Need ideas for snacking at work, tell me your faves!

[ddelicious]

I need ideas for snacks to bring to work to sustain me between meals. Any ideas are appreciated, both healthy and not!

Thanks!

[Chew on That]

I often bring in:

-fruit cups
-yogurt
-Snyder's pretzel pieces (although not the least messy snack...)
-Milano cookies
-cereal (and milk)

[smalt]

Time for an updated list of desk food? I have sugary stuff in the bottom desk drawer (mixed chocolates, gummy bears, bags of dried fruit, small packs of cookies, etc) and the saltier stuff on the top of my desk (pistachios, peanuts, chips, etc). Sometimes I'll do a custom mix of goldfish crackers, pretzels, cheetos, corn chips and toss it all into a big plastic jar. We're in a Tim's Hawiann BBQ chips/blue corn chips/guacamole chips/jalapaneo cheddar chips phase at the moment.......

My desk is usually a featured stop on any tour of the floor...My coworkers either bring stuff to add to the mix or else give me cash donations to keep the supplies stocked.

The worst contribution so far has been the pickled sausages and the tiny dried crabs....

[corneggs]

I'm replying to a pretty old

Yogurt
Grapes
Prunes
Almonds
Cashews

I used to bring bananas but they stink up my bag and the office.

[swissgirl]

Soy nuts. My fave is hickory flavored.

Chex Mix (I'm currently enjoying Apple Cinnamon)

In season - Strawberries dipped in Splenda

[Melanie]

Every day I have to grab a bag of soy crips. They satisfy my crunchy/salty craving and also have a good amount of protein.

A bagel (or half) with peanut butter is also quite good.

[camp1980]

I am in love with Kellogg's All Bran bars. I buy them in a box of 20 from either Costco or Loblaws for around $8 - $9. They taste great and are loaded with fibre so they fill you up.

I always laugh when I see the commerical for them cause it is true that no one believes that they actually taste good. But they do!

[The Dairy Queen]

For salty and crunchy, I like these packs of toasted seaweed I've been picking up at my local Asian market. I'm not even sure what brand is is: Doshirak Gim? (or, is that the name of the item.) Distributed by Pulmuone USA. 50 calories per pack, 20 from fat.

~TDQ

[KCJ]

String cheese
Bon Belle cheese
Jerky
Yogurt
Dried fruit
Nuts
Yogurt fruit smoothie
Cheese and/or peanut butter crackers
Popcorn Puffs
Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix
Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Mix
Reese's Pieces
Chocolate Covered Cookie Dough
Malted Milk Balls with a layer of peanut butter just under the chocolate coating
Sugar-free hard candies (Russell Stovers are my favs)

I really like the Thai Kitchen Noodle Cart products, especially the Thai Peanut Instant Rice & Sauce and the Pad Thai. They are individual servings and include a plastic spoon, too. Thai Kitchen also has some tasty individual soup bowls. My local Walgreen's sells these Thai Kitchen individual serving packages for about $1.79 but I stock up when they run their 2-for-1 or $1 each sales.
http://www.thaikitchen.com

[LindaWhit]

"A Fig Walks Into a Bar" or "An Apple Walks Into a Bar"
(both from Trader Joe's)

The old standby, Ritz crackers and peanut butter

Cottage Cheese and pineapple (if you have fridge access)

Homemade snack mix using TJs Oriental Rice Crackers Mix, dried edamame, Sweet, Savory & Tart Trek Mix, and whole dry-roasted, less salt almonds and cashews.

Total Yogurt with chopped candied ginger and pom seeds, if available

[The Engineer]

When the vending machine is my only option, I like to mix a bag of plain M&Ms with a bag or two of mini pretzels. (a little melty, but delicious)

[Emme]

Cottage cheese with salsa
Scooped baked potato skins filled w/ whatever floats my boat
Rotisserie chicken breast
Apple/Pear/Persimmon and some cheese to stabilize the ol' blood sugar
Dry cereal (high fiber/protein) w/ nonfat Total yogurt
Mini fiber bran muffins from TJ's (Zen Bakery)
Grilled veggies w/ Balsamic Vinegar
Tortilla and cheese for a quesadilla-- love that soy cheese blend from TJ's with the La Tortilla factory... like 160 calories and 16 g of fiber by the time all is said and done

