Staying Fueled on the Job

Do you ever feel an energy slump during your workday? Staying fueled on the job can sometimes be a challenge, especially when you have a long day ahead. 

While there’s no magic cure to keep you perfectly energized, strategic snacking may be an effective solution to help you power up. It all depends on the kinds of snacks you eat. Here, we bring you our top snacks for energy to get you through the workday.

Why You Should Be Snacking at Work

If you’re experiencing a dip in your energy while at work, you may need to bring up your glucose levels, also known as your blood sugar levels. Glucose is your body’s main source of energy and helps keep your brain fueled. Your body gets glucose from the food you eat. If you haven’t eaten in a while, your glucose levels can drop and make you feel sluggish. 

Eating a quality snack can boost your glucose levels and according to Harvard, “provides a boost of energy if several hours pass between meals and blood glucose levels drop.” Plus, a wholesome snack at work can help you get your calories in during the day and tide you over till your next meal. 

Components of High Energy Snacks

Quick Energy

Snacks for quick energy are made of simple carbs and have a high glycemic index. Your body digests them quickly, and rapidly sends the glucose to your bloodstream, which your body then uses as energy. That’s why we often get a “sugar rush” from things like desserts and processed foods.

Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to a mouthful of candy when you need instant energy. There are actually nutrient-rich, high-glycemic snacks for quick energy, such as bananas, carrots and dried berries. These foods offer a wholesome option while still delivering you the energy surge you need.

Long-Lasting Energy

Foods that give longer-lasting energy tend to have a low glycemic index. This means your body absorbs the sugars of these foods slowly and delivers the glucose steadily to your bloodstream instead of in one quick burst. These foods deliver sustainable energy levels that last longer.

Snacking on the Job Site vs at Your Desk

On Site

For on-site job snacks, pack snacks that travel easily and won’t crush in your bag. If you don’t have a cooler handy, you’ll likely want snacks that don’t require refrigeration and are easy to keep fresh. Also, select simple snacks that require minimal cleanup, so you can quickly get back to work right after powering up.

In the Office

Unlike snacks for on-site jobs, you have a little more leeway with snacks for the office. You may have a refrigerator at work, so you’re free to select perishable items. Since you’re sitting down, you also have the option to eat foods that require utensils. Choose office snacks that are easy to eat at your desk and don’t make a huge mess. The last thing you want is to splatter food on your keyboard!

Jerky

Jerky is a great snack for any on-site or desk job. It’s nonperishable and comes in convenient packaging, making it easy to take with you anywhere. Plus, it doesn’t require any cleanup!

Jerky is a quality source of protein. For instance, Jack Link’s Original Beef Jerky has a heaping 10 grams of protein per serving. It’s seasoned with sea salt, soy sauce and a blend of sugars that enhance the natural beefy flavors. A few scrumptious bites will get something in your stomach until your next meal!

Nut Butters With Veggies

Enjoy this simple snack right at your desk in five minutes or less. Nut butters can be a quality source of protein and fiber to give you long-lasting energy. Veggies that go well with nut butters include celery and carrots. Dip them right into your nut butter jar or use single-serving nut butter packets for a less-bulky option. 

Energizing Smoothies

When you have no time to cook breakfast, enjoy an energizing smoothie to tide you over till lunch. Smoothies are easy to carry in a portable container and don’t require any utensils or cleanup. Just drink at your leisure when you have a few spare minutes!

Smoothies have the potential to give you both quick and long-lasting energy, if you choose the right ingredients. Yogurt, fruit, nut butter, protein powder, ground flax seeds and fresh greens are all wholesome options. 

Seeds

Seeds are nonperishable and easy to carry in a portable baggy or container. This makes them perfect for on-site or office jobs, as you can quickly sneak a handful when you need a simple energy boost. 

Seeds are small and nutrient-dense, so a few seeds go a long way. For instance, a single ounce of roasted pumpkin seeds has over five grams of protein and fat, and just over 15 grams of carbs. This can give you an instant energy surge while also keeping you satisfied till your next meal.

Energy-Dense Bars

From chocolate protein bars to fiber-rich breakfast bars, there are many delicious energy-dense bars to give you quick and long-lasting energy. Plus, energy-dense bars only require you to tear open a wrapper and dig in. They’re quick to consume and nonperishable, which makes them ideal for any on-site or office job. 

Fresh Fruit

Whether it’s a crisp apple or a mixture of berries, fresh fruit is a wholesome option for quick energy and long-lasting energy. They tend to have a higher glycemic index, but many fruits are also a quality source of fiber. They’re also easy to eat and require little cleanup, which is ideal for eating at your desk.

Jack Link’s Cold Crafted® Snacks

Smoked meat and cheese are a mouthwatering combo. Our cold-crafted snacks help you stay fueled at work and have a variety of nutrients. They’re easy to eat and are a no-mess option for your desk job. Enjoy them as sticks, bites or linkwiches®.

Bananas

We already mentioned fruit, but bananas deserve their own section. That’s because bananas have a high-glycemic index for quick energy and contain nutrients like carbs, minerals and vitamins. They don’t need refrigeration, so you can enjoy them easily whether you’re on-site or at the office.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

Eggs are a low-glycemic food, with one egg having 6.24 grams of protein and 5.01 grams of fat. They’re small, travel well, and just need to be peeled from their shell, making for an easy cleanup. Keep them in your cooler or office refrigerator when you need to fuel yourself quickly for long-lasting energy.

Yogurt

Between answering emails, enjoy a serving of wholesome yogurt. Non-fat, plain Greek yogurt has a low-glycemic index for long-lasting energy, but you can also add some honey or fruit for quick energy. Just avoid yogurt with high amounts of added sugar, so you can avoid sugar crashes.

Power Up at Work With Energy-Fueling Meat Snacks

When you need quick energy to help sustain you on the job, our smoked meat snacks are a delicious option. Our tender jerky, sticks and bites are portable, nonperishable and easy to take with you anywhere. Stock up on our many flavors at a store near you.