Filling, shelf-stable snacks that aren't that appealing?

PeachyPlum
PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
edited November 15 in Food and Nutrition
I pack my lunch for work every day, and I've been tossing a Clif bar in my backpack as an optional snack in case I get really hungry before it's time to go home.

Trouble is, I always want the Clif bar. Even when I'm not really hungry enough to justify eating it. So I end up eating it at 250 calories, and then I have to watch my dinner extra carefully to not go over, which sometimes means adjusting my meal plan.

I really need some snacks that will fill me up if I'm legitimately hungry, but aren't so delicious that I eat them whether I'm hungry or not. You know the whole "are you hungry enough to eat broiled chicken and spinach" thing...

I realized delicious is a subjective term, but... if it tastes like baked goods, chips, peanut butter or candy I'm probably going to eat it.

Other than almonds, I can't think of what I could bring that would stay good without refrigeration.
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Replies

  • Deena_Bean
    Deena_Bean Posts: 906 Member
    I'm the same - I have a fiber one protein bar in my desk at work or those "Man, I'm hungry" moments - it's about 130-150 calories, so a bit better calorie wise. I have some instant oatmeal as well. I really do have to be hungry to put the effort in to go make it haha.
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    Deena_Bean wrote: »
    I'm the same - I have a fiber one protein bar in my desk at work or those "Man, I'm hungry" moments - it's about 130-150 calories, so a bit better calorie wise. I have some instant oatmeal as well. I really do have to be hungry to put the effort in to go make it haha.

    Oatmeal is a great idea! I love oatmeal, but not so much that I'd eat it if I wasn't really hungry.
  • MamaJ1974
    MamaJ1974 Posts: 443 Member
    For me it's those packaged peanut-butter-on-crackers things. They're filling and it can sit at my desk for a week or two if I don't get hungry enough to eat it. But you say peanut butter is probably tasty for you no matter what, so that might not work for you...
  • glevinso
    glevinso Posts: 1,895 Member
    edited April 2015
    MamaJ1974 wrote: »
    For me it's those packaged peanut-butter-on-crackers things. They're filling and it can sit at my desk for a week or two if I don't get hungry enough to eat it. But you say peanut butter is probably tasty for you no matter what, so that might not work for you...

    The Cheese Cracker ones are also perfect for this. I like them a lot. But I don't *NEED* them and I never crave them. I usually bring a supply of things like that to leave at work and they only get eaten when I feel like I really need it.

    I'll also second the oatmeal suggestion. Again something I like very much but never crave and will ignore the packet on my desk for weeks unless I truly get hungry.
  • lishie_rebooted
    lishie_rebooted Posts: 2,973 Member
    beef jerky, Trader Joe's "just a handful" trail mix packs, oatmeal
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    Kale chips- low salt. I make my own and found they are a bit more bitter if you use less salt. I still like them but don't go for them unless I truly want/need a snack.
  • caseym87
    caseym87 Posts: 26 Member
    Clif bars are super tasty! They're like cookies, haha. I have Larabars in my desk at work, they taste okay, but they're not anything I get excited about eating.
  • jhanco1
    jhanco1 Posts: 1
    And Quaker has those "weight control" packs that are 160 calories but have a bunch of fiber and protein, so you'd knock off some calories but still get some nutritional benefit.

    Are fruits out of the question? Small apples and small bananas that run in the 70-100 calories range are what I often keep on hand at the office if I feel like I need a snack in the afternoon. They're appealing, but healthy. I buy the lunch box sized apples from Kroger.
  • CrabNebula
    CrabNebula Posts: 1,119 Member
    edited April 2015
    I haven't really found Cliff bars to be worth it in terms of calories to protein. I like the Simple Truth or Pure Protein ones much better if I have to eat something like that.

    I keep Quaker reduced sugar oatmeal and a water cooker at my desk and eat that sometimes as a snack or part of my lunch. In fact, will probably eat a packet today with the grilled chicken I brought as lunch.

    I also keep protein powder at my desk and have that as an afternoon snack after my workout. I use EAS Complete Protein - 150cals and 25g of protein. It generally takes me the rest of my shift to drink it. Premier Protein pre-made strawberry shakes that Costco sells are also pretty good. There are several protein shakes that are as low as 100 cals a serving.
  • shamcd
    shamcd Posts: 178 Member
    I'm in the same boat with my Fiber One bars. I have two boxes in my desk at all times, and I have a tendency to snack on them simply because they taste good. I also have an old box of instant oatmeal in there too that I hardly ever touch, so that oatmeal suggestion above might be the key :)
  • LovelyIvy466
    LovelyIvy466 Posts: 387 Member
    KIND bars. I eat them if I am hungry and need a snack. They taste ok, but I've never thought to myself, "I am so stuffed, but I just have to have that delicious KIND bar".
  • bibliocephalus
    bibliocephalus Posts: 74 Member
    I have had good luck with bringing 1/2 of a Clif bar. I also second the instant oatmeal. I prefer the reduced sugar version. I also have some single serving apple sauce cups in my desk drawer (unsweeted).
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    How about cutting the CLIF bar in half and taking half?

