Why UK offices can't stop snacking: A delve into workplace favourites

We all have a favourite snack, which could be sweet or savoury, and it can be something that is very hard to resist.

In the UK we are proving to be a nation of snackers, and as we spend more and more of our time working, it stands to reason that the number of snacks in the workplace is also growing. So, is this a good thing?

In this article, Workplace Refreshments take a look at the pros and the cons of snacking at work, as well as seeing which snacks have turned out to be the UK’s workplace favourites.

The reasons for snacking

We all turn to snacks for a variety of reasons, but hunger is often not one of them. When we are hungry, we will often take a proper lunch break, so why is it that we are craving a little bit of something by 11am, or needing a hit of salt or sugar to make it through the afternoon?

One reason could be that our energy levels are depleting. Even if you have eaten breakfast or lunch, you might have exhausted the energy that it gave you. If what you are eating is high in sugar, then the energy that is released will come in a short burst and you will then start to experience a crash a little while later.

That means we start to reach for a snack in order to get us through the next hour or see us through until it is time to go home.

Another reason that we might feel the urge to snack is through boredom, stress or anxiety. A dull meeting or a boring project can lead to our minds wandering and wanting something else to do with our hands or our mouths. Difficult situations have also made many of us turn to the fridge or the cupboard for some form of distraction or comfort. That is often when we can find ourselves reaching for a biscuit or even taking a walk to a kitchen or vending machine in order to break the monotony of the day.

The pros and cons of snacking

One of the big things that we all love about snacking is the buzz that it gives us. A little taste of our favourite treat can always lift the mood, making us more prepared to get us through the task in hand. It can also give us a blast of energy to make it easier to finish writing that presentation or adding up a spreadsheet. When we are hungry or energy levels are depleted, we can find it hard to concentrate and our work can suffer, so a snack is sometimes a useful tool to give our brains a boost as well as our bodies.

Of course, we all know that the biggest downside to snacking is the impact that it can have on our health. Munching our way through crisps, biscuits and chocolate every day can cause us to put on weight, and can have an effect on heart conditions, cholesterol levels, diabetes and other serious medical concerns, particularly as many of us are sedentary whilst we are at work.

In addition to this, snacking can sometimes be a false economy. We think that we are in need of energy, but if we eat the wrong thing, the initial lift is soon counteracted by the massive crash that follows. That is why choosing the right snack can be important, as healthier choices such as fruit or nuts can not only be better for our health but can also release energy at a much slower and more consistent rate, meaning that we can keep going for longer.

Our favourite snacks

It should come as no surprise that one of the favourite office snacks is the biscuit. Easy to eat whilst on the go, easy to share and a wide variety of choices means that tend to be found luring on the desks of most UK employees. Everyone has their own personal favourite, but the chocolate digestive is one biscuit which always scores highly, as do custard creams, Jaffa Cakes and HobNobs.

For those who prefer something savoury, crisps have come out on top. It is actually the humble Hula Hoop which has proved to be a favourite, whilst Doritos and Monster Munch have trumped more traditional cheese and onion or salt and vinegar offerings. This has proved popular with employers who want to provide snacks at work, as it is easy and inexpensive to bulk buy crisps and have them ready for people to enjoy.

Most of us cannot do without some chocolate, and the KitKat is top of the pile when it comes to workplace chocolate bars, with Cadbury’s Dairy Milk not far behind. Bounty, Snickers and Mars bars have all been categorised as some of the least popular snacks, proving they will be left sitting in the vending machine as well as the bottom of the Celebrations tin.

No office would be complete without some form of cake, and the donut seems to be the favourite. This is probably because the number of toppings and fillings make it incredibly versatile, and as it has less crumbs than other cakes, it can be a little easier to eat at your desk.

Other favourites have also included cereal bars and yoghurts, whilst many people have tended to avoid the school playground favourites of NikNaks, Wotsits, Quavers and Space Raiders.

Thankfully, fruit has also been listed as one of the top snacks at work, with many people finding it easy to have an apple, banana or a pot of berries by their side to keep them going, whilst nuts seem to be one snack which have been shunned by UK workers.

So, if that hasn’t made you hungry, then we don’t know what will, but remember, if you are turning to a snack right now, stop and think what it is and why you really feel that you need it. The answers might be more interesting than you think!