Morning everyone, day 2 and doing great. I am looking for suggestions for things one can keep at their desk safely (none bug inviting!) for snacks. We have a full kitchen here so I'm actually set up pretty well, but I'm not always able to just get up from my desk. I know nuts, but olives?? Can you keep a small jar of them without having to keep them refrigerated?? (my thinking is that the salt would keep them from spoiling.) And jerky - is this a good option, or something to be careful with? I don't want to do any bars, I fell into that trap on Weight Watchers and found they are a weakness for me.

Thanks in advance!!

Tara

I wouldn't think that olives would be a problem if you brought them fresh each day, just a few in a small container. I wouldn't leave them out for days on end, though.

Cheese sticks are also a good snack, and it won't hurt them to be at room temperature for a few hours.

A snack I really like is to nuke a slice of cheese (I love provolone or sharp cheddar for this) for about a minute, or perhaps a tad more. They crisp up, and are just as good as chips for a snack. I make mine on a small Dixie plate, I've found they just work the best. The provolone usually takes just under a minute, but the cheddar takes about 80 seconds, at least in my microwave oven. Let them crisp up on a plate, and then put them into a zipper bag. They'll keep a long time. I like to break them up like crackers on my low carb chili.

You could also keep a container of pepperoni handy. Just keep a few napkins on hand, to wipe the grease off your fingers. And, of course, the ever-popular pork rinds. Good crunch, no carbs. Great snack!

Hope these ideas help.

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Nita

For better or worse, on several occasions I have kept a small jar of stuffed olives in my desk drawer for several weeks without any adverse consequences. I figured that the brine was a preservative and that seemed to work ok. Also, I would stay away from nuts, except in an absolute, dire, there is nothing else emergency. They are loaded with calories and can cause stalls.

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Henry

I just want to pick up on a couple of the excellent pieces of advice.

First, I LOVE the cheese crisps. I usually make mine on a piece of freezer wrap - shiny side up - so there's another alternative and pretty cheap, too. Also, I sometimes make cheese crisps with the blandest, whitest, american cheese slices (that are cheese, not "cheese food") and, before nuking, sprinkle with sesame seed, poppy seed, etc. For Sunday am breakfast, I often make an "everything" cheese crisp. Sesame, poppy, sea salt & dried onion sprinkled on top. So it's not a bagel. It's still a nice "platform" for some cream cheese & lox.

Second, for a snack, I generally bring ALL my food to work every day - including snacks. That means that I have to decide, IN ADVANCE, how many nuts, or olives, or cheese crisps, or whatever, constitute a snack. When they're gone, they're gone. My snack is over. I find that, for me, putting a whole bunch of anything at my desk will almost inevitably lead me to eat more of it than fits into my plan. Everyone is different, of course. I'm just prone to keep noshing as long as "noshables" are available.

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I'm wondering how anyone finds time to snack. As soon as I stuff something in my mouth, the phone rings or someone walks in. I'm more likely to just keep a mug of coffee or water handy. Of course, I'm able to go home for lunch, so I make sure to have an adequate amount so I don't get hungry in the afternoon.

Maggie, I've even tried a bit of peanut butter on my cheese crisps. They were ok, not something I'd do often. I love the idea of sesame seeds, though. I have some in my spice drawer, I might just have to try them soon. Thanks!

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Nita

I like all of the suggestions above, and I agree that (during induction anyway) you should probably steer clear of the nuts (at least for now). If you DO eat nuts, go with Maggie's suggestion of measuring or counting them out and taking ONLY what you are allowed to eat for a snack. I'm just like Maggie; if I have a full container of ANYTHING and I'm working, I'm likely to absent-mindedly eat more than I intended.

I realize that you can't keep jumping up and going to the fridge, but if you planned in advance for a single snack to keep there, you could maybe take some deviled eggs or some celery and cream cheese. Also, I like broccoli and ranch dressing.
HTH,

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Summer

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I have GOT to try those sesame poppy seed cheese crips (I have a feeling this will be a wonderful weekend nosh for movie watching!)

I did get some smokehouse almonds - funny, 2 of those and I was "ok, that's enough" - my appetite REALLY has decreased, which is good!

I've also noticed as the week progresses, I'm not so EEK about having a snack.

Again, thank you ALL for the wonderful suggestions and support!

sugar free jello, either make it yourself, or buy the packages already made up and bring one or two to leave in your desk... Boullion cubes... tho low in carbs can be high in salt and some people stall... tea bags... have a cup of tea instead of eating something, the warmth is comforting and drinking a cup of tea may just fill you up enough to not want something....
15 minute rule... if you give yourself 15 minutes before wanting something you may find that you don't really "need" it....
I keep cans of tuna in my drawer for times when I forget to bring something and I usually have mayo in my drawer in the fridge(I took over one of the bottom drawers and keep my lettuce, dressings, mayo, cream for coffee, any thing i bring for the week... taco salad fixings (sour cream, salsa, avocado)...so...
hope this is some more help
c

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carolyn in texas
started 8/11/03 327/268/177
5/20/08/ - 348
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