Potable, filling snack for 3rd floor office

[Anonymous]

After having a baby in 2020 I have returned to full-time work. I work in my 3rd floor at-home office. I eat oatmeal at 8 am and need a snack to keep me going through the morning until lunch. I don’t want to break up my concentration by going downstairs or disrupt the toddler/nanny by showing up randomly.

I bought a box of kind bars which do the trick but need other similar suggestions. I dont have time to batch cook snacks ahead and I don’t have a mini fridge on the 3rd floor (although I would consider it).

I am late to this pandemic home snacking issue. Suggestions welcome from those who have figured this out!

[Anonymous]

You can buy packets of pistachios and also organic fruit roll ups at WF. That’s what I have in my office.

[Anonymous]

Also bananas are good for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also bananas are good for this.

Add a single serve packet of nut butter to that bananas and you should be good until lunch. I have also started keeping honey nut cheerios in my home office so if I have a snack urge I will eat something that might help my cholesterol.

[Anonymous]

Trail mix is good because you can graze.

Not sure if you have time for this, but making a smoothie with breakfast helps me. I can sip it for a couple hours if I put it in an insulated cup. I use frozen fruit (and fresh bananas) so it doesn’t take much time to make. Clean up is the issue but you can put the blender in the sink with water and clean up at lunch if you’re in a hurry.

[Anonymous]

This used to be my life! Sometimes I would grow faint with hunger I recommend those nuts you can buy at Trader Joe's that come in sealed individual-portion packs. There are many options but I like the cranberry, almond, cashew combo. Keep a big bag of them upstairs in your office. I also would keep a jar of peanut butter and a spoon/knife up there for when you are fading fast and need it. If you got a box of crackers you could be more civilized. Fruit is obviously good too, or a yogurt (it can survive a few hours on your desk) though my issues is that when I had a hectic morning or the nanny came early I would not have time to grab something to take upstairs and would just be hungry until they went somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Apples, bananas, clementines for fresh fruit but dried fruits work too. Most nut butters (peanut or other) are shelf stable enough - spoon or knife like a PP suggested but you could also have a loaf of bread that you keep there. If you had an electric kettle you could keep some of those dried cup of soups.

Not stuff you could keep up there all the time, but you could also bring up in the morning carrots, celery, etc. with hummus or similar, and it would be fine for a few hours. Likewise maybe a salad you could bring up in the morning and let sit - as long as you layer the ingredients with the sturdier stuff on the bottom it won't even get soggy or wilty.

[Anonymous]

I like Rx bars. Few ingredients and decent amount of protein

[Anonymous]

PB&J sandwiches don’t need refrigeration. Make some before you go upstairs.

[Anonymous]

Cheese sticks

[Anonymous]

Yogurt (it won't hurt it to be out for 3-4 hours unrefrigerated), cheese sticks and nuts or trail mix. You need protein. A bag of halos for the week would work, too.

[Anonymous]

Hard boiled eggs, nuts, apples, dark chocolate.

[Anonymous]

I have a similar work set-up and I go downstairs for snacks at regular times so as to avoid disruption to my kids - either when they are having their snack or when they are in their rooms napping. Otherwise, I'll grab a protein bar, banana, apple or cheese stick in the morning when I head upstairs to start my day. I eat a decent breakfast so a small snack is usually enough to get me to lunch, at which point I venture downstairs again. I also drink my morning coffee out of an insulated mug so it stays warm almost until lunch. Sipping on it helps stave off hunger between meals.

[Anonymous]

+1 to cheese sticks, yogurt, nut butter, etc. Make yourself a little bento box and take it upstairs with you. I find it also helps to have a kettle and tea at hand. Also consider getting one of those tiny 6-pack size refrigerators.

[Anonymous]

Bumblebee Snack Packs
https://www.bumblebee.com/products/

Ritz Bits - I like the peanut butter sandwiches, but you can also get cheese

Del Monte Veggieful Veggie Bowls - I like the Quinoa with Roasted Red Pepper
https://www.delmonte.com/products/snacks/veggieful

When I was pregnant/nursing, I’d often snack on peanuts, saltines, dried apricots, and cheese. You can adapt this to your preferences.

If you get an insulated lunch box and an ice pack, you should be able to have whatever you want cold for a snack - yogurt, sandwiches, single serve guacamole and chips, hummous, etc.

If you have a thermos for hot water or a coffee maker, etc., you could also do instant ramen, cup of soup, etc.