10 Next-Level Snacks to Eat at Work

By Lauren Ramakrishna

It’s 4 o’clock and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. You made it to the gym before work, impressed your boss with a stellar idea at a meeting, and are well on your way to conquering the rest of your to-do list. Only, now that you’re perched at your desk desperately trying to draft a semi-coherent memo, hunger pangs have your full attention. You need a snack — and you need it now. Sound familiar?

When the urge to nosh on a little something salty or sweet hits during the workday, skip the typical vending-machine fare or standby apple and string cheese — you can do way better. From sophisticated candy to a legitimately yummy way to eat chia seeds, these 10 treats will make snack-time your favorite part of the day.

Related: Your Lunch DIY, On The Cheap

Finally, you don’t have to choose between chocolate and candy. This kids’ adults’ dream of a white-chocolate bar is filled with Gummi Bears, Sour Patch Kids, and Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Onch Movement Monchie Bar, $7.99, available at Onch Movement.

Weirdly enough, these nacho-flavored dehydrated kale pieces are completely cheese-free. Sunflower seeds provide extra crunch and healthy fats, and make them a bit more filling.

Brad’s Raw Foods Brad’s Raw Crunchy Kale: Nacho, $7.99, available at Brad’s Raw Foods.

Related: The Girl Scout Cookie Oven Is Your Childhood & Adulthood Dream Come True

Amp up your admittedly stale veggies-and-hummus routine by topping Triscuit crackers with the creamy spread, Kalamata olives, and a sprig of parsley. Or, extend lunch (it’s the best part of the day!) with late-afternoon mini roast-beef sandwiches garnished with horseradish sauce and spinach.

Triscuit Original Family Size Baked Whole Grain Wheat Crackers, $8.99, available at Amazon.

Granola that tastes like cinnamon buns? With caffeine? We’re sold.

Get Up and Go Caffeinated Brainy Granola-Cinnamon Bun, $19.99, available at Get Up and Go.

Related: What Marilyn Monroe Ate For Breakfast

We think the banana flavor of this energy-boosting quinoa snack drink offers just the right amount of sweetness. (It also comes in apple, strawberry, blueberry, carrot and ginger, split pea, and tomato varieties.)

Nuwi Quinoa Drinkable Snack - Banana, $17.50, available at Amazon.

With their healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber, chia seeds are a powerhouse snack. When pre-mixed with almond milk and bittersweet dark cacao, they taste like a treat.

The Chia Co. Dark Cacao Chia Pod, $3.29, available at Whole Foods stores.

Related: We’re Calling It — The Biggest Food Trends In 2015

Trader Joe’s explains its Cookie Butter best, calling it “spreadable Speculoos cookies.” We suggest grabbing a spoon and taking a big bite — yes, it’s great all on its own.

Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter, $3.69, available at Trader Joe’s stores.

How do you elevate a run-of-the-mill chocolate-covered pretzel? Dip it in a generous helping of creamy caramel, plus a hint of sea salt. Pair these treats with roasted peanuts to make a very grown-up, deconstructed Snickers bar.

Edward Marc Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Snappers, $12, available at Edward Marc.

Related: Iced Coffee Gets A Glamorous Update

This popcorn is slow-fired with real jalapeño slices for a welcome kick.

Pop! Gourmet Popcorn Fire Corn - Real Jalapeno Popcorn, $5.99, available at Pop! Gourmet Popcorn.

When a cup of coffee isn’t enough to get you through a late-day meeting, enjoy your java in healthy-bar form. This one gets its texture from cashews and almonds, sweetness from honey, and a dash of flavor from real coconut and vanilla.

Simple Squares Organic Snack Bar - Coffee, $29.99, available at Simple Squares.

Salted nuts can get a little, well, boring. Chili powder, garlic, onion, and other spices give these savory, dry-roasted cashews a flavor boost.

Yumnuts Cashews - Easy Cajun, $6.19, available at Yumnuts.

Up Next: Yes, Tacos For Breakfast Is A Real Thing