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Snacking tips while at work Snacking, surprisingly, is not as harmful as it seems.  The important thing to remember is to pay attention to what you are snacking on.   When people snack at work they are often eating fast and furiously at their desks. This habit is dangerous because when eating fast, you are most likely eating more than you normally would. Also, many people snack because of stress or boredom, not because of hunger. It is easy to overcome these common problems. There are many ways to include healthy snacking in the workplace. Snacks including protein, fiber, and fat are good choices.                                                 Bring healthy and easy-to-carry snacks to work instead of buying chips and sweets at the cafeteria.  This is better for you and will save you some money as well.    Keep a lot of fresh fruit in your refrigerator at home so you can easily have at least two pieces a day.    Don’t store too many less healthy snacks at home, like chips and cookies.  Choose more fresh and natural snacks and less processed snacks.    It is also important to seek a balance in your snacks.  Keep the food pyramid in mind and try to eat from the groups that you don’t normally get out of your regular meals.    Easy and healthy snacks to bring to work: Celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins Rice cakes with peanut butter Low fat cheese cubes Hardboiled eggs Fruit yogurt cup Trail mix Vegetable sticks with low fat dressing Cucumber slices Yogurt and granola Pickles Apples, bananas, and strawberries Grapes Fruit smoothie in a thermos Broccoli or cauliflower bites Raisins   For more ideas on a healthy lifestyle, visit http://www.nutrition.musc.edu/nutrition.htm. For information on a weightloss program, visit http://www.muschealth.com/weight.  Friday, July 1, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.