"16 Smart Snacks for the Office"

"When the mid-morning or afternoon lull sets in at the office, do you find yourself reaching for something unhealthy to munch on? One of the lessons you learn on the South Beach Diet is how important it is to snack on the right foods. Healthy snacks can help normalize your blood-sugar levels at crucial points in the day. Diminishing swings in blood sugar also helps to curb cravings and keep you on a successful weight-loss track. The best finger foods to have on hand? Cut-up veggies, nuts, part-skim cheese sticks, and (on Phase 2) fruit are all great choices whenever you have the urge to snack. But there are many more options as well. Make sure to stock your desk drawer or office fridge with these simple, healthy snacks:

Phase 1

1. Raw veggies, such as celery, green or red bell pepper strips, cauliflower, and broccoli florets. Use hummus or 2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter for dipping.
2. Cold cuts (turkey, chicken, lean roast beef, boiled ham)
3. Part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
4. Nuts (15 almonds, 20 peanuts, or 30 pistachios), but be sure to stick to one serving; count these toward your daily nut/seed allowance
5. Cottage cheese (reduced-fat or fat-free) with salsa or chopped cucumber added
6. Dry-roasted or boiled, ready-to-eat edamame (green soybeans)
7. Sunflower seeds (3-tablespoon serving; count these toward your daily nut/seed allowance)
8. Greek yogurt (plain, fat-free)
9. Tomato juice or vegetable-juice cocktail, single-serving cans
10. Water-packed tuna and salmon (individual cans or pouches)
    
    On Phase 2, you can enjoy all of the above, plus…
11. Carrot sticks with a yogurt-and-herb dip
12. Artificially sweetened low-fat or nonfat flavored yogurt
13. Whole-grain crackers and reduced-fat cheese
14. A serving of high-fiber whole-grain cereal (a great snack without milk)
15. Dried apricot halves with almonds (7 apricot halves and 7 almonds), but be sure to count the almonds toward your daily nut/seed allowance
16. Trans-fat-free microwavable popcorn, individual pack (look for varieties that are made with canola oil)"

~from: South Beach Diet's "Daily Dish" newsletter