GLP-1, Protein, and the Workplace Snack Revolution

There is a transformation happening in the world of workplace snacking. This shift is a result of changes to how people approach hunger, energy, and health in general. Widespread use of GLP-1 medications is playing a role, as is a renewed focus on snacks that are rich in protein. 

To provide your employees with the types of snacks that they want to consume, it’s important to understand these trends. Providing healthy workplace snacks in a vending machine or micro market is easy when you know exactly what your people are likely to eat. 

Education is a starting point on this topic, but it’s also helpful to pick the right partner to implement an effective snacking program in the office. For that, simply call InReach. We are experts in this space and will make it easy to create and maintain convenient food services that your people will love. 

The GLP-1 Effect

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were initially developed to treat diabetes. This category of drugs, which includes brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy, has been in use for many years for their original purpose. 

Recently, GLP-1 medications have gained widespread popularity as a weight management tool. They are now being used to help aid weight loss even in people who don’t have diabetes. The drugs work to suppress appetite and slow digestion, helping users to feel full and consume fewer calories throughout the course of the day. 

The use of these medications often causes individuals to shift their eating habits, including snacking. So, you might notice a change in what people eat around the office and what they purchase in your vending machines. Snacks high in carbs and sugar may be passed over in favor of options loaded with protein. If you have observed the chips and candy in your machines staying in stock longer than ever, this is likely part of the reason why. 

Snacking With Intention

It is common for people in busy offices to snack randomly, quickly grabbing whatever they can find between meetings or phone calls. This leads to eating foods that might not be particularly healthy or energizing. In the age of GLP-1 use and a new focus on health and wellness, this pattern has been replaced for many people with what we might call “intentional snacking.”

Intentional snacking has a goal in mind beyond just consuming some quick calories. The goal might be weight loss or to fuel up for a big workout later in the day. Some people will snack carefully simply to keep their brains sharp and ready to perform at a high level. Whatever the case may be for each individual, the snacks they choose will be targeted toward the desired outcome. 

So, what are healthy GLP-1 snacks? Many options exist:

• Greek yogurt
• Protein bars with clean ingredients
• Trail mixes including nuts, seeds, and dried fruit
• Hard-boiled eggs or cottage cheese
• Hummus with veggies

This type of healthy snacking is not limited to those using GLP-1 medications, of course. Anyone looking to eat a balanced diet that meets their nutritional needs without overdoing the calorie count could benefit from having some of these options available. 

Why Protein Has Become an Office Staple

The trend toward high-protein diets has been hard to miss in recent years. More people than ever before want to load up on protein, both at work and at home. According to a market report from Kellanova, 41% of adults claim to want more protein in their diets. So, what’s the deal? Why is protein suddenly such a go-to nutrient for people aiming to improve or maintain their health?

It starts with digestion. Protein is digested slowly and keeps people feeling full for longer than alternatives like carbs and fats. At the same time, protein does a great job of improving muscle repair, helping people focus, and keeping their energy levels stable throughout the day. 

When you add up all of those attributes, it’s easy to see why high-protein snacks would be a winner in the office. Mental focus and stable energy levels alone are extremely valuable on the job. And, when you add in the ability to maintain a feeling of fullness, which can cut down on overall calorie consumption in a day, you have a winning formula.

Presenting Inclusive Snack Options

It’s tempting to assume that everyone in your office falls into the same category. High-protein snacks and GLP-1 medications are trendy right now, so everyone is in that camp, right? Of course not. Your office is full of individuals, and no trend, no matter how popular, applies to everyone. 

The goal of your snacking program should be to include as many people as possible. That means covering your bases and having a nice selection of products from many categories. You’ll certainly want some high-protein choices with clean ingredients. But there is also space for some more indulgent items. It’s all about giving people options. Present them with a wide array of possibilities, and they can choose for themselves what is best each time they need a snack. 

Also, don’t forget to consider things like food allergies and intolerances. It’s a good idea to have items that are gluten-free and lactose-free, for example. Stocking some choices for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet is also important. 

The Right Snacks Make a Big Impact

It’s worth understanding these trends and making an effort to improve your on-site food options because snacking plays a major role in the daily operation of an office. The right snacks can promote elevated performance and satisfaction, while a lack of good snack choices can do just the opposite. 

First, making quality snacks available will signal to employees that you care about their satisfaction. Everyone wants to feel valued at work, and this is one small way to highlight just how much you want them to enjoy their experience with your company. Along those same lines, things like tasty snacks and plenty of available beverages could help you retain employees over the long run and even recruit new ones. 

You could also see a boost in performance when you make healthy, high-protein snacks easy to acquire. Have you ever noticed that the output of your team seems to trail off late in the day? Food may be partially to blame. Eating high-carb, high-sugar snacks can lead to an afternoon crash that is hard to shake. When those snacks are upgraded, employee performance tends to be upgraded, as well.

On the search for something healthy? Here’s how InReach defines Wellness.

Wellness Is InReach

Lower in calories, reduced saturated fats, and trans fat free. These are the nutrient criteria you can expect in your Wellness InReach choice. 

Identified products meet all criteria below:

• Calories < 200
• Total Fat < 35% of calories from fat, or < 8g
• Sat Fat < 10% of total calories from saturated fat
• Trans Fat Free: (<0.05g)
• Cholesterol < 20 mg
• Sodium < 300 mg
• Fiber < 1g

Or, meet 4 of the criteria above and have at least 10% of the daily value of one or more major nutrients, such as vitamin A, C, E, Iron, Calcium, or Protein.

Fueling the Future of Your Business

In the age of GLP-1 medications, snacks for workplace breakrooms have been transformed. What used to work when stocking your vending machines or a micro market might not be effective anymore, but don’t worry. With InReach as your trusted partner, you can stay on top of what’s popular and put those items in front of your people daily. 

Proudly part of Sodexo, InReach offers global reach, customized attention, and a large, growing buying network that keeps food costs low and quality high. Contact us today to learn more.