Essential Desk Pantry

I saw something similar in a magazine recently and thought it was a super clever idea. If you work in an office or cubicle, what are some necessary and shelf stable items to keep at your desk to keep you happy, healthy, and satisfied? My guidelines for the Essential Desk Pantry have you covered throughout breakfast, lunch, snacktime, and even when the boss makes you stay late and you miss dinner.

1. Prepackaged nuts: for snacking, pre-workout fuel, or even sprinkled on salads or oatmeal. Keeping sealed, individually packaged nuts avoids the mindless handfuls too

2. Spices & Seasonings: salt and pepper to add some flavor to any of your leftovers, and cinnamon to add a kick to your coffee/oatmeal/yogurt

3. Teas: for caffeine purposes and also when they crank up the AC! Also great for when you aren’t actually hungry but want something to eat or drink

4. Nut butters: awesome on celery, bananas or to add protein/fats to your breakfast oatmeal, toast, or yogurt. They also last forever

5. Real mugs (or bowls/plates): to add some some positive, zen, non-office vibes to your cuberhood

6. Plasticware: is it just me, or is the communal kitchen always out of forks?!

7. Beverages: Seltzer water is great for when cravings hit

8. Non-can opener soups: A LIFESAVER when you don’t have enough time to get lunch and you didn’t bring anything from home. These can be opened up with scissors/teeth/pencils, depending on how hangry and desperate you are. Heat it up in the microwave in your real mug (or bowl) and have a side of fruit/nut butter!

9. Supplements: I like to keep my supplements at my desk because then I never forget to take them - I’m reminded whenever I grab a pen

10. Shelf stable fruit: You can keep apples, oranges, and pears for days/weeks at your desk, and bananas for up to a week depending on its ripeness. It’s a great healthy reminder to have near you when there are tempting (but super sugary) options left over from someone’s birthday in the communal kitchen

11. Oatmeal: Keeping pre-packaged, unsweetened oats at your desk ensures that you’ll never have to skip the most important meal of the day, and always have a whole grain option instead of the box of breakfast pastries at the meting

12. Protein bars: These can be a snack or even a breakfast meal replacement if you’re running late

Group Discussion: Do you have any items that you always stash in your bag or at your desk to have on-hand? Anything I should add to the list?

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