[Jacey]

soy nuts
laughing cow cheese
hardboil eggs
tamari almonds
hot chocolate
cottage cheese
baby carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers--sometimes dipped in hummus or a dressing
cold roasted cauliflower "salad"

-i obviously rely on a fridge for my snacking

[BellaDonna]

Bananas
Apples
Clementines
Grapes
Baby carrots
Celery with peanut butter
Mozarella string cheese (low fat and has protein)
Dark chocolate squares
Those kiddy fruit snacks
Nuts (especially cashews)

Sometimes I cut slices of different cheeses (such as gruyere) and eat those with crackers

[piccola]

At the office, I try to avoid things that a) smell strongly, b) give bad breath, or c) are messy/complicated to eat.

Some things I bring:

baby carrots
grapes
cherry tomatoes
sugar snap peas
babybel light cheese
edamame
chestnuts
steamed veggie dumplings
freeze-dried fruit (like TJ's)

Sometimes I have those 100-calorie packs of graham crackers, or Glenny's Soy Crisps. And maybe once a year, I splurge on the Pop Tarts.

[orangewasabi]

Hummus, as others have said, but with endive leaves for scoops.

I also love one slice of black rye toasted, cut into four squares with sundried tomato pesto as a snack.

[jpschust]

I snack on raw almonds all day. Sometimes clementines or apples.

[fara]

me too. i threw in hazlenuts and walnuts as well.

[Pegmeister]

I generally have ginger candies. They're great for making ginger tea as well!

[The Dairy Queen]

Great idea on the ginger tea!

~TDQ

[LaLa]

I also like the Nabisco Snack packs.
Cheese / crackers
Summer sausage
almonds
string cheese
popcorn...the cajun kind
little baggie of ceral

http://www.shoplateda.com

[Newkie]

Almonds
Instant Oatmeal
Dried Fruit
Roast Edamame
Wasabi Peas
TJ's Soy Tortilla Chips
Popcorn
Nabisco 100 Calorie Snack Packs (I know they aren't very Chow, but they are perfectly portioned when you want a little something)

[Leper]

A big thermos of Menudo will get you through.

[2m8ohed]

Second the Japanese rice crackers and miso soup mix (I get it at the Japanese or Chinese supermarket in a 10-pack). Cereal and soy milk (which comes in little boxes if you don't have a fridge - I have a little dorm fridge in my office). Apple slices with peanut butter dip (PB + plain yogurt + honey whisked together) or x-sharp cheddar cheese. Satsuma mandarins. Salad, tuna, and a bottle of my favorite dressing in the office fridge. Trail mix. Secret bar of Valhrona. I have to close my office door before digging in to a lot of this stuff!

[AnneInMpls]

Like C70, I really LOVE carrot sticks and hummos. Plain roasted almonds are nice, too. And a sliced apple with peanut butter has a great fruit-and-protein punch that really perks me up on a sleepy afternoon.

If I want salty food, I'll go for popcorn, wasabi peas, or spicy Japanese rice crackers (those tiny crescent shapes).

Today, however, I'm snacking on a huge baggie of pomegranate seeds - messy, but delicious - which my wonderful husband prepared two days ago. (Forget peeling me a grape - he won my heart by peeling pomegranates!)

Anne

[upstate girl]

The pull of the vending machine is sometimes just too hard to resist. When I give in it's always peanut M&M's. On a somewhat healthier note, I try to go for protein (depending on how much I'm trying to rationalize, peanut M&M's can count as an adequate protein) like pistachios, a spoonful of peanut butter (a must at work!), or cheese in the fridge. If it's carbs I want, I keep oatmeal in my desk drawer as well as pretzels. I also try to throw an extra piece of fruit in my lunch to eat later in the day. That way I don't have an excuse to go to the vending machine. Also love instant hot chocolate at work. Sounds like all I do is snack at work! Is anyone else hungry?

[Snackish]

This time of year, tangerines. Cut up melon with lime juice, chile powder and salt. Olives with pits (they take longer to eat). Baby carrots.

[jfood]

The chocolate is still on the corners of my mouth from the Moon Pie i just scarfed from the vending machine.

[Loren3]

My daily staples are:
A hard-boiled egg.
Toast - cinnamon raisin, apple cobblestone, cranberry almond, etc.
Hand fruit - bananas, apples, pears, oranges, grapes, etc.

