Best Healthy Snacks for Work – Benefits & Office Snack Ideas

healthy snacks for office workers - being eaten in office kitchen

What are healthy snacks to eat at work? How can we help employees make better decisions when it comes to snacking in the workplace?

People spend a great deal of time on the job. About a third of their lives! It’s tempting to purchase processed snack packs or give in to candy. Not the healthiest options. And, a little each day really adds up over time.

It happens, right? Your employees work hard. Sometimes, they’re stressed or just drained. They need fuel or a “pick-me-up” to keep them going strong and performing.

But would they give their best if they snacked on the best instead? It’s worth considering. Today, we’ll give you a few office snack ideas that taste delicious and bring nutritional value to the table – or to the desk, in this case.

Benefits of Healthy Snacks for Office Workers

So, what are the benefits of healthy snacks at work? Let’s look at how healthy snacks for the office kitchen positively affect employees on the job.

The article by Harvard Business Review, “What You Eat Affects Your Productivity,” encourages us to have healthy snacks for work. Productivity rises when we do. Managers, listen up! These are your people. Help them make good snacking decisions.

Healthy in Mind & Body

Fresh snacks for the company matter. It’s easier to graze on good foods when they’re readily available. Your employees need access to delicious and nutritious whole foods. This way, they’ll likely avoid mental fog and sluggish behavior. Food is fuel. We often compare our bodies to Ferraris in this analogy. But would you feed your Ferrari the cheap stuff? You can. But don’t expect top performance.

Energy, Mood & Focus Boosts

Candy bars aren’t cutting it. Employees are facing the afternoon slump and sugar crashes. Grazing on nutritionally rich snacks for office workers makes a difference. Energy is high. Mood improves, and your office maintains healthier bonds. The crew feels good, and they work together. They focus on creating solutions.

Confidence All Around

best healthy office snacks If your office has access to healthy snacks, you’re helping them take healthy steps in their lives. They feel better. They can even begin to look better, gaining confidence. This confidence can give root to healthier relationships around the workplace.

Your customers and/or clients may even notice the shift. When workers eat better, they perform better. When they have clear minds and energy, they make smart and even creative decisions.

Free & Appreciated Office Perk

Most of the time, post-lunch is the most difficult time of the day. The workday wears on, and we’re just trying to keep up. Healthy afternoon snacks for the office will be accepted and appreciated. More and more, people are taking charge of their health. They will reach for the banana or apple if it’s provided. Many offices use corporate fruit delivery to keep workers supplied with fresh fruit. Help your office establish better snacking habits. It’s a worthwhile investment.

8 Best Healthy Office Snacks

A quick scan shows you a fruit-forward list. And that’s the healthy direction we’re headed in. These are, without a doubt, some of the best healthy snacks to have at work. We’ll give you a brief description that explains why.

According to Live Science, here is the rundown:

1. Bananas

Great source of fiber and potassium; sweet and curb appetite; excellent for weight loss

2. Apples & Pears

High in fiber and Vitamin C; low in calories with no sodium, fat, or cholesterol; helps with bone health, GI protection, and weight management

When are apples in season? Find out in our recent blog post.

3. Oranges & Clementines

Known for Vitamin C; improves heart health, skin, cholesterol levels, and immune system

4. Avocados

Praised as a superfood; loaded with Omega-3s, protein, potassium, fiber, and vitamins; low in sugar and great for cholesterol and heart health

5. Grapefruit

Good source of antioxidants and fiber; helps with immune system and digestion; boosts weight loss and lowers cholesterol

6. Grapes

Filled with nutrients and antioxidants; great for the heart; good source of fiber, Vitamin K, B, and copper

7. Strawberries/Blueberries

Small punches of antioxidants; studies show that berry intake is linked to lower risk of cognitive decline (in older adults)

8. Mangoes

Known to boost the immune system, as well as eye and blood health; low-calorie snack with high fiber and vitamins A and C

 

All of these are great snacks to have at work. Make your office kitchen, break room, or conference area inviting. A rainbow of healthy snacks can do just that!

5 Dallas Best-Kept Wellness Secrets

office fresh fruit delivery

“Off The Beaten Path” Suggestions for Healthy Living in DFW.

