Healthy packaged snacks

I forgot to bring my vegetable pack to work today so that I could have a healthy snack after lunch. Does anyone have some suggestions for something packaged that I can get at the store and leave at my office for days like these? I don't have my refrigerator anymore, so I can't leave vegetables or fruit here anymore.

I was wondering if things like cereal bars, or Nutrigrain or the Hidden Valley oats bars would be healthy? Or any types of snacks, really. I'd like something that is actually healthy, not something that is just not unhealthy.

You could stop off at a health food store and get a selection of dried fruits and nuts? Grab some food bags and make up some healthy pic n' mix!

If I were you, I'd try to avoid anything super processed.  Granola bars (Kashi are my favorite--whole grains, no HFCS) are all right in a pinch--but they can be a little calorie dense and full of sugar.  Beware the processed food that looks healthy--be sure to read labels and choose wisely (a good rule of thumb in my opinion is the longer the ingredient list, the worse it is for you).

jef's idea is good--dried fruits and nuts.  Portion them out into smaller (reusable) containers for a quick snack.  Be careful here too--some companies sweeten dried fruit with HFCS.

Original Post by sauciedj:

I forgot to bring my vegetable pack to work today so that I could have a healthy snack after lunch. Does anyone have some suggestions for something packaged that I can get at the store and leave at my office for days like these? I don't have my refrigerator anymore, so I can't leave vegetables or fruit here anymore.

I was wondering if things like cereal bars, or Nutrigrain or the Hidden Valley oats bars would be healthy? Or any types of snacks, really. I'd like something that is actually healthy, not something that is just not unhealthy.

I have a box sitting on my desk for just such occassions. I have a load of natural whole grain oatmeal -- for about 120 to 160 calories, its a big serving.  I can add raisins or honey to sweeten it up.

Nuts, wasabi peas, etc.  The only thing is those tend to be pretty calorie dense.  Also not all fruits and veggies require refrigeration.  Such as tomatoes, should not be refrigerated anyway.  I can keep a thing of cherry tomatoes out at room temperature for 4-5 days with no problems.  Also canned fruits in light syrup (just don't eat the syrup).

I have heard the fruit-abu things are good, as they are supposedly just pure "smooshed" fruit with nothing added such as preservatives, coloring, or corn syrup.  I haven't really looked into it though, but you might check.

i like to munch on Quaker Oatmeal Squares cereal.

If there's a high fibre low sugar cereal you like, you could snack on that.  Of course this would be without milk.  I eat plain Shreddies all the time.  Whole wheat crackers are good too.  If you're looking to get a bit of protein plain almonds (watch cals) or peanut butter (watch cals!) are good options.

fuzzys is right, you can keep a lot of fruit at room temperature, although it generally wouldn't last as long as it would in the fridge.  Apples and oranges are good for that, they're only semi-perishables. 

A lot of those cereal bars have a lot of added sugar in them.  In my mind, they're only a small step ahead of a chocolate bar. 

Thank you all for your responses. I like the idea of a homemade trail mix. I was wondering though, what would be a proper serving size for that? Usually, I try to keep my snack calories around 150 calories. Will nuts and dried fruit be filling?

lol tomatoes are one of my least favorite foods, ever, but I may try some semi-perishable fruits. I really like the idea of cereal though.

I ended up getting a box of Kashi trail mix bars for today. It has 6 grams of sugar. Is that a lot? If it is, I'll probably just space the bars out over the next couple months. I've never heard of nut-abu, but that sounds interesting, I think I'll look into that too.

A can of tuna and some whole wheat crackers is a good option with protein and fiber.  They make those little tuna salad snack packs with the crackers already included, though they aren't whole wheat.  They're good though and will do in a pinch.

6 grams of sugar is not a lot.  With the good fiber and protein you get from the kashi bars (LOVE THEM!) without all the crazy calories, the 6 grams of sugar is a balanced enough.  In most bars like this there is a LOT more sugar.  Eat up that KASHI! 

I keep the following items at my desk:

• small applesauce cups (of different flavors)
• Emerald's Chipolte Roasted Peanuts
• Quakers mini rice cakes (Ranch, Sour Cream & Onion)
• 100 calorie packs of oreos/chocolate chip thin waffers
• Special K Raspberry Bliss Bars
• Apples
• Jolly ranchers
  

I think it's called fruit abu. they are quite healthy...the equivalent of dried fruit. actually it just mashed up fruit dehydrated. like fruit roll-ups but all natural.

Original Post by sauciedj:

I forgot to bring my vegetable pack to work today so that I could have a healthy snack after lunch. Does anyone have some suggestions for something packaged that I can get at the store and leave at my office for days like these? I don't have my refrigerator anymore, so I can't leave vegetables or fruit here anymore.

I was wondering if things like cereal bars, or Nutrigrain or the Hidden Valley oats bars would be healthy? Or any types of snacks, really. I'd like something that is actually healthy, not something that is just not unhealthy.

Of course those things are healthy. Don't hesitate to having something like that.  It's always better, to have that healthy snack, than to avoid it.  IMO, all this processed sugar stuff is mostly paranoia.  You have to live in the real world, we all need to learn to eat there, too.  Going too far over the cliff, to get into shape, just makes it that much harder to stay in shape, when eventually, the food of the real world creeps back in. 

 

I second the Kashi TLC bars, and I'm a sucker for the Fiber One bars (oats and chocolate...mmm), but if you want to go for something unprocessed in which you know what's in it, you can always make your own granola bars:

http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/search.php?s earch_type=recipes&searchpro=granola+bars

Good snacks that don't require a fridge:

Buy a jar of nuts and pre-portion them in ziplock snack baggie or snack cups.  (The packaging can be re-used, and buying nuts in bulk is a cost saver.)

Make your own trail mix, buy ingredients in bulk.  There are recipes in the CC database.

Make your own healthy brownies or cookies, freeze them in individual portions at home, brink them to work and they can thaw at your desk.

Not all fruit requires refrigeration:  bananas, apples, peaches, nectarines, plums, and oranges can all be stored at your desk.