Other possibilities

Rice Crispies Treats (they're better than some granola bars in terms of sugars and fats, believe it or not).
Jap Snacks from Costco (do you have Costco in Canada?).
Chex mix.
Dried fruit.
Snickers bar.
M&M with peanuts.

[OCAnn]

Jap Snacks?

[Andiereid]

Maybe that Japanese Party Mix? I love that stuff. My husband calls it "Pootie Repellent", though. He hates the way it smells.

[C70]

k, pootie means a totally different thing in my house.. ever googled it?

[Andiereid]

No, and I'm not going to. He's had the nickname Pootie Pie since before we were married and I'm not giving him an out. Besides, it's better than his other nickname "Poochbelly".

[OCAnn]

Wow...I thought "Jap" as in "Jap snacks" was an offensive term.

[Andiereid]

Well, I didn't say it!

[IndyGirl]

I was thinking the same thing!

[rHairing]

For me:

raw almonds
fruit of some sort kept in the fridge
sugar free Jello cups when I am craving something sweet.
flavored rice cakes
low fat popcorn
grape tomatoes

[swsidejim]

Oke Doke Cheese Popcorn (hot & regular)
BBQ potato chips
Red Licorice
Reeses Peanut butter cups

[OCAnn]

I have Reese's pb cups too, but I don't admit these to Mr OCAnn b/c I'm on a diet.

[swsidejim]

I am a sucker for candy myself. I also enjoy jelly beans, and gum drops.

Not to close to lunch however, I dont want to spoil my almost daily Italian Beef sandwich for lunch... (one advantage of living/working in the Chicago area..)

[CookingGirl]

Packets of oatmeal, cottage cheese, Laughing Cow reduced fat cheese wedges with veggies, TJs banana crisps, TJs turkey jerky, Lipton Cup-a-Soup (ie, Cup-a-Salt but I add extra water), mini peppermint patties, slices of turkey, rice crackers, jello fat-free puddings.

[Michelle]

Here's what I have at my desk or in the fridge currently (some healthy items, some not):

Fresh fruit
yogurt
nuts, various kinds
trail mix
chips
soup
tuna
chocolate
other candy

[IndyGirl]

almonds
string cheese
tuna/cracker packs made by starkist (I leave out the nasty relish, JMO)
other nuts
trail mix with dried fruit/nuts

I try to focus on protein if I get hungry/groggy while trying to do work. In fact,I am munching on almonds right now.

[maryv]

I like a mix of whatever nuts, dried fruits, etc. I happen to have around the house. I include some munchies from a local Middle Eastern market - roasted squash seeds, roasted garbanzo beans, roasted fava beans. And dried mangoes with chili, which are also available at Trader Joe's.

[Alice Patis]

I used to keep m/w popcorn, triscuit, peanut butter, wasabi peas, roasted soy beans, tamari almonds, pistachio nuts, and various dark chocolate at work (not to all eat all together, but just because I'm a squirrel).

But we recently have a mouse problem at work and I had to remove/toss my amassed treasure, some of which I found with teeth marks!

Now that it's all gone, I'm down to just a jar of peanut butter (which is mouse proof), which I spoon onto a square of dark chocolate (which I have to bring daily in my purse).

[MobyRichard]

Alice, get yourself some small canning or Mason jars. I've seen canning jars as small as 1 cup and it would have to be a pretty strong mouse to get into one of them. Even those very heavy plastic lock and lock containers would probably be too much for a mouse to get into (although I'd probably try to cut down on the food smell by keeping snacks in a ziplock bag in side the jar or heavier plastic container.

[LindaWhit]

Click-Clacks are great for storing things like Alice likes to have at work.

http://www.cooking.com/products/shpro...

[MobyRichard]

They look good and sturdy, but maybe a little big for storing in a desk drawer. Lock and locks work similarly but come in sizes suitable for snacking.

[LindaWhit]

These come in all sizes - I've got several small ones like pictured in this link:

http://www.cooking.com/products/shpro...

[pepper_mil]

Little jar of nutella and whole wheat crackers. Homemade caramel (or plain) popcorn.