HIKING

Cedar Hill. If you park on the east side of the Cedar Hill 9th Grade Center during non-school hours, you’ll find an open field with a steep slope that serves as a trailhead for some of DFW’s best hiking. You will be led into more than four miles of trails which sit on property once owned by Northwood University, with terrain reminiscent of the best of the Texas Hill Country. Cedar and juniper frame tracks narrow and wide, and there’s even the remnants of an Exertrail (monkey bars and all) over to the east. The elevation changes are as challenging as one can expect in our area, with limestone primarily underfoot to keep the trail from getting as muddy as its Cedar Hill Nature Preserve counterpart. 1515 W Belt Line Rd, Cedar Hill, TX 75104.

BIKING

Oak Cliff Nature Preserve. While many cycling enthusiasts know about this south Dallas gem, there are many casual trail riders who have lived here for decades with no idea of its availability. The trailhead can be accessed by taking the DART Rail Red Line to its Westmoreland Station terminus, and from there, 6.5 miles of intersecting trails can provide hours of interesting technical riding among the pecan and bois d’arc. The preserve is part of the Texas Land Conservancy and maintained by the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association2875 Pierce St, Dallas, TX 75233.

EATING

ORCHARD At The OFFICE. This Richardson-based office fruit delivery service has a single purpose: to deliver fresh fruit to businesses in the DFW area. Offerings come in artfully-arranged fruit baskets or in bulk packages for larger operations. Bananas, apples, avocados, clementines, and even mangoes and grapes are available to offices any day of the week. They’re ideal for offices looking for healthy snacks or to make the most of their wellness budgethttps://orchardattheoffice.com 972.295.9091.

DRINKING

Eiland Coffee Roasters. Another Richardson business, Eiland imports coffee beans from all over the world and roasts them in an enormous cast-iron apparatus in their warehouse. They specialize in coffee by the pound, and the beans they supply from various Ethiopian, Brazilian, and Sumatran regions (to name just a few) will make you a coffee snob. Recently they’ve put more energy into their retail side, so whether you’re looking for a vendor for your business or a great-tasting latte, they’re a great choice. http://www.eilandcoffee.com 532 N. Interurban St, Richardson, TX 75081.

WORKOUT

Sweat Society. Just southeast of Frisco’s main square sits a workout facility that serves as an antidote to the big box gym concept. Sweat Society is more of a shared workout experience with seasoned trainers guiding clientele through High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) methods. Loyalty remains high as regulars feel like family, and the skillset of the training staff gives every session a personalized feel. https://sweatsociety.net 7151 Preston Rd Suite 141, Frisco, TX 75034.

Fresh Fruit At The Office Sells Itself

fresh fruit at the office sells itselfWe don’t sell our fresh fruit delivery service so much as offer it. “Would you like fresh fruit delivered to your office?” After that, it’s simply a matter of sorting out the details. ORCHARD At The OFFICE is proud to provide fresh fruit delivery to businesses throughout the Dallas / Fort Worth area. It’s what we do and it’s all we do. Our singleness of purpose gives us the ability to focus on providing the highest quality service to the best of our ability.

FRESH FRUIT SELLS ITSELF

Our fruit baskets consist primarily of “the ABCs” – apples, bananas, and clementines. Bananas are the most popular fresh fruit, not only in Texas but in all of the United States. Americans consume an average of 13.5 pounds per person! The apples we use are primarily JAZZ, a cross between Gala and Braeburn with a subtle sweetness and enduring firm texture that satisfies most palates. Of course, we offer a variety of other fresh fruit, including grapes, berries, mangoes, and so on. With the popularity of the ketogenic diet, we’ve also seen a spike in avocado demand and are happy to accommodate.

fresh fruit in fitness center

OFFICES ARE GETTING HEALTHY

In the past decade, one of the major corporate catchphrases has been “wellness programs.” Company-driven initiatives to promote employee health are encouraged and incentivized. In its worksite wellness manual, the Texas Department of State Health Services lists a variety of measures that businesses can take to improve the fitness of their workforce, including health fairs and “healthy food.” This is, of course, where fresh fruit comes in. (For more information on what your company can do, refer to this D Magazine blog post on “Getting The Most From Your Wellness Program.”)

