Best Millet-Based Evening Snacks for Working Professionals

Concerning the typical energy slump that working professionals face in the late afternoon or early evening, many of us turn to convenient but unhealthy snacks like chips, biscuits, and sugary tea-time treats. These may give a quick energy boost, but often lead to energy crashes, bloated bellies, and weight gain. 

The irregular schedules, sedentary office jobs, and high stress make evening snacks a much needed meal replacement in the lives of working people. Keeping millet snacks for office can support focus, productivity, and long-term health instead of harming them.

In this blog, we will be covering the importance of healthy Millet snacks for working professionals, top ready-to-eat millet snacks, nutritional benefits of millet snacks, and smart snacking tips for professionals. 

Why Millets Make the Perfect Evening Snack Option?

Some of the key reasons why millet evening snacks for office is a great option

1. Slow and steady energy:

In the case of healthy snacking, millets have been gaining popularity, being the ancient grains that they are. These grains are incredibly high in complex carbohydrates and resistant starch, and because of this, they're able to very gently trickle into the bloodstream, stopping the energy spikes and dips that come with consuming refined snacks. 

2. Rich in fiber and nutrients:

Millets are also teeming with dietary fiber, which keeps us regular, makes us feel fuller, and is basically great for digestion. They’re an excellent source of iron, magnesium, and phosphorus, plus plant-based protein. This makes them a brilliant choice for working people who need a healthy and energy-packed snack that’s also good for overall well-being. 

3. Gentle on the stomach

Many millets are gluten-free and go down easily, even with people who have sensitive stomachs. For those of us who are dealing with acidity, bloating, or irregular eating, a snack of millet is far more comfortable than a heavy fried snack or a creamy dessert.

Also read: A Guide to Healthy Gut Health with Millet Snacks

Top Ready-to-Eat Millet Snacks for Busy Work Schedules

The top three healthy millet snacks for working professionals include the following

1. Ragi/Bajra energy bars:

A very handy snack to keep you energetic throughout the day. Ragi and Bajra energy bars usually come with dates and jaggery in place of sugar and are rich in calcium and iron. There’s no mess, and they can easily be stored in your laptop bag or in your office drawers.

2. Roasted Millet Namkeen & Trail mixes:

These are great millet evening snacks for office. It’s dry roasted and usually contains natural ingredients like turmeric and black pepper to lend the flavour. 

It gives you the crunch of a chip and the goodness of protein and fiber, making it one of the best office-friendly snacks.

3. Baked millet Khakhra/Crackers:

Baked crackers or Khakhras made with Jowar are a great snack to store in your office bags. It is usually high in fiber, which helps keep the stomach clean during your long sitting hours. Accompanying it with a small serving of hummus or yogurt is the perfect way to beat your hunger before dinner.

The above-mentioned millet snacks for the office are a great addition to organisations looking to improve employee productivity and well-being. 

Also read: Nutritious Millet Snacks To Foster A Positive Work Space

Homemade Millet-Based Evening Snack Ideas

Some of the key homemade millet evening snacks for professionals include the following:

1. Raw millet and nut energy balls:

You can have a week's worth of energy balls ready in under twenty minutes by mixing sprouted millet flour, almond butter, honey, and seeds when in need of a quick snack. Coming rushing off the press, these no-bake energy balls pack a healthy dose of fats and protein, and since you're making them yourself, there's no risk of artificial additives. 

2. Millet bhel

Millet Bhel is another option for a low-calorie office snack. Jowar or bajra, when mixed with cucumber, tomatoes, and lemon juice, creates a rejuvenating, hydrating snack that’s high in volume, low in calories. The homemade nature of millet snacks for the office also lets you control the ingredients and basically eliminate the need for additives. 

Nutritional Benefits of Millet Snacks for Office-Goers

Some of the nutritional benefits of millet evening snacks for professionals include the following:

1. High magnesium for stress management

One of the standout nutritional benefits of millet snacks is high magnesium, a mineral that calms blood vessels and works wonders for nerve function. The stress-relieving properties of magnesium can relieve muscle tension and soothe a frazzled mental state.

