9 Protein-Filled Office Snacks with Muscle

While you might plan out every meal throughout the day with careful consideration of your diet, those unconscious snacking moments in between pieces of paperwork at the office can be a huge problem when it comes to unwanted weight gain. Most of the time, we reach for food without even realizing that we’re doing it, as a way to break up the moments between tapping at the keyboard and making another important phone call.

We’ve already covered some of the that you can use to stave off hunger during the 9 to 5 drill, but if you’re looking for something new to spice up your days, there are plenty of other options out there. Try some of the following snacks as an ideal way to cut down fat, and build up healthy muscle.

1. Dried Fruit

As you should already know, fresh fruit is a fantastic snack option, but if you’re worried about finding a place for all of that fruit in your desk drawer, you could always mix things up with a selection of dried raisins, apricots, bananas, and apples. This combination of sweet snacks is high in fiber, high in potassium, and chewy enough to satisfy your stomach.

And because it is not a salty or a sugary snack, you may not have to share any of it with your work neighbors.

2. Dark Chocolate and Figs

If you’re finding it hard to ignore your nagging sweet tooth, stay away from the vending machine and create your own treat instead. Dark chocolate and figs are a delicious combo full of antioxidants, fiber, and potassium. They’re also a sagacious way to fight back against inflammation.

That vending machine may not even work for you anyhow. Who wants to be beating on a vending machine with everyone watching anyhow? Those orange peanut butter crackers they sell in vending machines are terrible as well. They are loaded in salt and calories, do not taste that well, and will therefore cause you to be very thirsty. Do you want get something done during the day or be constantly drinking water?

3. Fresh Vegetables

While fresh vegetables are generally more perishable than other snacks, they’re one of the best things you can munch on during a busy day. Carrots and other portable vegetables are a judicious way to fill up your stomach, and they’re so low in calories that you won’t have to worry about eating too much. If you want to boost up flavor and protein, stash some hummus in the fridge at your office or a cooler if you want to bring that to your office or cubicle every day.

4. Hard-boiled Eggs

The great thing about hard-boiled eggs, is that you can make them on a Sunday night, and start Monday with plenty of snacks for the remainder of the week. Slice up your eggs and add a little pepper and salt for extra flavor. The protein is lean enough to keep you slim, and full until dinner!

They taste so good as well.

5. Crunchy Chickpeas

Prepared well, chickpeas can be crunchy, spicy, and salty – just like your favorite packet of chips. However, instead of just padding your waistline, chickpeas introduce some protein into your daily diet. Just try to control your portions wherever possible, as chickpeas can quickly become addictive.

You can perhaps get some of the salt off of them by running them through water in one of those pans or kitchen instruments with the holes in them.

6. Lean Turkey

If you’re packing a sandwich for lunch, one of the best fillings you can choose has to be delicious cooked turkey. Low-calorie turkey is a perfect source of lean protein, as three ounces can provide as much as 25 grams of protein with only 140 calories. Stay away from deli slices where you can, as they’re often quite high in protein.

7. A Cup of Yogurt

Obviously this snack can only really be a good idea if you have access to your office refrigerator or again, if you want to bring a small cooler with you to work every day. With that in mind, yogurt is a fantastic afternoon snack, so long as you stay away from the type with tons of sugary jam, or chocolaty biscuits. Dress your yogurt yourself with fresh nuts, honey, and fruit for plenty of flavor.

8. Home made Chips

If chickpeas aren’t enough to stem your cravings for chips, then try to avoid the unhealthy saturated fats you find in the average packet by making your own instead. When you make your own chips, you can control the amount of salt and oil that goes into each batch.

9. Take-away Tuna

The already-prepared pouches or tins of tuna that don’t need draining to eat, and last for what seems like a lifetime in your kitchen cupboards are a poignant way to boost your energy and brain power throughout the day. All you need to do is pack a fork, and you have a stellar high-protein snack that doesn’t leave you looking for ways to burn off the extra calories. Plus, ready-tuna now comes with a variety of different marinades to choose from.