10 Healthy Office Treats: Boost Your Team’s Morale, Not Their Blood Sugar

Whether it’s a quick pick-me-up or a celebratory 'thank you', sharing treats is a simple way to build morale and foster a sense of camaraderie in the office. But have you ever stopped to consider this—are your office treats actually treating your team, or are they contributing to that familiar afternoon slump?

Healthy Treats For Your Team

Here we share our top 10 healthy and exciting office treats to boost your staff's wellbeing, not diminish it.

Be that manager who has their team’s wellbeing at heart and consider offering office snacks that are a bit more of a treat for everyone’s bodies too. There certainly is a place for communal office cake but if it’s becoming the norm, you are not giving yourselves the best chance of creating a high-energy, vital team.

Swapping your standard box of Krispy Kremes to one of the below suggestions will offer nourishment for colleagues' metabolism, immunity and brain health and move them along the health continuum instead of driving inflammation and blood sugar dysregulation.

If you’re ready to take your office snacks to the next level and offer healthier options that fuel your team without the inevitable sugar crash, here are some healthy alternatives that’ll keep your team energised and focused.

10 Exciting Healthy Office Treats To Share

1.     Sushi Rolls

There is something about the sight of a mixed sushi platter that is both beautiful and enticing. Get in touch with your nearest Japanese or sushi restaurant and ask them to put together their most colourful & varied sharing platter.

Choose veggie rolls or simple avocado and cucumber options for vegans and don’t skimp on the classic sushi nigri, high in brain-loving omega-3 fats, for fish fans. Also make sure you get plenty of seaweed in there as not only is it a top source of iodine, needed for energy metabolism but you’re beneficial gut bacteria go mad for it!

A rainbow of sushi can replace your usual beige sandwich platter for lunch meetings or simply be left in the office fridge for people to pick at during the day for a protein-rich delectable snack!

2.     Charcuterie Cups

For an eye-catching savoury and satisfying office treat, why not put together some charcuterie cups packed full of everyone’s favourite Mediterranean-inspired food. Fill some bamboo cups or cones with various anti-pasti foods such as olives, prosciutto, chorizo, feta or Manchego cheese. Add some colour and plant goodness with some pickled gherkins, sun-dried tomatoes, apples or grapes.

This is a great way to add some excitement around more savoury foods which are high in protein, fat and fibre, the perfect trio to set your team up for an afternoon of steady blood glucose and ensuing energy and focus.

3. Black Bean Brownies

For those with a sweet tooth, black bean brownies are a game-changer. They’re rich, fudgy, and packed with fibre and protein. By swapping flour for black beans, these brownies provide a healthier alternative to traditional office bakes as they replace the refined carbs with unprocessed high fibre beans. They also tick the box for colleagues craving a sweet treat (you don’t have to tell them what’s in it!).

There are many recipes online for black bean brownies but this is one of my favourites as its relatively low in sugar and uses largely natural ingredients. You can find the recipe here. If you have any nut allergy sufferers in your office, its best to find a nut-free version or just make sure it’s very clearly labelled. 

4. Truffle Brie

If you want to offer something a little more luxurious, try truffle brie. If you haven’t tried it before you have been missing out! Its lavishly creamy texture teamed with the rich umami truffle creates a taste-sensation in your mouth.

You could simply leave it on a board with a sourdough loaf for colleagues to help themselves to or spread some slices on some olive oil sourdough crackers for a delightful touch of elegance you don’t normally expect from office snacks!

Some supermarkets have now started selling it but if you have a proper fromagerie anywhere near you, its worth going the extra mile as the real-deal is definitely worth paying more for. You’ll be wishing there were leftovers to take home (unlikely!)

5. Fermented Drinks Bar

Setting up a drinks bar with a selection of kefir and kombucha is a fun way to bring something different into the office and support your team’s gut health (a winner for nearly all health-goals!).

You can either get creative and have a go at making them yourself or you can now find lots of different varieties in larger supermarkets or specialist shops online. Why not give goat-milk kefir a go or strawberries & cream kombucha by Hip Pop who sell a fun range of flavours of ‘live’ drinks, all 100% natural.

Alternatively, it could also be a fun idea to get everyone involved and make it into a bit of team challenge to see who can create the tastiest fermented drink  -what could go wrong?!

Discover more ways to support your team's gut health and immunity with our 'Make your immune system smile' webinar.

