Weight Loss Snacks to Keep at Work

Failure to plan ahead is one of the top reasons people don't permanently adopt healthier diets and maintain a healthy weight. Instead of having a reactive meal plan, have a PROactive meal plan. The same is true for snacks. When you visit the grocery store, make sure you not only stock up on food to eat at home, but also food to keep in your purse, car, work desk and anywhere else you spend lots of time.

Those are the places you're most likely to make poor eating choices between meals. To prevent skipped meals, trips to the vending machine and fast food drive-through pit stops, stock up on a few healthy items to keep at your job.

Almonds

Almonds are an excellent weight loss snack that travels well, doesn't easily spoil, and helps you lose weight. They're full of  protein and heart-healthy fats that help you feel satisfied and regulate your blood sugar between meals.  A serving of nuts is only one ounce and you should know that this is a high-calorie food. Still, it's the kind of calories that are good for you that most people don't get enough of in their diets.

Whole grain/whole wheat cereal and skim milk

Whether you work some place with a refrigerator or not, buy whole grain or whole wheat cereal to keep at work. Keep a half-gallon or whole gallon of skim milk or soy milk there also if you do have access to a refrigerator. Have this as a snack or as breakfast on days you're too busy to prepare something before you leave work. I recommend a cereal that is not only high in fiber, but also protein and vitamins. My favorite is a sweet, nutty Kashi cereal, GoLean Crunch. Get nutrition info and read a review. The great thing about soy milk is that you can buy it at room temperature in small containers and store it that way until it's opened (then it needs to stay cold). That way, you can keep a stock at work and never have to worry about running out or having it go bad before you can drink it.

Eaten dry or with milk, high-fiber and/or soy protein-enriched cereal will help you control cravings, keep hunger at bay, feel full and satisfied, regulate your blood sugar, and lower your cholesterol.


Bananas

Bananas are a healthy snack with a pick-me-up of natural sugar in the middle of the day or at breakfast. Carbohydrates get a bad name but they're the only fuel your brain uses. If you feel sluggish or need to be alert for a meeting or other cognitive activity, go with the banana. They're easily stored and although they might not last longer than a week, they're as cheap as 0.40 to 0.50 cents a pound. You can either give one to a friend before it goes bad or pitch the last one of it gets too ripe for you. Also, since there's no need to wash or refrigerate, they're a no-brainer solution for weight-loss snacking.