15 Healthy Snacks You Can Take to Work

Hummus is made from chickpeas and sesame oil, so it's high in protein and an excellent source of healthy fat and fiber. Carrots are high in vitamin A and potassium, so the pairing makes a balanced and satisfying snack. As far as calories go, one-half cup of hummus has about 200 calories, while eight baby carrots have only about 30 calories.

Hummus is also good with baked pita chips or pieces of pita bread. Or try other fresh veggies like celery, broccoli, or cauliflower.

2- A Small Sandwich (brown bread)

A regular lunch-sized sandwich is probably too big for an afternoon snack, so pack a smaller version. Choose whole grain bread, lots of veggies, and maybe a slice or two of ham or lean turkey breast. A small sandwich like this offers plenty of vitamins and minerals with less than 300 calories.

Another great snack is a "grown-up" peanut butter and jelly sandwichmade with whole grain bread, exotic nut butter, and fruit spreads.

Yogurt can be an excellent addition to any diet but can be transformed into something not-so-good if it's mixed with sugary mix-ins. Opt for plain Greek yogurt in a single-serve container with plenty of fresh fruit.

Packed with calcium, protein, and probiotics, a work break yogurt snack will only set you back 150 calories. Pecans and a drizzle of honey are also a nice touch.

A plain rice cake is low in calories and relatively bland, so it makes a nice base for almost any topping. You can stash the rice cakes in your desk and bring something along like an egg salad. Two rice cakes topped with a quarter cup of egg salad have about 8 grams of protein, 260 calories, and plenty of zinc, selenium, and magnesium.

Other tasty toppings include plain yogurt with honey and berries, sliced avocados with lime juice, or cottage cheese with sliced tomato.

Popcorn counts as a whole grain because it is high in fiber. It's also low in calories as long as you don't cover it with melted butter. Keep a few bags of microwave popcorn handy for a quick, healthy snack. One regular-sized bag has less than 300 calories. You can also buy single-serving sizes. 

If plain popcorn sounds boring, sprinkle Parmesan cheese or mixed seasoning blends on top.

For an extra-health stack, grab some whole wheat crackers, slice a stalk of celery, and open a resealable packet of tuna. Together, this quick and easy treat can deliver high amounts of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Six crackers and 3 ounces of tuna have no more than 200 calories total.

If plain tuna it too dry for you, you could make a tuna salad at home or simply bring along a packet of low-fat mayo. Always buy tuna packed in water rather than oil.

Crispbread is a flat, dry cracker-like bread typically made with rye flour but also available in whole wheat and multigrain. They're nice and crunchy on their own but even better topped with spreads and cheese. Cottage cheese is an especially good choice because it is high in calcium and protein and relatively low in fat and calories.

Three pieces of crispbread, each topped with two tablespoons of low-fat cottage cheese, totals a mere 170 calories. Add a nice herbal note with chives or a dash of acidity and spice with storebought salsa. You can also top crispbread with nut butter or slices of lean ham, cheese, and lingonberry preserve.

Trail mix is typically a combination of nuts and dried fruit, and possibly cereal or granola. You can find all kinds of unusual varieties at grocery stores, or you can make it at home. Trail mix is one of those snacks you can keep in your desk drawer for a few days, so it's nice to have around if you don't have a refrigerator. 

Trail mix can be high in calories, so be sure to read the nutrition label if you are trying to lose weight. Some are packed with sugar or toasted in coconut oils that are rich in saturated fat. To ensure portion control, divide the granola into single-serving portions.

You may be used to serving guacamole with tortilla chips, but you can drop several calories and unnecessary fat by spreading guacamole on crisp celery sticks. Guacamole is made with avocado, so it's high in monounsaturated fats and nutrients. One-half cup has about 180 calories. 

Opt for baked tortilla chips rather than fried or choose whole grain crackers as a healthy alternative.