2. Rich fiber for digestive regularity 

Rich fiber content in millets gives a prebiotic boost to the digestive system, getting sluggish digestion moving and kicking out bloating, sending people back to their work with renewed energy. 

If you are looking to create a positive work space, treating your employees with healthy millet snacks on occasions like employee appreciation day is a great option. 

How Millet Snacks Help in Weight Management and Sustained Energy?

Some of the key ways millet snacks help in weight management include the following:

1. Promotes satiety and reduces cravings

Millets can aid weight management and sustained energy, and also knock out hunger pangs by triggering the release of fullness hormones and cutting down cravings. 

2. Prevents insulin spikes 

Regular insulin spikes can also be kept in check as millets are very low in glycemic index, and don’t send blood glucose levels through the roof.  

If you're looking for a healthy and efficient way to manage energy levels, working professionals can consider switching to millet-based snacks. Millet helps the body use fat for energy and prevents the storage of belly fat, often associated with sedentary office work. 

Also Read: Gluten Free Millet Snacks for Kids

Choosing the Right Millet Snacks: What to Look For on Labels

1. Identifying the primary grains:

When choosing millet-based snacks, identify the primary grain listed, as many products claim to be "millet-based" but contain 70% refined wheat flour or maida, by far. Products must contain '100% Whole Millet' to ensure fiber and mineral content, and to be considered healthy, you're looking for snacks that were baked, not fried. 

2. Scrutinize the type of fat used:

Steer clear of 'hydrogenated vegetable oils and 'palm oil, as these can send your cholesterol through the roof; instead, search for snacks made with cold-pressed oils, ghee, or those that don't contain any oil at all. 

Smart Snacking Tips for Professionals with Long Working Hours

1. Practice the rule of pairing:

You can make sure your millet snack is really filling by pairing it with a source of protein or healthy fat, such as a handful of walnuts and a boiled egg. This will slow down the release of carbohydrates, sending a stable supply of energy coursing through your body even well into the evening. 

2. Use smaller opaque containers:

Mindless eating is a major pitfall for anyone glued to their screen, well-known for snacking more than they need to. Portioning out your millet evening snacks in smaller, pre-measured containers is a very effective way to curb the tendency to overeat. 

Making Millet Snacks a Daily Habit for Better Health

Switching to millet-based snacks is one of the simplest, yet most effective things you can do to boost your health.

These grains provide a perfectly balanced combination of convenience and deep nutrition, and by choosing the right products and snacking habits, you can shield yourself from long-term health issues, all the while excelling in your career.

Looking for nutritional millet snacks to start your day? 

Check out the collection by Healthy Master!  

FAQ:

1. Which millet snacks are ideal for evening cravings at work?

When discussing evening cravings at work, millet-based snacks are the way to go. Options such as roasted millet puffs, ragi cookies, and jowar khakhra give you a delightful crunch and are easy to store in the office. 

2. Are millet snacks good for weight loss for working professionals?

Coming from a health perspective, the high fiber and protein content of millet snacks helps working professionals feel fuller, and also cuts down the number of calories they consume in a day. 

3. Can millet snacks help maintain energy levels during long work hours?

Well-known for their ability to stabilize blood sugar levels, millet snacks can send your energy levels soaring and won’t have you crashing later on. 

4. How often can you eat millet-based snacks in a day?

Considering the portion size, you can safely enjoy millet-based snacks about 1 to 2 times a day, as part of a well-rounded diet that includes all other sorts of whole foods. 

5. Are packaged millet snacks healthier than regular tea-time snacks?

Compared to regular tea-time snacks, millet-based ones are, on the whole, a healthier option, provided they don’t contain any secret sugars, all-purpose flour, or palm oil, so check the label. 

6. What ingredients should professionals avoid while choosing evening snacks?

If you want to satisfy your evening cravings at work, stay away from ingredients that aren’t doing you any favours, such as maida, refined sugar, maltodextrin, palm oil, and excessive amounts of salt.