Snackered: does it sound familiar?

I have recently come across an interesting study commissioned by Popchips which revealed that Britain is a nation of snackered workers.

Apparently "we are a nation of ‘snackered’ workers with the average worker reaching for the snack cupboard at least twice a day to keep them going. ‘snackered’ workers are tucking into a pick-me-up at 11.30am – and again by 3pm, a popchips study recently revealed. over three quarters of brits agree a snack helps to boost energy levels."

I guess this applies not just to the average workers but to busy stay at home parents as well. I am the one reaching for the nuts, biscuits, chocolate at mid-morning and during the 3.30-4pm slurge, when I need an energy boost or feel peckish.

"The survey of 2,000 british office workers, commissioned by snack brand popchips, found that while 72 per cent of office workers start the day full of energy, it rapidly disappears as the day progresses with many grabbing their first snack at 11.30am. by mid-afternoon respondents admitted suffer another energy slump causing them to reach for a second snack at around 2.55pm."

From my office days I remember we had our elevenses, and I was in charge of making coffee and putting the kettle on. I also had access to the departmental kitty and bought biscuits for the coffee mornings. Now those were the days. I miss the camaraderie of the academic environment and the chat.

"The popchips survey revealed that a lack of energy or need for a snack can lead to inappropriate office behaviour. Over a third said they ignore people when faced with an energy slump while twenty eight per cent of workers admitted they are likely to lash out at colleagues or even their boss. Almost half said they are likely to avoid doing work all together. Brits revealed that when tired or hungry they will natter to colleagues or procrastinate on social media and shopping sites rather than complete their work."

"Worse still, one in ten sneaky employees admitted that when previously experiencing an energy slump they have faked an illness so they can go home early."

Now that is truly naughty.

"Dr. Sandra Scott, a spokesman for Popchips, said: “When we lack energy it can be difficult to concentrate. If this happens when you are at work it can affect your performance and potentially land you in trouble with your boss!  Realistically there is not always time to leave your desk to grab a meal. At these times a well-placed snack can be exactly what you need. It can provide a quick boost to your energy levels so you can get back to focussing on your work and not on your rumbling stomach!"

"As for snacking, it’s a minefield when it comes to office etiquette. for the 72 per cent of employees who sit at their desks snacking they run the risk of committing a snacking faux pas. Fifty five per cent of Brits agreed that eating smelly food is the number one bad habit closely followed by noisy eaters (40 per cent).

Brits also admitted to being protective of their food. Seventeen per cent revealed that when offering to share their snack with colleagues they hope no one says yes. A further 20 per cent agreed they eat snacks quickly before anyone realises what they are doing. While six per cent choose to hide and snack privately in the bathroom or toilet"

Now that is quite disgusting, don't you think, to eat in the toilet?! ewww I totally agree on the smelly food issue, not nice in the close environment, and not only in the office, but on the public transport and in the cinema. Nothing worse that the stench of chips with vinegar or curry sauce when you're on the bus. I once had to get off the bus several stops earlier, as I couldn't stand the smell of food, it made me gag.

Talking of snacks, what is your favourite snack? Are you reaching for a biscuit barrel or a chocolate bar? or are you more of a savory snack person?
Last year I reviewed Popchips, and since then I have been buying Popchips regularly. Our favourite flavour is BBQ. They are very moreish and totally addictive.
There are seven great flavours, including original, barbeque, salt & vinegar, sour cream & onion, salt & pepper,thai sweet chilli and Katy’s kettle corn. You can find just the right flavour for you. Katy's kettle corn is the recent addition to the family. I bought a pack recently, but we decided we prefer the BBQ and Thai flavours the most.

Will Bowler, general manager for Popchips added, ‘’thanks to the magic of potato popping, Popchips are the perfect guilt-free healthier snack option. you won’t have to compromise on great taste with Popchips so we can’t blame snackers if they don’t want to share with colleagues!”

top tips for avoiding the snackered slump

1.    be prepared. have snacks ready for when energy slumps hit.

2.    check the small print. looks for snacks that won’t blow your daily calorie intake. at less than 100 calories a pack popchips are an ideal snackered treat!

3.    get moving. keep your snacks away from your desk so you go for a walk to pick them up. a quick break from the computer can do wonders!

