The Best Snacks to Bring to Work Meetings

Intermittent fasting seems like a great idea when you just ate dinner. Hey, just don’t eat until later in the day; that’ll be no problem!

Right. Great plan until you hit that 11 AM meeting and you’re anxious and cranky…

Relax, we’re only joking. Obviously, we’re not diet experts, and fasting does seem to work for some people. But plenty of people need steady sustenance throughout the day to have energy for work. This is where snacks come in.

Mornings can be a mad dash out the door, and there isn’t always enough time to make and eat a satisfying breakfast. Preparing for the week ahead by planning daily snacks can make a big difference in the work day.

But there’s an art (and science!) to snacking. You can’t just go about shoving any treat you find into your mouth. The food you choose needs to be nourishing with the potential for long-term satisfaction.

Satisfy Your Snacking Without the Sugar Crash

The Harvard School of Public Health says it’s best to avoid snacks that are low in nutritional value and high in saturated fat, sugar and sodium. That includes junk like donuts and fast-food coffee drinks that are loaded with cream and syrup.

These types of treats can lead to weight gain, but they also contribute to people skipping meals, which means missing out on valuable nutrients.

Mixing and matching is one way to make sure you’re getting nutrition while also enjoying the flavor.

One final point to remember is that you can choose snacks based on your lifestyle and the time of the day you’ll eat them. Pick snacks that’ll work best for your situation and you’ll be more likely to stick with them.

Snacks for Morning Meetings

It’s a pretty common opinion these days that most meetings could be emails. Morning meetings specifically are annoying because you’re still trying to get into a groove and you might not have much energy.

If there’s a perfect time to have a snack at work, it’s right before (or during) a morning meeting. Here are a few options to consider:

Hard Boiled Eggs

Okay, maybe eat this one a little before going into the meeting instead of during it. Not everyone appreciates the smell! That said, eggs are a great food to use as a bridge between meals.

One egg has 6 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat and 71 calories along with Vitamin D and potassium. 

Granola Bars

These bad boys are popular among outdoorsy types and athletes. For good reason, too: They’re dense! For example, one bar with granola, peanuts, oats, sugar and wheat germ contains 27 grams of carbs and 4 grams of protein.

Smoothie

It’s important to eat fruits and vegetables every day, but not everyone likes the taste of them. Smoothies are a great solution because you can cram a variety of fruits and vegetables into one drink, along with sources of protein like nut butter.

Yogurt

If you want something that won’t make you feel bogged down but is still packed with nutrients, Greek yogurt is a great way to go. One container (150 grams) of Greek yogurt has 15 grams of protein, 5 grams of carbohydrates and 88 calories.

Snacks for Afternoon Meetings

You made it through the first half of the day! You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but there are a couple more meetings left before quitting time.

Lunch was good, but you need a quick energy boost to push yourself through that final stretch. The following ideas will propel you until you sprint out those front doors for the day.

Jerky

Keen on lean? Beef jerky is a simple snack that packs a big impact. It’s light enough that you won’t feel stuffed after eating it, but it’s got a smokey-sweet flavor that’ll revitalize a dragging day.

Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky has 10g of protein and 80 calories per serving, which is a strong nutritional addition to the day that’ll give a nice burst of energy without ruining your appetite for future meals.

Dried or Fresh Fruit

This is a great option for when you’re craving something sweet, tart or sour but you want a healthy choice as opposed to candy or baked goods.

For example, one cup of fresh strawberries has 11 grams of carbs, 2.7 grams of fiber, 18 milligrams of calcium, 134 milligrams of potassium and 52 calories.

Protein Bar

If lunch wasn’t quite filling enough and you need something with more heft, protein bars can fit the bill. While they do come in low-calorie options, many of them have over 150 calories and a large amount of protein.

Nuts

Need some quick energy? Reach for a handful of almonds! An ounce of salted almonds contains 5 grams of protein, 15 grams of fat and 5 grams of carbs.

Veggies

Most people could probably use more veggies in their diets. They’re low in calories and high in nutritional value. Plus, you could always bring a big veggie tray to share with everyone in the meeting.

Popcorn

Light and fluffy with a hint of salt and butter, popcorn has been a simple snack for ages. Just be careful, it’s very easy to go overboard on the stuff! You start with one handful and the next thing you know you’re hitting the bottom of the bag.

Make Jack Link’s Your Go-To Work Snack 

Don’t let work drag on. Bring along some Jack Link’s meat snacks and blast some energy into your day. Shop our products online or find them at a store near you!