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Prevent Midafternoon Slumps by Making These Snacks Ahead of Time

Nutella popcorn puppy chow.

Photo by Mark Weinberg

This post originally appeared on Food52.

It hits me halfway between lunch and when I leave work for the day: not hunger, not boredom, but the strange and itchy combination of the two called Needing A Snack. It’s largely mental and hugely aggravating, and I can do nothing but wander around like somnambulant zombie monster until I fix it.

Worst case scenario: I get up from my desk and slink to the office kitchen. I pour myself a glass of water. I open the refrigerator and peer in. String cheese. I shut the refrigerator and open all of the cupboards. Gum. One errant almond. I step back and try to look at everything at once. A plastic bear of honey. One half sleeve of cracker crumbs. I open the fridge again. Close it. Cupboard. Fridge. I take a sip of water. I walk in a circle. I collapse. I expire. There are snacks in heaven.

Best case scenario: I am my own personal hero, because I made a big batch of a snack over the weekend. I am the very best version of myself, and have doled out individual servings of said snack into plastic bags in my pantry. I have all of the traits of a highly effective individual, one of which is Remembering To Slide One Snack Bag Into My Work Tote Before Leaving My Apartment In The Morning. At 3:14 PM, I pull the snack bag out from under my phone charger. I eat it. It is perfect. I regain personhood. I live another day.

With a little foresight, the dream is possible! You can achieve greatness, or at least not chew so hard on the back of a pen in hungry frustration that ink explodes all over your face. For your next snacking success story — and mine when I feel like participating in self-care — a collection of my favorite noshable bits from past posts. Some sweet, some salty, some muffins.

Nutella Popcorn Puppy Chow

Photo by Mark Weinberg

Bulk Bin Snack Bars

Photo by Mark Weinberg

Cinnamon Rice Krispie Treat S’mores

Photo by James Ransom

Wasabi Pea Snack Mix

Photo by Mark Weinberg

Gluten-Free Orange Spice Poppyseed Muffins

Photo by James Ransom

More from Food52:
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You’ll Love Okonomiyaki (Even If You Can’t Pronounce Its Name)
A Baked Feta Dip for Last-Minute Guests (and Last-Minute Cravings)
12 Snacks That Are Better Covered in Chocolate
16 Snacks That Raise the Bar
A Sweet and Spicy Mix and 16 Nutso Other Snacks