Have you ever tried to work on an empty stomach? If you’re anything like me, you can’t focus and are totally unproductive. Typically, when I notice my thought drifting, I’ll drink some water, get up and take a walk on the dialysis floor to visit with patients. If I still find myself unfocused, I know it’s not boredom, but instead hunger that’s making my brain fuzzy. But do I really want to eat my lunch at 10am? Nope., because then I’ll just be hungry by 1pm!
I now have a snack drawer in my desk filled with all kinds of goodies for these kinds of moments. Wanna know what my staples are? Read on to find out!
- Granola: Whether its a bag of Bare Naked granola or some mini KIND bars, this is a great snack to have on hand when I have a meeting with a patient right at meal time. It’s tasty and filling enough to hold me over until I have time to eat.
- Tea Bags: I get cold easily and everyone knows offices are always sweater weather! A cup of hot tea is the perfect way to warm me up and soothe my stress. I keep a variety of tea bags in my desk to fit my mood, both caffeinated and caffeine-free.
- Peanut Butter: A healthy fat, but also good source of protein, this is perfect for filling me up! Another bonus- peanut butter goes with almost anything, or it can be eaten right off the spoon.
- Oatmeal Packets: Sometimes I’m in a hurry in the mornings and breakfast is forgotten. Other times, I plan to go out for lunch but things happen and I’m stuck at work with no food. Oatmeal is something quick and easy, plus I can throw in some peanut butter or granola to make it more filling.
- Candy: This girl has a sweet tooth and by mid-afternoon, I’m definitely craving some sugar. It varies what I keep in my desk but Jolly Ranchers or mini chocolates are some favorites.
Interested in fighting off the workplace hunger but not sure what snacks you should take to work? It’s perfectly ok to keep treats in your desk, especially for those days when the stress just gets to you. Other great options are foods that you can eat just small amounts of such as nuts or seeds. You can always take thing home that you don’t snack on and bring in something else instead.
Paying attention to your hunger cues at work will help keep you more productive and focused throughout the day, something your boss is sure to notice! Instead of trying to ignore your growling stomach, be prepared and I’m sure you’ll get so much more accomplished!
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