Title: An R.D. Investigates Greatist HQ: A Behind-the-Scenes Office Raid
Ambling into the office, our visitor's eyes lit up at a gleaming turquoise package resting on a desk. Inside: love, magic, and extra sugary treats — Chocolatears from Derek's Disney World expedition. Our nutrition guru for the hour, Keri Gans, scrutinized the label. 17 grams of sugar in 11 Disney-themed pretzels? Not exactly a picture-perfect snack.
To celebrate National Nutrition Month, we welcomed Roberta "Bobbie" Mandel, a registered dietitian from KIND, a brand championing healthier snack options. Their mission? Make workplaces, even thriving ones, that much healthier. Their expert advice? Bring on the energy-boosting snack intervention.
Gans started by defining the perfect snack: 200 calories or less, 5 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. While some could skirt snack time to meet deadlines, they warned that short, nutrition-packed breaks could be the difference between satisfying energy and an evening of stale takeout.
She circled our desks, tearing apart snack wrappers and lunch remains. She questioned each team member on their eating habits. When she zeroed in on my empty Kombucha bottle, she commended the low sugar content. Then, she moved on to Laura's lunch plate: hummus, sliced turkey, carrots, and rice cake. A well-balanced mini-meal, but was it a snack or a whole lunch?
Cornering us in "The Kitchen," Gans donned her gloves. Opening the freezer, we stared at avocado and coconut ice cream, piggybacking on top of each other like Jenga blocks. Much to our relief, she praised the Enlightened bars, meeting her health criteria.
Then, it was time for the fridge. "Hummus, lovely." She commended our selection before prowling through the meat drawer. "Smoked salmon, that's great!" She proclaimed she'd pair it with hummus for a protein and fiber-packed treat.
Gans scoured each drawer, examining every label. When she finally landed on chocolate-filled mini-cheesecakes, we gulped in trepidation. A tense pause followed, but then, a sigh of relief. "They're mini," she announced. "There's room for occasional desserts in life." Phew.
Our snack raid revealed room for improvement. Sure, we had KIND bars and other nutritious options, but sometimes, we could overindulge and let our sugar cravings run wild. Gans suggested displaying even the healthiest snacks in glass jars wisely, to prevent ourselves from snacking when we're not truly hungry.
The lesson? Even the healthiest offices harbor snack pitfalls. So, follow Gans' advice: opt for balanced snacks (protein, fiber, the whole shebang), and when in doubt, ask yourself, "Do I actually feel like I've eaten something?" It's likely you'll finish an apple and peanut butter instead of that Disney-themed candy.
Enrichment Insights: To construct a healthier snack environment in your workplace, consider these strategies:1. Opt for Nutrient-Dense Options: Nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, veggie sticks, hummus, or Greek yogurt!2. Include Protein-Rich Snacks: Eggs, cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or lean meats.3. Choose Whole Grains: Rice cakes, whole-grain crackers, or oatmeal.4. Prepare Snack Combinations: Trail mix, energy balls, or yogurt parfait.5. Stay Hydrated: Drink water frequently to prevent overeating and maintain energy levels.6. Portion Control: Pre-portion snacks and balance them to stay satisfied throughout the day.7. Incorporate Mediterranean Diet Snacks: Hummus and pita, or zucchini fritters.8. Prepare Meals in Advance: Mason jar salads or grain bowls with lean proteins and veggies.
For more tips and tricks on creating the perfect workspace snacks, be sure to check out Best Foods and Recipes for Work Snacks and Best Healthy Snacks for The Office. Workspace snacking made simple!
- Keri Gans suggested following the rule of a perfect snack: 200 calories or less, 5 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber, encouraging team members to opt for balanced options.
- During the office snack raid, Gans praised the Enlightened bars, as they met her health criteria for portion control and nutritional content.
- In an attempt to create a healthier snack environment, Gans suggested displaying even the healthiest snacks in glass jars wisely, to prevent overeating when not truly hungry.
- To achieve a balanced and nutritious snack, consider incorporating protein-rich options like hard-boiled eggs or lean meats, along with whole grains and fruits or vegetables.