    Danactive yogurt shot.
    Roasted soybeans.
    Edamame beans, but they are same day.

    That's all I've got today.
  • CountessKitteh
    CountessKitteh Posts: 1,505 Member
    I have a box of (classic, not uber) Larabars in my office. They're in the 200 calorie range, so they're a bit better and they're definitely not "cookie" quality so they're easier to resist. I also have mini boxes of raisins. If I'm actually hungry, I'll eat them, but I'm never going to pick them as a mindless munching snack.
  • never2bstopped
    never2bstopped Posts: 438 Member
    I like to have almonds or walnuts on hand. They are filling have a good nutrient/ macro profile and I like them well enough, but I won't eat them mindlessly like I would with peanuts, pistachios,cashews, or sunflower seeds.
  • PeachyPlum
    PeachyPlum Posts: 1,243 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    I haven't really found Cliff bars to be worth it in terms of calories to protein. I like the Simple Truth or Pure Protein ones much better if I have to eat something like that.

    They totally aren't. They're perfect on days when I end up getting stuck at work unexpectedly for a 12 hour day, because they're like half a meal. But as a protein supplement or a snack to hold me over, they're basically cookies.

    I'm getting lots of good ideas here, thanks to everyone who has responded!
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
    Haha - I am so the opposite. I have a drawer full of Clif bars that are on the verge of expiring because I don't eat them unless I'm really hungry and need a snack. Sometimes I'll just go hungry because I don't want to eat them. Clif bars just don't taste good to me, I guess!

    Other shelf stable snacks - powdered hummus - I take it backpacking and it's actually really good. It takes a few minutes to rehydrate, so you have to want to eat a snack to take the time to let it reconstitute. Jerky - again... I don't really like it that much, but when I need calories and protein, I'll eat it.
  • ForeverSunshine09
    ForeverSunshine09 Posts: 966 Member
    I 2nd bananas they fill me up but, I rarely crave a banana.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,966 Member
    I keep turkey jerky at my desk for hunger attacks on days I stay late at the office.
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    Wasabi peas - they last for ages and the flavor is strong enough that you can have just a few and put them back away.
  • fallingwave
    fallingwave Posts: 108 Member
    A few things I currently keep in my desk drawer that may work for you:

    Instant Oatmeal packets
    Banana chips (these can get dangerous for me, though)
    Roasted edamame
    mini popcorn bags
    can of soup
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Fruit- fresh, canned or dried
    Uncut vegetables, canned vegetables
    Popcorn
    Suflower seeds
    Tuna
    Canned beans
    Dry cereal- like plain cheerios

  • jenniferinfl
    jenniferinfl Posts: 456 Member
    I keep a sandwich bag of 7 triscuits in my car for emergencies.. lol I'm not wild about triscuits though, so that works.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    An apple, A few dates, Sunflower seeds, plain popcorn, plain carrot sticks.
  • Eudoxy
    Eudoxy Posts: 391 Member
    edited April 2015
    Apple. I keep one in my car. I like them, but only eat them when I'm hungry. They're surprisely filling for the calories.
  • bibimazoon
    bibimazoon Posts: 50 Member
    single serve tuna foil packets, like 190 calories and so not a delicious snack but ok as a meal or if I was truly hungry
  • marissafit06
    marissafit06 Posts: 1,996 Member
    Squeezable applesauce. You can find unsweetened varieties that are low cal and give you the sensation of eating to satisfy snackishness.
  • iamfashiontribes
    iamfashiontribes Posts: 26 Member
    I find a large organic apple usually takes the edge off & keeps me from gnawing my arm off. That powdered peanut-butter PB2 isn't bad, either. You mix 2T. w/some water & create insta-PB to spread on the apple for only an additional 45 calories. A canister of PB2 can last a while, too.
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    CrabNebula wrote: »
    I haven't really found Cliff bars to be worth it in terms of calories to protein. I like the Simple Truth or Pure Protein ones much better if I have to eat something like that.

    This. I keep lots of Luna protein bars around and will eat one for breakfast when I procrastinate and run out of time in the morning. They're 170-190 calories with basically the same amount of carbs, protein, etc. as a Cliff bar. That would at least give you wiggle room for your other meals.

    Other than that, I usually don't buy foods that I don't find appealing. I find that my pretzels (Rold Gold honey wheat or cheddar tiny twists) last longer than my chips because they're not quite as salty-fatty, but that's about it. Normally I'm snacking on poptarts and cheetos, so.... I'm the picture of health, obviously ;)
  • maria0104
    maria0104 Posts: 64 Member
    Chilli pistachio nuts? We can buy the extra hot ones here and I love pistachio nuts but I'd never be able to eat more than a handful in one go.
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