Delicious Snack Foods

The middle of the afternoon is often the longest part of the day for some people. The work day begins to drag on, hunger creeps in and dinner still seems very far away. A snack can be just the thing that you need to perk up and get through the rest of the day. A delicious snack food does not have to be overly sugary or fatty. Instead, pick something that is packed with energy to sustain you until dinner.

Wasabi Peas

• Wasabi peas are cooked and dried peas coated with wasabi, the famous hot Japanese member of the horseradish family. Wasabi peas are extremely crunchy, which gives them a very satisfying mouth feel. Additionally, the hotness of the wasabi, while addictive for those who love spicy foods, generally prevents you from overeating.

Hummus and Pita Bread

• Hummus is a classic Middle Eastern spread made by combining garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt in a food processor or blender. The result is a delicious dip that goes well with pita bread or crackers. Hummus has plenty of protein and fiber, along with unsaturated fat.

Toasted Corn

• Toasted corn is a surprisingly simple snack, often consisting of nothing but corn, corn oil and salt. Whole kernels of corn are baked or fried with the oil until they are completely hard, like a corn chip. Best for those with strong teeth, toasted corn is a very crunchy snack that you can make in your own oven, allowing you to adjust the oil and salt levels in accordance with your dietary preferences.

Rice Cakes

• A rice cake is a square or disc-shaped snack made by pressing puffed rice grains together in a mold with a binder. Rice cakes are very low in calories but tend to contribute to a feeling of fullness in the stomach, making them popular with dieters. If you are not dieting, add protein and flavor to your rice cakes by sandwiching a little peanut butter between them.

Vegetable Assortment

• Buy an assortment of several fresh vegetables at the beginning of the week and stretch them by giving yourself a small amount of each one to take to work every day. Some popular vegetables for snacking include carrots, celery, radishes and broccoli. You might also consider adding a few olives for the healthy unsaturated fat. If you become bored of the standard vegetables, try picking up a selection of Japanese pickles from your local Asian food market. Remember, dipping your vegetables in a fatty ranch or blue cheese dressing might be tasty, but makes the snack significantly less healthy.