WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET THE MUNCHIES AT WORK AND THERE ARE STILL HOURS TO GO BEFORE DINNER?

Reaching for a candy bar from the vending machine will only lead to a sugar rush that ends in an unpleasant crash not long after. Keeping one of these healthier snack options at your desk gives you something to fuel your day until you can head home for the evening meal.

This is really important because eating healthy is a big part of the equation when it comes to getting the South Beach Body. Trust me, I would love to eat whatever I want all the time, but snacking healthy really helps me keep my body looking the way I want it to – which isn’t to say it’s absolutely perfect, but it’s a body that I am very proud of.

Here are a few of the healthy things that I snack on almost every day. I think you’ll really like these too!

1. A BOWL OF FRESH FRUIT

Simple, quick and delicious, fresh fruit comes in its own natural packaging thats easy to carry wherever you go. Fruit is high in fiber, vitamins and minerals and low in calories and fat. For a true treat, hit your local farmers market and sample whats in season.

2. A HANDFUL OF DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS

It doesnt take more than a handful of raisins and almonds or a couple of dates and some walnuts to boost your energy for the afternoon. Choose raw nuts and unsweetened dried fruits without any added ingredients and portion out single servings into baggies. Pop a few of these into your desk drawer for a quick afternoon pick-me-up.

3. RAW FOOD BARS OR BITES

The growing interest in the raw food movement means that you can find a wealth of delicious, portable snacks made with real ingredients like nuts, seeds and dates. If you have a food processor, you can make your own versions of these compact sources of energy and add your favorite ingredients. Enjoy a nutritious cookie with flavors like chocolate peanut butter or oatmeal raisin.

4. VEGETABLE STICKS AND HUMMUS

For a great combination of healthy carbohydrates and lean protein, cut up your favorite vegetables and grab a tub of low-fat, oil-free hummus to dip them in. Veggies can be divided into containers or bags and kept in the fridge so that you can grab them on your way out the door.

5. NUT BUTTER AND RICE CAKES

Rice cakes are no longer the dry, lifeless snacks of yesterdays dieters. Unsweetened, unflavored brown rice varieties have a nutty flavor that makes the perfect base for your favorite natural or raw nut butters. Add some low-sugar jam for a touch of sweetness and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from the combination of whole grains and healthy fats.

6. GREEN SMOOTHIES

If youre a smoothie fan, why not make some extra when youre whipping up your morning drink and put it in a jar to enjoy later at work? Include a good balance of fruit and leafy greens for a rejuvenating, alkalizing snack that packs a nutritious punch.

7. HOMEMADE VEGETABLE CHIPS

The veggie chips that you find on store shelves tend to be just as bad as regular potato chips when it comes to fat and salt. Make your own healthy alternative by slicing up sweet potatoes, regular potatoes and beets, sprinkling them with salt and pepper and crisping them up in the oven or a dehydrator.

With these nutritious snacks on hand, you can avoid the call of the vending machine and enjoy healthy energy all afternoon long.

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