For the miso and spinach soup, just do it from scratch - keep a tub of miso at work, and at home pack fresh spinach leaves in a container with little cubes of tofu. At work, microwave container until spinach is wilted (but still bright green, a minute or so) and then add a tablespoon or so of miso with hot water from your coffee machine. Garnish with little dried shrimp or dried seaweed, if you can get it. (this is more of a lunch size...go down to a tsp of miso with a cup of water for snacks)

my blog has candied nuts and candied squash seed recipes, but it is not indexed yet so you might have to browse archives to find them. http://frugalcuisine.blogspot.com

and hi from Edmonton.

[prunefeet]

You're brilliant!!! Can't wait to delve into blog.

[ddelicious]

You guys are great. Keep the ideas coming! (oh, and I'm in Canada so sadly no Target products for me.)

[PPPPP]

Wasabi peas!

But only bring the recommended serving size to work in a baggie each day, to avoid binging on half the tub and feeling sick afterwards (speaking from experience..).

[Heatherb]

String cheese. I know: Very processed. But it's filling and has protein.

[farmersdaughter]

In my desk drawer right now:

Luna bars
TLC "cheezits"
Homemade trail mix (walnuts, almonds, cashews, dried cranberries and dried blueberries)
Whole wheat saltines

In the office fridge:
carrot sticks
an apple
string cheese

In the office freezer I keep frozen meals made by Amy's, which are pretty healthy and full of good things like tofu and rice.

[lyn]

Isn't burnt microwave popcorn every office's staple?

[Michelle]

Actually, in my office we are not allowed to have microwave popcorn. Seems there was a fire awhile back...

[Hungry Celeste]

Instant miso/spinach soup--just add hot water, 35 calories, can be made in a coffee mug.
Roasted unsalted almonds, by the handful.
The occasional pop tart from the vending machine down the hall (hey,they're fortified w/vitamins!)

[Andiereid]

See? I'm sayin'!

Pop Tarts are great boat food.

[Hungry Celeste]

Not on my boat! Hubig's fried pies (a local pie brand) are boat food to me. I only eat Pop Tarts at the office in a pinch...$0.85 from the machine, cheap hot n fast. Though I sometimes substitute Hubig's when the machine is well-stocked.

[Andiereid]

We only keep them around on the boat for folks who are feeling a little green. For some reason, they are fairly effective at settling the stomach for a MILD case of the boat queasies. We cook real food on the boat all the time. :)

[PPPPP]

Damn you people! I just had the most insane craving for pop-tarts, so I went down to the vending machine.. and they were out!! Argh.

To keep it on topic, corn nuts are good too. Anything crunchy to keep me awake at my desk!

[Andiereid]

One of the dangers of Chowhound. I crave all KINDS of stuff all day reading the posts.

[Snackish]

Corn nuts fall into the microwave popcorn category for me: too stinky to eat in the office.

[debby]

Which brand of miso/spinach soup do you prefer?

[AndrewCIrving]

Sahale Snacks makes great healthy "gourmet" snack mixes. They are available at Target for about $5 for a 5oz bag. Delicious. http://sahalesnacks.com/index.asp

[Andiereid]

Dang! I can't believe I haven't seen those in Target. They look good!

[LindaWhit]

Those look phenomenal! Will have to check Target out in my area!

[Andiereid]

Fruit and nut bars
a thermos of soup
saltines and cheese or peanut butter
fresh fruit (an apple or an orange - not bananas for me because I hate smelling them all day in the office)
cottage cheese (if you have fridge access)
Trail mix
Pop Tarts (someone is going to flay me for that one)

Don't know how much you want to cook/prepare for snacks, but if you want to do some prep the night before:

Tortilla pinwheels (spread flour tortillas with cream cheese, layer with turkey and lettuce and salsa and roll up and slice crosswise)
Quick breads (like cranberry or banana bread) spread with cream cheese and made into small "tea sandwiches"
Mini pizzas - cook them the night before and eat them at room temperature, or just cook a regular size pizza and cut it into small snack-size pieces for the rest of the week

[cheryl_h]

I keep dried fruit in a desk drawer for food emergencies.

[OCAnn]

- yogurt w/granola
- edamame
- grapes
- cherry tomatoes

[C70]

my current low-fat-high-fiber favorites are hummus with baby carrots, and celery with light cream cheese. also, a handful of almonds can really keep you full.