4.    snack tasty. keep healthy yummy snacks accessible. if you deny yourself your favourite snacks, you’ll just need up craving for them and over-doing it. try popcorn, a small packet of nuts and raisins, popchips, olives, a handful of almonds or frozen tubes of fromage-frais.

To find more about Popchips and find all the latest news, become a Popchips Facebook fan or follow them on Twitter.

Disclosure: I received a selection of Popchips to mention them on my blog, but as I said we buy them regularly, and I also found this survey amusing.

Back to school healthier swaps with Popchips (giveaway c/d 20 September 2012)

Are you dreading the start of the school? Or perhaps you can't wait and are counting the days until the academic year starts in September? With such a rainy summer in the UK it hasn't been an easy task to keep the kids happy and entertained at home, if you haven't had a chance to travel.

Do your children take lunch boxes to school? Do you find it difficult to come with the healthy options?

With the start of the school year looming in the very near future, nutritionist Azmina Govindji put together some ideas for the lunchbox swaps.

1. Trade a regular bag of crisps for Popchips, they are literally popped with heat and pressure, so there's no fat used in frying and kids will love them (ahem, not just kids. After I reviewed Popchips a couple of months ago, I have been regularly buying them for myself, I am particularly addicted to the BBQ flavour).

2. Go for squeezy yoghurts over ice cream for a good fix of calcium and protein.

3. Leave the chocolate on the shelf and opt for jaffa cakes as a lighter sweet treat.

4. Stir up a calcium-rich milkshake and forget those sugary soft drinks! (that's better for the after school treat).

For two big glasses of milkshake you will need a glass and one third of semi-skimmed milk, a small tub of fromage frais or yogurt, a handful of blueberries, one small banana, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (Haagen Dazs is the best, but we also love the Cornish style ice cream). Put all the ingredients in the blender and whizz well. Serve at once. If you use fromage frais, the milkshake will be creamier in consistency and slightly sweeter. If you prefer to use the yogurt, the taste will have a sharp note. Experiment with different yogurts and ice cream, add strawberries or raspberries instead of blueberries.

5. Choose low fat cheese spread as a source of calcium and protein over processed meat, which can be higher in salt.

 

Popchips has kindly offered a selection of 24 single-serve bags as a prize to one of my lucky blog readers. For a chance to win the prize, please fill in the rafflecopter form.
Leaving a comment is a required step, all the other steps are optional.



a Rafflecopter giveaway Good luck!

New snacks on the block: Popchips (review)

As much as I love cakes and chocolate, I enjoy savoury snacks even more. Salted nuts and crisps will be my downfall. Alas, they are not what you would call a health food.

Is it even possible to have healthy crisps?
There are new kids on the block though, and they are called Popchips.
What are Popchips? They are a popular snack from the States. They are neither fried nor baked, but popped with the heat and pressure to achieve a crisp that retains all the flavour and has less than half the fat of fried crisps. Sounds good? You gain less calories, and they don't have any nasties in them either like fake colours or flavours.
Apparently the fans include Aston Kutcher, Heidi Klum, Sean Diddy Combs and Bruno Mars (don't ask me, I have no clue who the last two guys are).

Popchips come in five different flavours: original, salt & pepper, sea salt & vinegar, barbeque and sour cream & onion. They are available at Waitrose at £0.69 RRP for a single serve bag and £1.89 RRP for a share bag.
Each single serving bag has about 17-18 crisps with the total of less than 100 calories.

The first flavour we tried was the Original potato chips. They certainly look different. In comparison to Pringles, for example, they are much thicker, as if they are wearing a puff coat. They are light, non greasy (a bonus in my books) & crunchy.

.

As I was cooking dinner, I opened a bag of Salt & Pepper Popchips, purely for the purposes of the thorough research of the product for the review. Tried one, very peppery. Not so sure I like it. Let's try another one. One by one. And horror of horrors, I finished the whole packet. On my own.
What can I say? They are addictive.

With several flavours to choose from, you are bound to find the one that suits you. My personal favourite would be Sea Salt & Vinegar, very moreish. And guilt-free too. A good combination.

I have read that you can get hold of the so called Popclip to keep your Popchips fresh in a bag, in case you haven't finished the whole lot. Not sure about the Popclip, what I would need is a Mouthclip.
If you haven't tried them yet, go on, treat yourselves!

P.S. Popchips were sent to me for the review. All opinions are mine.