3 days a week there is a large sandwich press and I take pre made refried beans and make quesadillas (take packet of tortillas and a satchel of grated cheese both last quite a while). These are good back up if you are unorganised with premade lunches.
    Also if not too concerned on healthiness a bag of dim sims in the freezer for a quick microwave snack are decent (done with water).

  • desert eagle on 01/11/2018 - 16:30

    Agree with getting cheap, healthy snacks. High fat/protein snacks like boiled eggs and nuts seem to work well for me. When I'm lazy I pack a protein shake.

    Just don't forget to stretch, get fresh air and go for a walk periodically.

  • Gelato on 01/11/2018 - 16:33

    Eclipse

  • bargdebarg on 01/11/2018 - 16:43

    Cheese and cracker
    Musuli bars
    Fruit
    Nuts
    Popcorn
    Veg sticks with or without hummus
    Celery sticks with peanut butter

  • blehgg on 01/11/2018 - 17:01

    cans of tuna, lots and lots of cans of tuna

  • Lockieasy on 01/11/2018 - 17:11
    +2

    Usually just the tears of my fallen enemies.

  • Brouw3r on 01/11/2018 - 17:25

    I bring my own instant coffee because I can't stand the Nescafe blend 43 the office stocks. Occasionally have gum but no real food other than lunch unless someone brings in a birthday cake.

    Probably worth noting if you're significantly changing your daily activity from moving a lot to an desk job with more eating, you're almost definitely going to gain weight.

  • MessyG on 01/11/2018 - 20:47

    If you're just snacking due to boredom, I'd actually go for a walk around the block outside to clear your head a bit. But as a copious snacker, my favourites would be:

    Strong black coffee plus a banana - I don't know why but this is really filling.
    Carman's high protein muesli bar plus a drink.
    Make a green smoothie at home: throw spinach or kale, a chopped apple, mint and some water into the blender, put it in a bottle and bring it to work. People may think you're nuts but it's not like you're bringing in canned tuna. Kale is the best because it's really tasteless. You can buy frozen berries if you want more sweetness and add those too.
    Banana smoothie - a banana, milk, and protein powder is pretty good, I like a tablespoon of the saltiest crunchiest peanut butter I can find in mine.

    Or, eat lunch at 11.30am (especially if you're getting up early or not eating breakfast). Then around 2.30 have a decent-sized snack. If you can use your snacks to add protein or vegetables to your diet, you're doing well.

  • DonWilson on 01/11/2018 - 21:07

    If you're going from a physical job to a non-physical job it's probably best to not snack. A really physical job can easily add 1,000kCal of work to your day and you're used to eating the entire time to compensate for that. Shifting to a non-physical job you're best off holding out until meal times.

  • Retailrecommprice on 01/11/2018 - 21:08
    +1

    Snacks invented in 1970 LOL stupidest comment I've read to date

  • khomeini on 01/11/2018 - 21:11

    Topz Crackers from Aldi
    Exactly the same as Ritz cRACKERS (or Snax in NZ)

  • gimli on 01/11/2018 - 21:46

    Lobster

  • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2018 - 22:04

    Cacao nibs, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, and roasted almonds. Also cup of tea with honey every now and then;

    Pine nut is not for everyone though, can mess with body and mouth. I have never had any issues but quite large proportion of people who eat have

  • Flanders on 01/11/2018 - 23:08

    Honestly, Sounds like you want to snack out of boredom anticipated with new desk job .
    Maybe don't do the desk job is it is going to be that frustrating for you.
    And definitely do not deal with boredom by snacking. A very slippery slope to start down. Will most probably end up obese and then more unhappy with the desk job, because not only will you be exercising less, but also you will be eating more.
    There is no such thing as healthy snacking, if eating extra out of boredom

    • TheProcess on 02/11/2018 - 01:34

      Not sure how this will be taken - but body weight and potentially getting obese does not cross my mind at all. If it was, I wouldn’t have posted this thread as it would be extremely stupid. I am lucky to have a fast metabolism and playing sports multiple times a week with regular exercise helps. In fact, if anything, I wish I could put on an extra 2-5 kg.

      In my experience, when I’m at the desk I “feel” the hunger allot more than when I’m moving around. As when I’m on the go, I don’t have the luxury of eating/snacking. Hence, I was just seeing if I could get some healthier snack options other than chips or Tim tams.

      I disagree with your final point. I guess depending on an individual’s lifestyle, medical history, BMI and various other factors etc - your perception on whether or not one can “healthily snack” might differ.

  • dust on 02/11/2018 - 00:39

    Fruit (fresh or dried) is not a bad option.

  • devilbabies on 02/11/2018 - 01:59
    +1

    nacho hat

  • Tasmaniac on 02/11/2018 - 02:24
    +1

    Tiger prawns. It's the practical answer.

  • sghetti on 02/11/2018 - 07:20

    Bananas, don’t forget to stand and stretch every 30-60 mins. If the office has any standing desks, make sure to utilise them every now and then

  • purplelady on 02/11/2018 - 10:04

    chips :D though it's not healthy :/

  • Giamsiap on 02/11/2018 - 11:10

    catering leftovers from meetings, morning teas or afternoon teas!

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