Best healthy snacks: Beat hunger cravings by eating smart, mindful munching

Healthy options that are rich in dry fruits are an excellent option for snacking between meals or during office breaks without making you feel bloated or lethargic (Images: Canva)

In today’s fast-paced work culture, snacking is almost inevitable. Whether it's a mid-morning energy dip, post-lunch slump, or a long Zoom call, our hands often reach for something quick to munch. But while the vending machine and cafeteria are stacked with chips, biscuits, and sugary treats, these choices rarely leave us feeling great.

So how does one beat the hunger craving and swap mindless snacking with mindful munching? It’s not too hard to make a healthy choice and opt for delicious, natural, and nutritious options by making these simple choices. Office snacks don’t have to be boring or guilt-ridden. With a little planning, you can turn your snack drawer into a goldmine of nutrition.

Organic mix:

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Ditch the deep-fried and highly processed foods for nutrient-rich alternatives like dry fruits, seeds, and wholegrain bites that keep you fuelled through the day. “Since dry fruits and seed mix is rich in protein and good fats, it is any day better than the deep-fried or canned products. Cranberries, raisins, apricots, salted pistachios — there are multiple ways to enhance your office snack breaks,” says Akash Sharma, Co-founder at Farmley.

These ingredients offer more than just flavour as they’re packed with antioxidants, fibre, and essential nutrients that support overall wellness without the post-snack sluggishness. Think of it as feeding your body and brain at once. While buying munchies, opt for brands known for their clean-label snacking options, and ingredients that are focused on wholesome blends of flavour and nutrition.

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Speaking about new-age innovative snacking options, Sharma informs, “Options that are rich in dry fruits are an excellent option for snacking between meals or during office breaks without making you feel bloated or lethargic. They are nutritious and contain a good mix of nuts like almonds, cashews, flax seeds and other healthy ingredients without any preservatives and added sugar content, which makes it a good option for daily consumption.”

Keep it moderate:

The idea is to balance cravings with choices that are convenient, clean, and satisfying. It’s easy to overdo it with packaged treats, but that doesn’t mean snacking itself is the enemy. In fact, smart snacking can stabilise energy levels and prevent overeating during mealtimes. Options like dates and makhana can instantly boost energy. From air-popped makhana to trail mixes infused with berries and seeds, the snacking game is evolving, and your desk drawer should too. Munchies made of makhana flour, regular dates, and millet snacks give you good energy and protein when consumed in moderated portions.

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Next time your stomach growls between emails, skip the chips and reach for something that’s just as tasty and ten times better for you. Don’t forget to look at the label carefully and watch out for the oil content and what quality of oil is being used. Ensure that the snack contains zero or as minimal level of added sugar and preservatives. Natural products are easier to consume and digest, so go for those options.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.