SUPERIOR CUSTOMER SERVICE

In 2017, we shared some of our secrets on ORCHARD At The OFFICE customer service, and we could probably write a dozen or more articles on the topic…especially as we learn more all the time. The most salient points for anyone thinking “what’s the best office fresh fruit delivery near me?” that comprise the ORCHARD At The OFFICE difference are:

  • We’re local. As a Texas-based company, we can be attentive to your needs in a way that is simply not possible for any larger operation. We’re your neighbors in DFW and Greater Houston and think of you as such.
  • Personalized attention. It never benefits us to oversell. We want you to get “the best banana for the buck”. We’ll work with you to get the quantity and variety you want in a mutually-beneficial arrangement.
  • Simple financial terms. There are never any contracts, so you can try us out with no commitment. We’re certain our fresh fruit and obsessive customer care will keep you coming back. We’ll work with you to provide the service you need. Payments can be made by check (paper or electronic) or credit card.

ANY BUSINESS, ANY SIZE.

Some of the offices we serve have a staff of 5. Others have a workforce of 3,000. Therefore, we’ve developed options that will accommodate any office. While our most common order is a weekly delivery of a Premium Large Basket which holds 50+ pieces of fruit,  we’ll gladly deliver smaller orders such as our Mini Basket (16+ pieces), all the way up to our “Fortune 600 Special”, a bulk special that will satisfy hundreds of staffers. Whatever your needs, we’ve got you covered.

Visit the ORCHARD At The OFFICE website to get Wellness Delivered today.

If you’d like to speak with someone directly, call 972-295-9091.

20 Questions with Orchard At The Office

office fresh fruit delivery

Today, we’re playing 20 Questions with Kevin Long and Chris Buchanan of the Richardson-based office fruit delivery service ORCHARD At The OFFICE, who have served the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 2010.

Q: Describe your company in fifteen words or less.

BUCHANAN: We deliver fresh fruit to Metroplex offices.

LONG: That’s it. Seven words.

BUCHANAN: Do we win anything?

LONG (laughing): I don’t think it’s a competition.

Q: Where did the name “ORCHARD At The OFFICE” come from?

LONG: I wanted a name that told a story, that gave a clear mental image and conveyed a journey. Here, in this basket of fruit, you have an orchard…right here at your office! It’s worked well for us.

office fresh fruit delivery

Q: Give us a Fun Fruit Fact we may not know.

BUCHANAN: If you took every fruit on the planet, laid them side by side, and attempted to name them all aloud, you’d irritate people. Even Harlan Pepper would tell you to stop naming fruits.

LONG: One thing I like to show people is how to peel a banana from the bottom, the way monkeys do.

BUCHANAN: And when you do it that way, you don’t get the phloem.

LONG: Right. That’s the technical name for the stringy matter inside a banana.

BUCHANAN: I should have made that my fact. (sighs) I had my chance, but it’s gone forever.

Q: Speaking of bananas, what’s this “bananigans” thing all about?

LONG: It’s really a state of mind, a reminder that health and happiness go together. Whether it’s the “banana smile” or juggling clementines, moments of silliness provide levity that add dimension to a workday.

Kevin Long and Chris Buchanan bananigans
Bananigans at D Magazine

clementine

Q: You describe yourself as a “local business”. What exactly does this mean to you?

BUCHANAN: Well, the company was founded right here in the Metroplex – Richardson, specifically. Our home office is here, our staff lives here, and our fruit is sourced from here. While it may be grown elsewhere – I’m certainly not aware of any pear orchards in Rowlett or Euless – the lifeblood of this business is Dallas. These are our friends and neighbors we’re serving.

Q: What’s the most popular fruit in Dallas?

BUCHANAN: Bananas are by far the favorite. We sell tons every week – and that’s not a figure of speech.

LONG: Yeah, bananas are the most popular, but whenever I’m in a conversation with someone, I’ll often ask them what their favorite fruit is. So many times, people say mangoes! I’m not sure why that is, because I don’t see nearly as many people actually eating a mango, but that’s what they say.

BUCHANAN: They could be lying.

LONG: Yeah, they may be lying.

bunch of bananas

Q: So what’s your favorite fruit?

BOTH (in unison): Mangoes.

Q: What are the smallest and largest offices you serve?

BUCHANAN: There’s one business with only three people, but they’re very dedicated to healthy living, so they go through our 16-piece Mini Office Basket every week. As the Metroplex is the home to so many large-scale operations, we’ve created options for everyone, such as our “Fortune 600 Special”. This helps us serve companies with over 1,500 employees.

Q: What do you do with any surplus fruit?

