Return to Office? Choose the Best Healthy Office Snacks

Did you know that the snacks your coworkers eat affect their work quality and efficiency? Studies show that smart food choices directly correlate with how productive, engaged, and creative people are. So, if your company is planning a return to office soon, it makes sense to stock your break room with healthy office snacks that will keep your team in top shape.

Let’s take a closer look at the links between food, productivity, and the workplace, then dive into some tasty and healthy office snacks for your work pantry.

The Link Between Food and Productivity

We all know that food powers our bodies and satisfies our cravings. That’s why workers love free food so much! According to a 2023 report, 53% of employees say they feel more productive at work when given free food, 54% feel more focused, and 78% feel more energized.

That said, different foods vary in the quality of fuel they provide. Snacks packed with simple carbs and sugar give a quick burst of energy but cause a crash afterward. Other snack options can provide sustained energy but force your digestive system to work harder, leaving you feeling lazy and groggy. It’s important to strike the right balance.

Health experts have studied the connection between the diet and performance of workers, and they always conclude that people who eat healthier perform better. More specifically, when workers eat more fruits and vegetables, they see improvements in engagement, productivity, motivation, and cognitive function.

The Impact of Healthy Office Snacks

Not only do healthy snacks improve performance and engagement, but healthier workers also take fewer sick days and incur lower healthcare costs. Furthermore, healthy habits can reduce workers’ compensation claims by as much as 25 percent. That’s a significant savings! 

So, which snacks should you provide your team for the best results? Here are some ideas, many of which you’ll find in our thoughtful snack boxes.

Healthy Snacks for the Work Fridge

Vegetables – Fresh vegetables provide a broad range of nutrients, and there are many to choose from. Try these for snacking: baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, snap peas, cauliflower, celery, and edamame. (Note: Not all vegetables require refrigeration. Some, like tomatoes, are best at room temperature.)

Yogurt – Yogurt is a protein-rich snack that promotes a range of health benefits. It’s a good source of calcium and promotes digestive health. You can offer plain yogurt, or keep things interesting by providing things to mix in, such as fruit, nuts, granola, or honey.

Cheese – Cottage cheese contains protein, B-complex vitamins, and healthy fats; you can also purchase it in single servings. Another convenient snack is string cheese, which provides protein and vitamin A. Employees may also enjoy pepper jack or cheddar cheese sticks.

Healthy Snacks for the Break Room Pantry

Nuts – Nuts are a good source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and heart-healthy fats. They’re also delicious, filling, and easy to snack on. You can buy them in bulk or in individual servings. There are a wide variety of choices, including pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, macadamias, Brazil nuts, and walnuts. You can also opt for mixed nuts or a mix with seeds or dried fruit. Raw or dry-roasted nuts are the most nutritious options.

Fruit  – Whole fruit contains a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals — you can read up on some of its health benefits here. Plus, there are dozens of tasty types to choose from. Ideally, you want to rotate your office fruit selection based on what’s in season (it will be the freshest and tastiest). In addition to fresh fruit like apples and oranges, you can provide dried fruit, snacks made from real fruit, or frozen fruit (to use in smoothies).

Protein Bars – These are great healthy office snacks to keep in the break room. They are usually packed with vitamins and minerals, healthy fats, and protein. They are also easy to grab and eat on the go. Some have better ingredients than others, so be sure to check the label. You don’t want to end up with a candy bar marketed as a protein bar!

Fish – This high-protein food rich in omega-3 fatty acids can give employees the nutrition and energy they need without weighing them down. Canned tuna and salmon are perfect for a quick meal or to add to salads. Some fish even comes in pouches for convenient on-the-go eating. 

Nut Butter Packets – Like nuts, nut butter is delicious, healthy, and comes in convenient single-serving packs. You can find nut butter made from nearly every nut, including peanuts, almonds, and hazelnuts. They’re a fantastic source of protein and unsaturated fat. Your team can eat the nut butter straight, spread it on toast, or pair it with an apple or pear. 

Popcorn – Popcorn is a simple snack that provides whole grains, antioxidants, and fiber. A small amount can fill someone up without loading them up on calories. For the healthiest version, purchase kernels your team can scoop into a brown bag and pop themselves, or buy bags of already popped popcorn without too much added butter or salt.

Jerky – Few things are better than jerky when you’re looking for lean, protein-packed healthy office snacks. It’s quick and easy to eat and comes in a wide variety of flavors. Your staff might like jerky made from different meats such as beef, turkey, venison, or pork. There are also vegan jerky options.

Dark Chocolate – A supply of single-serving dark chocolate is always good to keep around. It tastes like dessert but can promote good cardiovascular health, boost mood, and satiate hunger without the high sugar content of milk chocolate. A small piece is a rich indulgence that will satisfy a sweet tooth. 

An Easy Office Snack Solution

Are all of these snack choices making your head spin? Check out The FruitGuys’ Thoughtful Snack mixes. We make enhancing your snack program easy by curating a rotating selection of unique, delicious, and wholesome snacks and delivering them to your office. 

Our fruit and snack boxes are also a great choice for fully in-office or hybrid teams. Set up delivery for your staff during your most active work days and keep less perishable individual-serving snacks on hand for lighter or hybrid days. 

Final Snack Thoughts

Now you know: Stocking your pantry with healthy office snacks can boost your team’s health, happiness, and productivity, and make your return to office more productive. To see this in action, try enhancing your snack program and tracking your results through employee surveys and key productivity metrics after the change. 

You’ll find that healthy office snacks improve your bottom line, help your coworkers feel more valued, and keep them excited about work.