Snacking plays a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere and culture within an office. If you run a small business it can be a smart move to keep your office break room well-stocked with an array of popular office snacks.
Having a diverse selection of snacks contributes to keeping your employees content, nourished, and functioning at their optimum capacity. This list presents a compilation of some of the most sought-after office snacks for your consideration.
These range from health-conscious options loaded with essential nutrients to a handful of treats that cater to indulgent sweet or salty cravings.
Our selection ensures that there’s something for everyone, promoting inclusivity and satisfaction.
Choosing the Best Office Snacks: A Guide to Satisfying and Energizing Selections
Office snacks are more than just a quick bite. They can energize a team, foster community, and even boost productivity. Given their role in shaping workplace culture, choosing the right snacks is paramount. Let’s delve into the criteria we use to curate a list of popular office snacks. Each is rated on an importance scale from 10 to 1, where 10 is most important and 1 is least important.
- Nutritional Value
- Scale Importance: 10/10
- The right nutrients can power through an afternoon slump. We prioritize snacks that provide a balance of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
- Portion Control
- Scale Importance: 9/10
- Overindulgence can lead to lethargy. Snacks that come in single-serving packages or encourage moderation get our nod.
- Diversity of Flavors
- Scale Importance: 9/10
- A varied snack menu can cater to diverse palates and dietary restrictions. We value a broad spectrum of flavors and types.
- Freshness and Shelf Life
- Scale Importance: 8/10
- No one likes a stale snack. We lean towards options that either have a long shelf life or can be easily replenished and stored.
- Cost-Effectiveness
- Scale Importance: 8/10
- Budget considerations are essential. We assess the quality and quantity of snacks against their price point.
- Health Conscious Options
- Scale Importance: 9/10
- With the rise of health and wellness trends, snacks that cater to diets like keto, vegan, or gluten-free are essential.
- Sustainability and Ethical Practices
- Scale Importance: 8/10
- Many modern workplaces prioritize sustainability. Snacks that have eco-friendly packaging or come from ethical sources resonate with such values.
- Ease of Consumption
- Scale Importance: 7/10
- In an office setting, messy snacks can be a hassle. We favor those that are easy to consume without causing a cleanup challenge.
- Popularity and General Acceptance
- Scale Importance: 8/10
- While novelty is great, there are classic snacks that have stood the test of time in office settings. These popular options often find a place on our list.
Balancing taste, health, and practicality, our recommended snacks aim to energize and satisfy office teams. Through our criteria, we hope to present options that not only taste great but also align with the broader values and needs of a modern workplace.
Office Snacks
Nuts
Whether you’re a fan of almonds, pistachios or another option, nuts are a nutritional source of protein, with about 27 grams per cup. They’re also very portable and available in ready-made packages, which promotes portion control and ease of consumption. Or you can buy them in bulk and separate them into smaller containers as needed.
String Cheese
String cheese is very easy to transport and usually available in individual packaging. You can easily stock up your office fridge with these options, which are a good source of calcium.
Jerky
Jerky is dried meat that’s easy to store and transport. It’s a good source of lean protein, and available in beef, turkey and a variety of other meat options.
Crackers
Whole wheat crackers provide fiber and other nutrients in a very convenient package. You can also pair them with meat, cheese and veggies to make an even healthier and tastier snack.
Veggie Chips
There are tons of options now for dried vegetables transformed into salty snacks like chips. You can find kale, seaweed, carrots and more. Some even come in pre-made bags for simple portion control and ease.
Dark Chocolate
For the office sweet tooth, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and is generally more nutritious that milk chocolate and other types of candy.
Trail Mix
You can also add a bit of sweetness and saltiness to your office pantry with pre-made or homemade trail mix. This usually contains some combination of nuts, chocolate, dried fruit and pretzels. It’s a cost-effective option that generally has a long shelf life.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a very popular option for the office fridge. You can find options that contain fruit, nuts or other toppings. Or you could opt for Greek yogurt with lots of protein.
Granola
Granola usually consists of rolled oats, nuts and sweetener. It can be eaten on its own or mixed with another snack like yogurt. There are tons of varieties to choose from, or you can even make your own.
Protein Bars
Protein bars are a really simple snack that are easy to take to meetings or sales calls. There are tons of different manufacturers out there with different flavors and ingredients.
Apples
If you want to add some fruit to your office kitchen, apples are a simple, handheld option that provide a lot of vitamins and nutrients.
Carrots
When it comes to veggies, consider adding some baby carrots to your fridge. These are simple to carry and don’t create a lot of mess around the office.
Chips
Not all popular office snacks are necessarily super healthy. If you just need a quick bite of something salty, chips are one of the most readily available options.
Popcorn
A slightly more healthy option than chips, popcorn is fairly light and still offers that satisfying crunch and salty flavor.
Bananas
Another fruit option, bananas are easy to transport and provide tons of potassium, magnesium and Vitamin C.
Dried Fruit
Lots of other fruit options can be a bit messy for the office. But you can purchase dried fruit that’s really simple to eat and carry around the office.
Applesauce
Or you could opt for applesauce, which is available in individual packages so you can eat it with a spoon right at your desk.
