Working remotely has been an adjustment for most of us this quarantine. But a 9-to-5 work schedule in the comfort of your own home doesn’t have to be so routine. We might as well put that downtime to use. Whether you’re hopping on Zoom calls for your online classes or logging into meetings at your job, there are ways to be productive with how you care for your body now more than ever.
Before COVID-19, we would just go on about our day, skipping meals or overpaying for a salad on school grounds, but now we have the flexibility to actually be mindful, slow down our pace, and take the time to prepare some simple snacks throughout the day as we work. I mean, the last thing we want to do is crash from the boredom that lies in sitting behind a computer screen in loungewear eating Hot Cheetos all day. Instead of that recipe for disaster, here are some easy work-from-home snacks that you’ll actually want to make that will boost your energy while also fueling your taste buds.
- Frozen yogurt bark
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For this healthy treat, mix plain Greek yogurt with fruits like blueberries and strawberries and spread it onto some parchment paper. Freeze for 30 minutes until cold enough to break into pieces. The prep time is only five minutes, and you can jump into a meeting during the time it takes to freeze!
By incorporating yogurt into your list of snack options, you can get health benefits like vitamin B12, which aids in heart health, or probiotics, which help with digestive health. Yogurt is also protein-rich, which will keep you full for a longer period of time.
- Chia pudding
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This snack is simple because it contains most of the items you probably already buy on the regular: milk, chia seeds, vanilla extract, fruit, and a sweetener such as honey. To put together this snack, you will want to get a glass jar and combine three tablespoons of chia seeds with one cup of milk. Add your fruit, vanilla, and sweetener, mix all together, and let it sit overnight. Super convenient to swipe from the fridge during your online class.
Chia seeds contain lots of fiber (good for your gut health), and are low in calories and rich in antioxidants that can fight free radicals in your body. Eating chia seeds can also reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar. And if pudding isn’t your thing, there are tons of other chia seed recipes you can try, too.
- Hard boiled eggs
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This is an easier way to consume your eggs without constant supervision and stirring like you would need to do with scrambled eggs. For this snack, you will need two eggs and a saucepan filled with water that covers up to one inch above the eggs. They usually take seven to 13 minutes to boil and once they are cooked, place them into ice water for about 10 minutes before you crack them. It’s another supermarket item you are bound to have in your pantry, and a great source of protein to get you through the work day.
- Avocado toast
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Calling all avocado lovers! Bring your avo toast from brunch on Sundays and make it fresh from your own home. All you’ll need are some mashed Haas avocados, a drizzle of olive oil, and some whole-grain toast to spread it on. Not to mention the “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning from Trader Joe’s, which is my personal fave topping. Chef’s kiss.
Avocados contain heart-healthy fats and are loaded with potassium which reduces blood pressure, vitamin K which aids the body in blood clotting, fiber which assists in digestive health, and antioxidants which aid with overall skin health. There are also many ways to include avocado in your snack options, so you’ll never get bored of them.
- Two-ingredient chocolate banana ice cream
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Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, this recipe calls for five to six medium-size frozen bananas and one to two tablespoons of cacao. Cut the bananas into one-inch pieces and and blend until it has a creamy consistency, add in cacao until fluffy and smooth, and voila! Add fruit toppings, granola, or coconut shavings as you wish.
Take advantage of being in your cozy home to whip up some tasty snacks. There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a Quest bar or some trail mix, but putting together easy recipes like these can bring out your creative side while promoting mindful eating. Working from home may have its challenges, but a major upside is having the option to choose what you want to eat and not being limited to what your local cafe sells or being rushed to pack lunch in the morning to head out. Happy cooking!