Before grabbing for junk food, consider some healthy snack ideas when you work at home. It’s true by eliminating clutter, getting organized, and creating calm surroundings in our home office we can reduce stress. However, once all this is accomplished, we still have the stress of our work load. When work is stressful, many of us reach for food to calm and comfort our nerves. Too often we seek out whatever is convenient in our kitchen. But,the problem is often chips, cookies, candy, and other not-so-healthy choices. Don’t let working at home result in unhealthy eating and weight gain.
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The title ‘comfort food’ typically brings on visions of fast burning carbohydrate-loaded goodies. This food will calm and comfort, yes, but at what expense? The comfort is over quickly, leaving you just wanting more, while the damage to your body goes on, and on.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Work at Home Moms
What can be done? Are there better foods that comfort, calm, and relieve stress? Let’s take a look at some foods you can enjoy in your home office that truly comfort and calm for healthy stress relief.
Blueberries
This super-loaded berry is an antioxidant powerhouse and is known for improving cognition. High in vitamin C, low in sugar, blueberries and other berries, as well, lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, reducing the effects of stress. Also, anytime of fresh fruit, especially berries make a great snack.
Signature Dried Blueberries, 20 OunceKIND Bars, Blueberry Vanilla & Cashew, Gluten Free, 1.4 Ounce Bars, 12 Count
Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Blueberries Unsweetened & Unsulfured 1.2oz
Cashews
Although all nuts are great for snacking because they’re rich in healthy fats and protein, cashews are especially high in zinc. This is an important element for reducing anxiety and for improving overall mood. Since zinc is not stored in the body, having a cashew snack every day is definitely a good idea.
Kirkland Signature Kirkland Signature Unsalted Cashews, 2.5 PoundHappy Belly Fancy Whole Cashews, 16 Ounce, Pack of 2
Georgia Grinders Cashew Butter, 12 oz
Walnuts
Another brain booster, the humble walnut has proven itself to be a real memory builder. And what’s more stressful than forgetting what you need to know for your work assignments? Walnuts contain essential omega-3 fatty acids which not only improve memory but helps the brain stay younger, too.
Happy Belly California Walnuts, Halves and Pieces, 16 Ounce, Pack of 2Food To Live Walnuts (Raw, No Shell) (8 Ounces)
Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Raw Walnuts, 16-ounce
Chamomile Tea
Take a break and have a nice cup of tea; but not just any tea. Try chamomile to calm and soothe the nerves during a stressful work day. Chamomile tea has been proven to reduce anxiety, making it the perfect addition to your stress reducing routine.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Chamomile Tea, 16 Tea Bags (Pack of 6)Twinings Camomile with Mint and Lemon Organic Tea, 20-Count Tea Bags (Pack of 6 )
English Tea Store Loose Leaf, Egyptian Camomile Caffeine Free Herbal Tea Pouches, 2 Ounce
Green Tea
Stress can sometimes cause our brains to go into slow motion. If you’re feeling sluggish and can’t seem to get your mental motor running, grab a cup or two of green tea (hot or cold) and enjoy a boost to your brain power. And the caffeine is not getting all the credit; green tea contains an amino acid that is linked to mental alertness.
Matcha Green Tea Powder, Organic – Authentic Japanese Origin, Superior Quality, Classic Culinary Grade (Smoothies, Lattes, Baking, Recipes) – Antioxidants, Energy – Jade Leaf Brand [30g Starter Size]Uncle Lee’s Organic Green Tea — 100 Tea Bags net wt 5.64 oz (160g)
Yogi Tea Green Tea 6 Flavor Variety Pack (Pack of 6)
Dark Chocolate
No, you don’t want to go crazy with a bag of candy. But a small piece of dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood pressure and calm the nerves. Stress reduction can be sweet! But, remember; dark chocolate in moderation. Combine dark chocolate with fruit with Brookside Dark Chocolate Candy. Another idea is slice up fresh bananas, dip them in melted dark chocolate and freeze them. Don’t have time to make them yourself? Dole has chocolate covered banana snacks available in the freezer section at your local grocery. They are delicious!
Ghirardelli Chocolate Intense Dark Bar, Twilight Delight 72% Cacao, 3.5-Ounce Bars (Pack of 6)ChocZero 92% Ultimate Dark Chocolate, Sugar Free, Low Carb. No Sugar Alcohols. No Artificial Sweeteners. All Natural, Non-GMO – (3 Bags, 30 Pieces)
Endangered Species Bat, Natural Dark Chocolate (72%) with Cacao Nibs, 3-Ounce Bars (Pack of 12)
Oatmeal
This complex carbohydrate is a true comfort food. Snacking on a handful of rolled oats will kick your brain into over-drive producing serotonin, the feel-good antioxidant which soothes and calms the brain. Mix together a combination of rolled oats, nuts, and other good foods and keep a container in your home office for a quick snack that satisfies both body and brain. Here’s some granola recipes to try: Easy Healthy Homemade Granola.
Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Regular Rolled Oats, 32 Ounce (Pack of 4)Better Oats, Raw Pure and Simple Organic, Bare, Instant Multigrain Hot Cereal with Flax, 11.8 oz
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal Cup Blueberry & Hazelnut (Pack of 12)
Nature Box
Looking for variety and convenience? Join NatureBox and start saving up to 40% on hundreds of snacks today! They delicious healthy snacks like Peanut Butter Graham Jam and Cheddar & Hatch Chile Crackers
These are just a few of the many healthy foods that have been shown to help reduce stress in many ways. Keep a supply in your home office for a quick snack that truly comforts and calms.
These are all great ideas (although you can keep the green tea because I’m sticking with my coffee, ha ha)! I will have to check out NatureBox, that would be a great option for not only myself but for healthy snacking for the kids as well.
All wonderful ideas. I especially like fruit such as grapes or any cut fruit I have in the fridge. Cuts the calories and fills me up. Yogurt is awesome too. It’s so important to choose healthy food when you work from home. It’s too easy to cheat. Thanks for the suggestions!
I needed this list but unfortunately we cannot have nuts in our office 🙁 I do have other items you suggested, fruits and oatmeal.