Hummus
Hummus is a great source of plant-based protein, so it’s perfect for those who don’t consume animal products. You can easily enjoy it with crackers or veggies throughout the day.
Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and similar items are often rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. You can enjoy them on their own or mix them with nearly any other type of snack for some extra nutrition. They have a long shelf life and are easy to keep and enjoy around your desk.
Nut Butter
From traditional peanut butter to trendier options like almond butter, this type of snack can be spread on crackers or veggies. It includes lots of protein and healthy fats.
Energy Bites
If you want to stock your office kitchen with some homemade options, energy bites can be made with oats, seeds, nut butter, chocolate, and sweetener. It’s a perfect way to add some healthy sweetness to your office snack mix.
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are essentially large, flat crackers made of dehydrated and condensed rice. You can add extra flavor with nut butter or other toppings. They even come in multiple flavors and varieties.
Muffins
Muffins aren’t known for being the most healthy options. But you can find products that include blueberries or other fruit to add some nutrients. You could also opt for sprouted muffins or homemade options that include less fat and carbs.
Cookies
Again, traditional cookies aren’t the most healthy office snack. But they are easily portable and available in tons of different flavors. You can even opt for protein cookies if you want to keep things as healthy as possible.
Protein Shakes
For those who prefer to drink their snacks, protein shakes are easy and portable. You can purchase pre-made ones or purchase protein powder to make your own.
Here is a concise summary of some of the best office snacks you can consider, highlighting their key nutritional benefits and unique characteristics.
Snack | Key Benefits | Special Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Nuts | High in protein, good fats | Portable, available in ready-made packages |
String Cheese | Good source of calcium and protein | Easy to transport, individually packaged |
Jerky | Good source of lean protein | Available in various meat options, easy to store |
Crackers | Provides fiber and other nutrients | Can be paired with other snacks |
Veggie Chips | Lower in fat than regular chips | Made from a variety of dried vegetables |
Dark Chocolate | Good source of antioxidants | Healthier than milk chocolate and other candies |
Trail Mix | High in protein and fiber | Mix of nuts, chocolate, dried fruit, and pretzels |
Yogurt | Good for gut health, high in protein | Available with fruit, nuts, or other toppings |
Granola | High in fiber and nutrients | Made of rolled oats and nuts, can be mixed with other snacks |
Protein Bars | High in protein | Available in different flavors and ingredients |
Apples | High in fiber, Vitamin C | Easy to transport and consume |
Carrots | High in Vitamin A | Easy to carry, do not create a lot of mess |
Chips | Quick energy source | Quick bite of something salty |
Popcorn | Lower in fat than chips, high in fiber | Light, provides satisfying crunch and salty flavor |
Bananas | High in potassium, Vitamin C, and fiber | Easy to transport |
Dried Fruit | High in fiber and vitamins | Easy to eat and carry around the office |
Applesauce | High in fiber and Vitamin C | Available in individual packages |
Hummus | High in fiber, protein, and healthy fats | Can be enjoyed with crackers or veggies |
Seeds | High in fiber, healthy fats, and protein | Can be mixed with other snacks for added nutrition |
Nut Butter | High in protein and healthy fats | Can be spread on crackers or veggies |
Energy Bites | High in protein and fiber | Homemade options, can be made with oats, seeds, etc. |
Rice Cakes | Low in calories, can be high in fiber | Can be topped with nut butter or other toppings |
Muffins | Can be a good source of fiber | Available with fruit, can be healthier with less fat and carbs |
Cookies | Quick energy source | Available in different flavors, healthier options available |
Protein Shakes | High in protein, can also include vitamins and minerals | Easy and portable, can be pre-made or homemade |
Office Snacks Delivery Options
For busy entrepreneurs, ensuring a consistent supply of office snacks might seem like an added task on an already lengthy to-do list.
A practical and time-saving solution is leveraging a snack delivery service. Numerous providers offer varied solutions, ranging from subscription-based services that ensure a regular delivery of assorted snacks, to grocery delivery options or online ordering platforms.
Each caters to diverse needs, offering flexibility and convenience while maintaining your snack inventory.
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Instacart
Instacart is a delivery service that works with local grocery stores. You can pick out specific snack items that you want for your office and have them brought right to you.
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Love With Food
Love With Food is a subscription service that provides you with a monthly selection of different snack options. You can choose gluten free or organic options to make sure the snacks fit with your specific preferences. This may be best for a home office or small team.
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AmazonFresh
AmazonFresh offers fast grocery delivery to select locations throughout the country. You can order from Whole Foods or Amazon’s stock of various grocery items. Just be sure it’s available for your business’s location, and you can order snacks just as you would any other items on Amazon.
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SnackNation
SnackNation offers a snack delivery service for homes and offices. It includes a large box full of various samples that you can try. The company creates a new mix every time to keep things fresh, and you can set your own delivery dates to make sure the pantry is always stocked.
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WorkPerks
WorkPerks offers a variety of snack options for you to choose from. Choose your preferences and then receive a large selection of items. This may be perfect for meetings or offices that like to try new items from artisan brands.
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