Shelf-Stable Snack Stockpile

[ninecrayons]

Hello all!

As it's almost time for us teachers to head back to work, I wanted some advice about building up a snack drawer for myself in my classroom. I often stay later at work for meetings, planning, etc and don't sometimes am terribly hungry. However, I'm also calorie conscious, so empty calories like chips and such won't really work.

I would love some suggestions on things I can keep in my snack drawer that meet the following criteria:

1) Reasonably long shelf-life
2) Will not need to be replaced daily/weekly.
3) Reasonably healthy/calorie friendly.
4) Can be made with only access to a microwave.

Some items I am currently stocking/planning to stock include:

1) Pistachios
2) Reduced fat peanut butter
3) Crackers
4) Jam
5) "Compleats" meals
6) Low-cal popcorn

I would love any thoughts or tips people have.

 

[megsoro]

Clif bars! Careful though- at 300-400 calories they add up quick. But they will keep you full forever

 

[nolacindy]

Go-G0 Squeezable applesauce! I know they are supposed to be for kids but they work for a quick snack that is sweet and I can keep it at work. Love the peach and mango ones. 60 or so calories and they are cheap.

 

[squirrel]

Dried fruit-raisins, cranberries, etc.

Real dried fruit snacks/bars.

 

[cheap traveler]

Granola bars that are marketed to adults. You know the ones, they all say "PROTIEN" on the front.

I would skip the low-fat peanut butter and go with natural instead. Similar shelf life, without all the chemicals. Tastes MUCH better also. Sure, it's higher in calories, but Americans aren't getting fat on peanut butter.

Nuts - high in protien, nice crunch, a little salt. They have saved many an afternoon for me at work.

Mini boxes of cereal. Low cal when you need a sweet fix. They make single-serve bowls of honey nut cheerios, great for Disney too

 

[squirrel]

Oatmeal packages

 

[It's A Happy Day]

I always keep a couple cans of progresso soup in my drawer with a mug handy..... there are plenty of low-cal, healthier choices for soups and make a great quick meal if needed too.

 

[auntmeme7577]

Almonds are very filling
Packets of high fiber Oatmeal
Aldi's version of Atkins bars, 10g protien and half the price
baby bel cheese

 

[texasroni75]

Campbell's Healthy Request soups - lower sodium and actually LOTS more flavor than the regular versions. My favorite is vegetable.

Atkins meal replacement bars. Buy the ones labeled "Snack" or MEAL". Low carbs, high protein - keep you full a long time. Taste way better than most of the protein bars on the market in my opinion. Just don't get the "treat/endulge" ones. They are high in sugar alcohols which give some people belly aches. There are almost always coupons online for them.

I like dried fruits but their sugar content is too high for me. I prefer peanuts, cashews or almonds in the individual serving pouches.

 

[amie416]

I like the Quaker mini rice-cake snacks that come in chip-like bags, I find them filling and satisfying when I just need something to crunch on. I think they've recently been re-branded as "Quaker Popped"...

 

[Narnia_girl]

I love the Campbell's microwavable soup at hand. They only have a few flavors, and are more expensive than a normal can of soup, but in 1 min. or so you can have a hot snack (mini meal) and is filling.

You can also find healthy versions of fruit cups on the store shelf near the pudding.

Hope you have a great school year!

 

[LaurLaur04]

Watch out for those Compleats meals....most are slam packed with sodium!!!!

 

[Nina1]

You have to be careful with prepackaged/canned meals and soups. They usually have a very unhealthy amount of sodium and preservatives. What about Kind bars? Not the ones with chocolate coatings, as they have a high content of saturated fat (anything over 2 grams or whatever the measurement is, should be avoided). Healthy fats, like those in nuts, are good in moderation. After all of that, in addition to the Kind bars:

Protein bars for adults (again, watch the saturated fats)

Whole grain crackers and natural peanut butter (no extra oils, just peanuts)

If you have a fridge, hummus and aforementioned crackers or cut up veggies

Nuts

Dried fruit (sometimes very high in sugar, though)

Rice cakes with aforementioned peanut butter

 

[ellone]

You have to be careful with prepackaged/canned meals and soups. They usually have a very unhealthy amount of sodium and preservatives.

Canned food also contains BPA - it is used in the can lining. A tomato soup will leech out more BPA than others.

 

[ninecrayons]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm going to add a lot of these to my "to buy" list.

I would skip the low-fat peanut butter and go with natural instead. Similar shelf life, without all the chemicals. Tastes MUCH better also. Sure, it's higher in calories, but Americans aren't getting fat on peanut butter.

Normally I would never get the reduced fat as it's not really worth a 10 calorie difference. However it's all the had left after a big sale at my local store. Boo.

Watch out for those Compleats meals....most are slam packed with sodium!!!!

I agree - those are seriously just "safety" food and not at all intended as part of my regular diet. They are mostly there in case I need something more than a snack, or if I forget my lunch.

 

[LaurLaur04]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I'm going to add a lot of these to my "to buy" list.

Normally I would never get the reduced fat as it's not really worth a 10 calorie difference. However it's all the had left after a big sale at my local store. Boo.

I agree - those are seriously just "safety" food and not at all intended as part of my regular diet. They are mostly there in case I need something more than a snack, or if I forget my lunch.

It seriously sucks that the most convenient foods and cheapest are the worst for you....must be why I'm so fat lol

 

[scrapquitler]

Single serving cups of applesauce (I buy the no sugar added ones) and the snack pack fruits, packed in juice not syrup.

 

[sarah4770]

single serve tuna cups
nuts
sunflower seeds
hard boiled eggs if you have access to a fridge
fruit cups (mandarin oranges, etc.)
spagettios

 

[StephMK]

If you have a fridge, I like Laughing Cow cheese wedges with a handful of Wheat Thins. Also, not the healthiest but I love a package of fruit snacks for a quick sugar boost. Thanks for posting this, I have some new ideas to get for my drawer!