Although it’s important to eat well when you’re teaching, it can be challenging to keep your snacks healthy, nutritious, and filling all at the same time.
The following 15 snacks have all three of these qualities, so you can rest assured that your energy won’t dip and you won’t eat too much junk food later in the day!
These are perfect for keeping in your desk drawer or stashing in your bag to take with you when you leave school at the end of the day.
Teachers often don’t have much time to prepare their own food, let alone to pack snacks and lunches to take with them throughout the day.
They’re on their feet all day, and they burn a lot of calories while they’re teaching and moving around the classroom, so it’s important that they keep some healthy snacks available to them at all times.
If you work in an elementary school or as an instructor at any level, these 15 healthy snacks for teachers will help you stay energized without compromising your health or your diet.
As much as you love your students, as a teacher, it can be hard to remember to take care of yourself as well.
Between lesson planning, grading papers, and organizing your classroom, healthy eating can easily fall by the wayside, especially if you’re too busy to prepare wholesome snacks and meals at home.
However, when you neglect your health in favor of focusing on your students’ learning, not only will you start to feel the effects but you’ll also find it harder to keep up with them on their educational journeys.
So let’s look at some other options than just hiding a sushi roll in your top draw.
Nuts are a great source of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
They also make for a good grab-and-go snack; stash them in your bag or desk drawer to munch on during teacher meetings or when you need a quick afternoon pick-me-up.
Be sure to look at ingredient lists first, though; some packaged nuts may contain unhealthy preservatives and additives.
Try these out: almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and peanuts.
Granola bars are a great choice for health-conscious teachers who are always on the go.
Not only do they provide sustained energy but they’re also loaded with fiber and can help keep you feeling full.
Granola bars come in many flavors, including chocolate and peanut butter, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored.
Choose bars that are higher in protein as these tend to be more filling.
Also, be aware of the sugar content as well, go for as natural as possible!
Fruit is full of fiber and nutrients, making it a tasty, healthy snack. The best part?
Unlike processed foods, fruit doesn’t contain preservatives that can take a toll on your health and energy levels over time.
All fruits are not created equal, however; opt for fruit in its whole form as opposed to juices or dried fruits—oranges and bananas are better options than orange juice or banana chips.
And steer clear of added sugars whenever possible.
Though often thought of as a vegetable, edamame is actually young soybeans in their pods.
Packed with protein and fiber, edamame is a good source of nutrients like magnesium and zinc.
They’re also easy to throw into your purse or pack into a lunch bag, making them a healthy snack you can have at any time.
Dried fruit may be an acquired taste for some people, but teachers will appreciate a handful of dried apricots or raisins every now and then.
Fruits are also packed with vitamins and minerals, which can help teachers stay healthy during long school days.
Dried fruits are also easy to store in bags or containers that don’t take up much space.
And because they’re lightweight, teachers can bring dried fruit with them anywhere they go!
The Perfect Healthy, Cheap, and Convenient Food.
If you’re a teacher, chances are you’re always looking for a healthy, convenient snack.
Thankfully, there is one food that checks all those boxes: popcorn.
Not only is it affordable—you can usually find a large bag of popcorn kernels at your local grocery store or health food store for less than $3—but it also doesn’t require any prep time.
Oats are a great source of fiber and protein—two things every teacher needs in their life.
Add some almond milk, bananas, and cinnamon, and you’ve got yourself a nice energy-boosting snack.
Oats can be eaten cold or hot. Bonus: They’re also easy to make!
Just boil water and stir in oats, then wait around 10 minutes until they thicken. Voilà!
You have yourself a healthy snack that is actually good for you.
Made from chickpeas, hummus is a tasty and nutritious snack that’s high in protein.
Store a small container of hummus in your desk drawer and enjoy it with veggies or crackers during a break.
Better yet, bring it along as an after-school snack when visiting students.
Not only are carrots packed with fiber, but they’re also low in calories and carbs.
Carrots are perfect for keeping at your desk because you can eat them whenever a craving strikes; just be sure to pack a small container of hummus or ranch dip so you can keep your portions in check.
If you don’t like eating raw carrots, try roasting them in your oven before packing them up and taking them with you.
A can of tuna fish is a healthy, easy-to-make snack that provides a good dose of protein—about 20 grams per half-cup.
You can eat it straight out of the can or mix it with some mayonnaise or mustard, a little celery, and an apple to make a tasty and filling tuna salad.
Keeping a few cans in your desk drawer makes sure you’re never caught without something healthy to munch on while you grade papers.
Tuna with rice is one of my favorite mid-morning snacks, but is a sweet potato a better option than rice? Find out here.
Protein balls are one of my favorite ways to sneak in a little extra protein.
I find that, even though they’re small and sweet, it’s easier for me to get my daily dose of protein by eating these rather than with a regular meal.
The best part? You can customize them however you want!
Protein bars are a great, portable snack option.
When choosing a protein bar, it’s important to read all of its nutrition labels before purchasing.
While many protein bars do provide some nutritional benefits, there are plenty that won’t keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal and may contain harmful ingredients.
Stick with high-quality brands and opt for bars with fewer than 250 calories per serving and 5 grams of sugar or less.
When you need a quick, filling snack that you can carry around with you wherever you go, consider a smoothie.
Smoothies are made with all sorts of ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, and protein powder.
They’re also a good source of calcium and vitamins B and C. Plus when done right, they taste delicious!
Get yourself a protein powder to give your smoothies some extra punch!
Cottage cheese makes a great snack for busy teachers because it’s easy to eat with one hand and keeps us full for hours.
Plus, cottage cheese has a lot of protein, so it’s a nice pick-me-up after some strenuous lesson planning!
Cottage cheese is also super cheap—especially if you buy larger containers and freeze what you don’t eat right away.
One of my favorite snacks when I was in school (and still is) is sunflower seeds.
These little seeds are high in protein and fat, meaning that you’ll feel fuller after eating them, as well as getting an energy boost from their healthy fats.
They also have a ton of antioxidants, calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
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