LONG: When we’re doing really well, there’s barely anything left over at the end of the week! When there is, we donate it primarily to two organizations: the Harvest Project, and the Samaritan Inn in McKinney.

Q: Tell us more about the Harvest Project.

BUCHANAN: Harvest Project is an amazing organization. It was started in 2014 by Danae Gutierrez, who has served on the DISD board and is truly an inspiring individual. It’s a community project that provides fresh produce to families in need at no cost. They’ll provide fruits and vegetables, give recipes and instructions where appropriate, even teach them to shop for bargains. Like Ms. Gutierrez, Harvest Project represents real, grass-roots action to promulgate positive change in Dallas.

Danae Gutierrez of Harvest Project
Danae Gutierrez of Harvest Project

Q: What do you suggest Dallas can do as a whole to stay more fit?

LONG: Eat more fruit, of course!

BUCHANAN: Yes. Beyond that, though, we don’t make nutritional suggestions. We leave the dietary recommendations to those far more qualified. Besides, there’s very little consensus and we try to stay out of the fray!

Q: Understood. That said, are there some more pragmatic tips you can suggest?

BUCHANAN: Some things are fairly straightforward. We did contribute a blog post to D Magazine awhile ago with some basic suggestions for how to stay healthy at the office, five minutes at a time.

Q: Along the same lines, how did y’all get involved with the Dallas Running Club?

LONG: That started in 2016 with one of our administrators, Leah Hinton. She’s friends with Erin and Sean Jett, who served on the DRC Board at the time. They were looking for a business willing to donate bananas to their races, and since we believe very strongly in the maintenance of a vital running community for Dallas, we’re happy to help! It’s a great partnership.

BUCHANAN: Yeah, the Dallas Running Club means a lot to us. My wife is an athlete who has logged more miles than I care to count and the whole history of the DRC, Tal Morrison, and White Rock Lake as a sort of “running sanctuary” are fascinating to me. It really feels like we’re part of something special.

Dallas Running Club Race
Orchard At The Office provides bananas for Dallas Running Club races

Q: What are the trendy fruits right now?

LONG: Avocados are the biggest trending fruit right now. Last year, America spent more importing avocados than any other fruit, including bananas. That is an entirely new development, and our sales reflect the popularity of avocados.

office avocado

BUCHANAN: Definitely. I’d also have to say that clementines, also known as “Halos” or “Cuties”, do extremely well. There’s actually several different varieties of citrus we conveniently call “clementines”, and they’re all delicious and have lots of mouth-watering appeal!

LONG: Chris handles our marketing, as you can tell.

BUCHANAN: Fresh fruit, y’all! Visit our website right now to learn more about our office fruit delivery service!

Q: What’s the most unusual fruit you’ve ever sold?

LONG: Durian!

BUCHANAN: Oy vey. Here we go…

LONG: He hates durian, but I love it. Durian’s an Asian fruit that looks like a giant pod – about the size of jackfruit but even more spiky – and when you open it, the edible fruit almost has a banana pudding consistency.

BUCHANAN: And there all resemblance ends.

LONG: It does have this very complex, powerful aroma. I get why people don’t like it, but I find it fascinating. Eating durian is an event!

BUCHANAN: So’s a tsunami. All I’m saying is that there’s a reason it’s banned on Singapore Rapid Mass Transit. It’s exponential: it starts off smelling like a field of chives, then comes the sulfurous essence, then what can only be described as a “rotting” smell kicks in. Then it’s like they all compete with one another to see which can fill the room quicker. And that pretty much describes the flavor.

LONG: Hey, I’m not saying everyone will like them. More for me, that’s what I say!

Q: Talk about the “seven banana myth”.

BUCHANAN: OK, I learned about this from Karl Pilkington…and when I say “learned”, it was clearly some sort of nonsensical urban myth. The idea was something to the effect that if you ate more than six bananas in a day, you’d have a lethal potassium overdose. It’s been thoroughly debunked in a number of studies, of course, but like Twinkies or zombies, misinformation has no shelf life – it’s always staggering back from its grave to eat the brains of the living.

Q: From a delivery standpoint, what’s your favorite building in Dallas?

LONG: I’ve always liked delivering to the Comerica Bank Tower. The freight dock is efficient, the security staff is courteous and professional, and the entire building is very attractive and easy to get around.

Orchard basket with Hunt Bridge

Q: Are there things you’ve learned about Dallas as a result of delivering fruit here that you didn’t know before?

