by Laurie Boris

Created on: April 29, 2009

It doesn't matter where you work - an office, a factory, a construction site, on the road or even at home - when you get busy, the odds of getting healthy food into your body are not in your favor. Your first urge when you're famished and only have a couple of minutes between tasks is to grab the nearest thing - and that thing usually comes out of a vending machine or off the back of a coffee cart. It's probably loaded with sugar, saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and not much else. And instead of giving you the sustained burst of energy you need to get you through until your next meal, it's going to leave you in a big fat slump. Eating healthier on the job requires a bit more planning and a bit more time. But the return can be a big payoff in how you feel and how well you function on the job. Instead of opting for a doughnut or bag of greasy chips, try some of these ideas for healthy snacks for the workplace:

1. Go nuts. A handful of unsalted almonds, walnuts or pecans (or whatever variety you like) can give you protein, fiber, minerals, and a decent dose of healthy fats. They're inexpensive and keep well in a desk drawer, and reasonably well in the warmer environment of your glove compartment, toolbox or locker. If you want to mix it up, add some dried fruit, like cranberries or raisins, for an extra energy boost.

2. String cheese. These handy, individually wrapped sticks of (usually) mozzarella cheese are low in fat, high in protein, high in flavor and keep well in a cooler.

3. Juice boxes. They're not just for kids! Instead of grabbing your usual non-diet soda, try this healthier alternative (as long as it's 100% juice and doesn't contain sugar.) It doesn't leak, and if you don't have a refrigerator handy, freeze it and keep it in your lunch cooler.

4. Yogurt. Bring this convenient and healthy treat in your lunch cooler (keep cold with your frozen juice box or commercially available ice pack) and you'll have an excellent source of protein, digestion-healthy probiotics (depending upon the brand) and up to a third of your daily requirement for calcium (again, depending upon the brand). Try to avoid those with tons of sugar and lots of chemicals. If you leave your yogurt at home, you may be able to find one at the deli where you get lunch or at a nearby convenience store.

5. Fresh fruit. Bring apples, pears, grapes, bananas or other easily eaten fresh fruit in your lunch cooler or stash them in your office refrigerator. Or, if you work from home, keep some fruit

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