Snacking at work is an all too common occurrence as you work through yet another lunch break to keep on top of ever-growing workloads. But did you know there’s actually a heap of benefits to snacking at work?
When you skip meals, you’re not giving your brain the nourishment and energy it needs to keep you focused. And that’s where snacks come in!
Of course, we’re advocating for healthy snack choices here and not suggesting you wolf down a whole share bag of chocolate with your mid-morning coffee. Healthy snacks help to stop any of the dreaded sugar crashes known for causing those hangry outbursts, after all.
You can even find vending machines that provide a home for a range of healthy options, like fruit, salads, and yoghurts.
So, let’s delve a little deeper into the benefits of snacking at work.
1. It Puts You in a Better Mood
An office with a buzz of positivity is a great place to work. Keeping your mood high with snacking is a great way to create a happy office vibe where the team gels together to solve problems instead of finding them.
A peel of laughter ringing out every now and then is a great way to keep spirits high. Regular snacking helps this by stabilising your blood sugar levels and avoiding a dip in mood. Say goodbye to those grump slumps and hello to good vibes only.
2. It Actually Helps With Weight Loss
Ok, eating more often might not sound like the best way to drop a few pounds, but eating little and often is a great way to go if you’re trying to slim down.
Scientists at Skidmore College found eating little and often exerts more energy through digestion than eating the same amount of calories across three meals per day. Not only that, but it’s also one of the ways you can lose fat while still building muscle. So go ahead and grab that snack, it’s good for you!
3. Staff Feel More Productive and Engaged
A study by the Health Enhancement Research Centre has shown that wellness programmes at work lead to increased productivity and engagement. And food sits at the heart of every good wellness programme.
A well-rounded food intake keeps your energy levels high, which leads to better work output. The afternoon slump is a horrible feeling; when you know you’ve got shed loads to do but you can’t quite summon the brainpower to crack on. Well, get your snack on!
Choosing the right snacks to fuel your brain can help to make all times of the day as productive as the first chunk of the morning when you turn up looking bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. After a coffee, at least.
4. You Reap the Benefits of SuperFoods
The humble banana is a staple snack at many a desk, and it’s packed with amazing benefits, like protecting you against cancer.
There are loads of other superfoods out there that are well worth popping in your work bag. Take blueberries; they help stave off the effects of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Or red grapes, which contain the same superfood chemical, Resveratol, that’s found in wine. But you won’t get the same funny looks munching on a bunch of grapes as with swigging a glass of vino.
There are tonnes of foods packing a punch in health benefits, so why not reap the rewards of these while sitting at your desk?
5. It’s Relaxing
Food often provides a base for socialising and relaxation, and many of the best ideas happen when you feel relaxed. This leads to a better flow of chatter between you and your colleagues, which helps to form better social bonds. It’s great for team dynamics and makes you feel more relaxed at work.
This tends to work even better when snacks are kept in an office kitchen. It provides an informal space where people naturally gather. And when your days are increasingly overwhelmed by the demands of work, it feels amazing to take a few moments to focus on yourself again. Especially when food’s involved.
6. It Helps With Overall Health and Wellness
Fitting in the recommended portions of fruit and veg along with a variety of proteins, healthy fats, and carbs isn’t an easy challenge if you spend 5 days a week in a busy job. But snacking is actually a way to overcome this particular hurdle.
Bringing healthy snacks like fruit, veggie sticks, and nuts is a quick way to up your level of nutrients. And seeing as long-term nutritional deficiencies can lead to all sorts of problems both physically and mentally, you want to get as much goodness onboard as possible.
Besides, healthy snacking is a good habit to get into. And when you start the ball rolling with one healthy habit, it’s easy to begin more. Snacking is a fine start to any wellness journey.
7. You’re Less Likely to Overeat
A small amount of snacking helps curb your appetite, meaning you’re less likely to overindulge at your next meal. And seeing as overeating can lead to weight gain and leave you feeling sluggish, it’s something you want to avoid.
Just make sure you don’t overdo the snacks. When you get it right, a snack will stop you from thinking about food until the next meal, but you should still manage to finish your plate. You don’t want to miss out on those all-important nutrients after all.
Give it the Crumbs Up
Munching on some healthy snacks at work offers all kinds of benefits. From keeping your mood in high spirits to ensuring a functioning brain and body, the list goes on and on.
In short, the better your overall health is, the easier and more enjoyable you’ll find your working day. So don’t be afraid to reach for that banana or a handful of nuts and grapes the next time the hunger hits. Your boss and co-workers will thank you for it just as much as your tummy.