BUCHANAN: Well, I’ve certainly gotten to know all the local structures and the business that dwell within them. I used to go to Klyde Warren Park, for instance, and I’d look around and think “oh, there’s that cool new building with the blue glass, and there’s the one with the D Magazine logo” and so on. Now I’m thinking of the building names, and exactly which business is in there, and which ones are our customers and which ones will be.

Q: What kind of music could we expect to hear at ORCHARD At The OFFICE headquarters?

LONG: That totally depends on who’s in the office! You could hear everything from ambient to metal. I like to have music going to keep the brain’s alpha waves going. But every once in awhile, I’ll mix it up with some Tool or Van Halen.

BUCHANAN: I gravitate toward jazz fusion or any music that Outcry Theatre might employ in one of their amazing shows. I love the music of Tori Amos and Sigur Rós, and that sometimes creates problems as I find myself listening to it a bit too much and getting all emotional and weepy.

Q: Sell me fruit. Right now.

BUCHANAN: Our fruit really sells itself. Quite often, if we make people aware that there’s this office fruit delivery service in Dallas, that concept generates interest.

LONG: Everybody loves fresh fruit. “Would you like a banana?”

BUCHANAN: I would, actually. Let’s go eat.

LONG: Sounds good.

fresh fruit basket
Premium-quality fresh fruit for Texas offices

Healthiest Fruits to Snack On at Work

Replacing unhealthy snacks with fruit when you’re at work is a great way to keep in shape and to make sure you avoid that afternoon slump. The sugars contained in soda and candy bars give you an immediate energy rush, but can quickly lead to a crash that has you reaching for coffee or energy drinks. The healthiest fruits to snack on at work offer sustained energy and nutrition in every flavor-packed bite.

Fruit contains sugar but also contains lots of fiber, which slows down how quickly your body processes the sugar. It also contains vitamins and other nutrients that you won’t usually find in processed, pre-packaged foods. You might already have your favorites when it comes to choosing a piece of fruit to snack on, but here’s a list of the healthiest fruits.

healthiest fruits to snack on at work

Healthiest Fruit Options

It’s important to eat a mix of fruit and vegetables because different kinds have different nutrients. Experts recommend at least five servings a day, which should include a lot of variety. The following are some of the healthiest fruits to snack on at work.

Bananas

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits and it’s not hard to see why. They are easy to eat, tasty and contain a range of the nutrients our bodies need every day. One banana gives you 33% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin B6, which is important for your nervous system and metabolism.

They are also one of the healthiest fruits to eat while dieting, because a medium-sized banana contains only 105 calories, but can still be very filling! This makes it one of the healthiest fruits with the lowest calories and a great source of dietary fiber.

Mangoes

Mangoes are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient that help protects against many kinds of illnesses, they are also rich in Vitamin K and one of the best fruits for Vitamin A. As well as being one of the healthiest, they are also a delicious fruit with a unique flavor, which make a perfect snack in the morning or afternoon. 

Apples

Apples are one of the healthiest fruits to eat every day and one of the best fruits for vitamins and minerals. A medium-sized apple is under 100 calories and rich in Vitamin C, giving you 17% of your recommended daily intake of fiber. Apples are high in antioxidants, which help fight against cell damage, and a lot of the nutrients are in the skin of the apple. Eating an apple, skin and flesh, provides vitamins and minerals you need, with no fat or cholesterol.

Avocados

avocadoAvocados are often eaten in salads or mashed up to provide the guacamole in your burrito, but they are actually a fruit. Technically avocados are large berries, though you probably won’t ever find them chopped up in a sundae. What is for sure is that avocados are one of the healthiest heart fruits and the best healthy green fruits.

Avocados are high in healthy fats, which are good for the heart. They are also one of the healthiest fruits for Vitamin K, an important nutrient for the blood.

Clementines

Citrus fruits like clementine oranges are among the healthiest fruits for vitamin C, which is crucial for the growth and repair of every part of your body. Vitamin C helps keep your skin, muscle, bones and teeth in top condition, and is one of many healthy hair fruits. Clementines are smaller than most oranges, and so are quick and easy to eat, but still give you 60% of your daily intake of Vitamin C.

With just 35 calories in one clementine, you could eat an entire bag and consume fewer calories than one doughnut!

For office fruit delivery, visit our website.