In Italy, we call working from home “smart working.” Though smart working may be a convenient solution during the coronavirus quarantine, the battle against gaining weight is more difficult than ever before.
At home, maintaining a high level of concentration can be challenging to say the least – well, that and resisting the urge to keep opening the fridge to check for snacks. So – if you’re going to keep checking the fridge anyway, why not make some tasty, healthy snacks, perfect for appeasing your hunger and giving you a boost of energy to finish some work!
5 meals a day, every day
Don't forget that five meals a day are essential – working from home or not. It’s considered beneficial for your health to never skip breakfast, lunch or dinner. Oh, and don’t forget about mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks, either! You can also make more snacks a day if you feel the need, but eating healthy is essential!
Dried fruit, fresh fruit, a yogurt, fresh vegetables, a chocolate cube – these are all part of a normal, balanced diet. But do not exceed the quantities – especially if you aren’t really that hungry; sometimes you might just be eating due to anxiety or boredom. To quench that “nervous” hunger, sip a scented and spicy unsweetened herbal tea.
Healthy and tasty snacks
Here are some quick recipes to prepare when your stomach is grumbling and requires more than just a simple fruit. Indulge yourself with something that we usually eat as a snack… Just make it more exciting! Take a little more time for yourself to dedicate to making (and eating) your usual snack, so the sense of satiety will last longer.
Don’t forget that a good presentation helps, too! Set the table just for your snack and don't eat in front of the computer. It only takes a few minutes and the moment will be much more enjoyable.\
Yogurt & chocolate
What may seem like a bit too much for a quick and healthy snack is actually the ideal option for when you’re hungry and want something that’s less on the “healthy” side. A protein concentrate with low fat and low sugar: dark chocolate mousse.
How do you make a dark chocolate mousse? Very simple. Just melt 20 g of 75% dark chocolate in a microwave or bain-marie and let it cool for a few minutes.
Once cooled, mix everything in a large cup with a pack of low-fat white greek yogurt.
Decorate with coconut flakes or a sprinkling of cocoa!
Side note: 20 g of 75% dark chocolate is the ideal amount of chocolate to consume daily – even if you follow a low-calorie diet.
Edamame cream
Edamame are soybeans (i.e. the kind you find in Japanese restaurants), but now you can buy them frozen at most supermarkets. Edamame can be quickly prepared by steaming or simply heating the package directly in the microwave for a few minutes.
Once cooled, eat them with a pinch of salt on their own or make edamame cream for toasted crostini or to accompany raw vegetables in a pinzimonio (with extra-virgin olive oil, of course).
Blend the edamame with a handful of peeled pine nuts or almonds, a little water, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and use this sort of “hummus” as a snack, but also as an addition to pasta or a sandwich. You can also add grated parmesan cheese or fresh herbs (i.e. basil or mint). Rich in protein and nutritionally balanced, this a healthy snack to make a habit out of!
Black cabbage chips and pumpkin or sweet potato sticks
These two ideas are perfect for an afternoon snack that feels a bit like an Italian aperitivo. Turn on the oven and – in just a few minutes – you have crunchy vegetables to munch on!
To make black cabbage chips, simply wash the leaves and cut the softer part. Dry well, season with very little oil, salt, and spices (to taste) and put in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. If some of the leaves are still soft, let them cook a little more.
Pumpkin and sweet potato chips are made similarly to baked potatoes – with a stick shape. Clean the potatoes and the pumpkin, cut everything into fairly thick sticks, and season with oil and salt. Bake at 400°F (200°F) for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy with a cream made of low-fat white yogurt, lemon juice, chives (or mint), mustard, salt, and pepper.
Spoonful of avocado
According to nutritionists, one avocado a day would be a quick cure-all for our well-being. And since the classic avocado toast is more a complete meal than a quick snack, we suggest a simpler and quicker idea.
Cut an avocado in (keeping the skin on), extract the seed and season with oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Then use a teaspoon to dig out the pulp and enjoy your healthy and energetic snack made with super good fats.
Cooked fruit
Usually, a fruit is indicated as a snack when you’re on a diet, but maybe having a sliced apple, banana or an orange isn’t really going to put you in the best mood. So – how about a snack with fruit… that’s slighty more appetizing and equally healthy?
Baked apple is often an underestimated solution, for example. Just wash your favorite apple, dry and cut in half. Place it in an oven dish with baking parchment and sprinkle with the juice of an orange or lemon. Season with a handful of almonds or walnuts, a sprinkling of cinnamon and a little brown sugar. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes. Eat baked apple while it’s still warm. This is more than just a healthy snack – it’s delicious!
But what about bananas and oranges? Try caramelizing them! Cut the bananas in half lengthwise and cook with a little brown sugar, cinnamon, and some lemon juice. Once well-browned, serve with a spoonful of yogurt.
The same goes for the oranges; cut them into sections (with or without the peel and seeds removed) and caramelize with a drop of Marsala. Add some star anise to the cinnamon if you’re feeling daring!
If you’re working from home and no longer know how to satisfy your food cravings, browse the photo gallery!