Picture this: you’re slumped over in your ergonomic desk chair in a fluorescent-lit corner of your open-plan office. It’s 3 PM on a Tuesday, daylight savings time has ended and it feels like the sun’s going to set any minute now. Your stomach starts to grumble - lunch was two hours ago, and you still have a laundry list of tasks to accomplish before quitting time. Everything seems bleak, so you scroll through the dog channel on Slack for some respite, but you can only look at so many puppies in one day. Grumble. There’s your stomach again.
Welcome to the dreaded mid-afternoon snack attack. There’s no time to go out to Sweetgreen for another salad, a bag of chips from the vending machine just won’t cut it, and a 100-calorie pack of Almonds feels sad. Stock up on these wholesome, kid-sized snacks to power you through your next workday—they’re guaranteed to make things at the office feel a little less serious.
Pirate’s Booty
It’s no wonder kids go nuts over Pirate’s Booty. These puffed corn and rice snacks are covered with powdered aged white cheddar (think fancy, puffy Cheetos) and are seriously addictive. It’s almost impossible to stop munching on these once you start, so luckily they come in perfectly-portioned 1-ounce bags. Pirate’s Booty has protein, but zero grams of fiber, so pair a bag with a crisp green apple for a more satisfying snack.
Clif Kid ZBAR
I love Clif Bars because they pack a nutritional punch, but sometimes I don’t feel like I need an entire bar. That’s why I love ZBAR, Clif’s line of smaller, dairy- and gluten-free granola bars that come in delicious dessert flavors like oatmeal cookie, chocolate brownie and chocolate chip. Need a little more staying power? ZBAR recently released a line of protein bars with 5 grams per serving.
Kashi Super Food Bites
These Super Food Bites from Kashi taste like mini Fig Newtons. Made with whole grains and only 9 grams of sugar per package, they’re are an excellent substitute for an afternoon cookie. Available in chocolate (my favorite flavor) and berry, these bites are also peanut-free, so it’s safe to send them to school with your kid, if you feel like sharing.
MySuperSnacks Organic Granola Bites
MySuperSnacks apple raisin granola bites check off almost all of the food restriction boxes: they’re vegan (i.e. dairy- and egg-free), nut-free, low in sugar and kosher. MySuperSnacks donates meals and snacks to soup kitchens and community feeding programs, meaning these granola bites will satisfy both your stomach and heart. Crumble them on top of plain yogurt for a midday desk parfait.
Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies
You probably already know and love Annie’s for their mac and cheese (shells and white cheddar or bust!). Cheddar Bunnies are part of Annie’s line of bunny-shaped snacks, which include graham crackers and fruit snacks. Made with organic cheddar and natural colors and flavors, Cheddar Bunnies are like a high-brow Cheez It you can feel good about eating.
RXBar Kids
RXBar changed the protein bar game with their simple, gluten-free bars made with egg whites, nuts, dates and “no B.S.” Just like Clif Bars, RXBARs can sometimes be too big for a light snack. That’s why I love the smaller RXBAR Kids, which are made with the same wholesome, real food ingredients as their full-sized parents that won’t make you feel like crap.