6. Dark Chocolate Brazil Nuts

Not up for baking or fermenting? For a simple tasty but somewhat indulgent healthy snack, opt for dark chocolate coated Brazil nuts. These can just be easily picked up alongside your food shop and is something a bit different from your standard biscuits for people to nibble on.

Brazil nuts are a great source of selenium (which many people don’t get enough of) which is needed to help regulate metabolism, boost white blood cells and has even been linked with healthy brain function. Looking to up-level your team? simply supply them with some Brazil nuts!

With the addition of dark chocolate, you are not only getting that indulgent hit but also an abundance of polyphenols which can help reduce inflammation and DNA damage.

This treat will satisfy cravings while providing lasting energy throughout the day.

7. Rainbow Veggie Platter

Vegetables aren’t the first thing that spring to mind when looking for an exciting office treat but when you create the most vibrant, colourful spread with them, even hardcore carnivores may be tempted to partake. I’m talking radishes, all the bell peppers, purple carrots & chicory for a full spectrum of colours and nutrients.

Add some tasty protein-rich dips such as caramelised onion hummus or feta & siracha to create some tasty combos and encourage people to have a try.

8. Pick ‘n’ Mix Nourish Bar

Why not create a DIY "Pick 'n’ Mix" station with a selection of nuts, fruits and seeds for everyone to make their own trail mix to snack on throughout the day. This snack allows employees to create their own custom mix while providing a balanced combination of protein, fibre and natural fats to sustain energy throughout the work day.

This can also work well as a breakfast option as a thank you for staff coming in early, especially if you add things such as kefir, Greek yoghurt and natural low-sugar granola.

Alternatively you could treat your teams to savoury hot breakfast pots, I’m talking  BBQ beans, scrambled eggs, guacamole, mushrooms and tomatoes. Check out Leon’s breakfast pots if you need some inspiration!

9. Coconut & Chocolate Energy Balls

Made right, energy balls can do just that– give you an energy boost that doesn’t come with the crash.

They are relatively simple to make and don’t involve any baking but finding a good recipe for these is key. Many energy balls are actually loaded with sugar in all its ‘natural’ guises includes honey, agave, date syrup and maple syrup. Having the ratio of sugar: protein/fat/fibre too high is going to create a tasty treat that could leave your team struggling to focus an hour or 2 after indulging.

I really like this recipe for coconut and chocolate energy balls as it is pretty simple and the only sugar in these are from the dates (which aren’t in abundance) so its wrapped up in a whole load of fibre, slowing the sugars’ absorption. I like to add a few chia seeds and flax to mine too for added omega-3 goodness!

The nuts and coconut add further fibre along with the coconut oil which provides a nice dollop of natural nourishing fats – creating a tasty slow energy release treat your colleagues will thank you for!

10. Dark Chocolate Batons

There is something about chocolate that lifts people’s spirits and there is no coincidence cacao has been linked with various ceremonies and celebrations. If you would like to treat your office to some chocolate thrills, why not opt for 80%+ dark chocolate which can have up to four times less sugar than its milk chocolate counterparts.

There is the misconception that dark chocolate can be very bitter and not very smooth but if you find the right one, even 90% cocoa solids can be immensely smooth, rich and full of chocolates satisfying complex flavours. My go-to chocolate currently is Sainsbury's Ugandan 90% Dark Chocolate – it really satisfies my chocolate cravings and 2 decent sized squares only has 2g of sugar (~half a teaspoon).

If you want something a bit fancier, Hotel Chocolat do some lovely 85% chocolate batons which make a lovely treat to share with your team. One reviewer described them as  “surprisingly creamy, so delicious and so satisfying!”  Gifting these to your colleagues means that not only will you be giving them a little luxury but also a hit of powerful antioxidants and increased blood flow to the brain! 

Hopefully this has given you a bit of inspiration and reassurance that you can provide exciting, tasty and indulgent treats for your office that are actually going to support their health and well-being.

Perhaps its time to re-think your standard office ‘treats’ altogether and move away from everyone’s obsession with incessant snacking which prevents your energy-intensive digestive system from getting a much-needed break.

Non-Food Office Treats

Consider offering some non-snack alternatives that can boost your team’s spirits and contribute to their wellbeing:

• Desk Plants: A small plant can brighten up any workspace and improve air quality. Consider gifting your employees desk plants that they can nurture and enjoy during their workday. Opt for aloe vera, snake plants or Peace lilies for air purifiers that are relatively easy to maintain.

  
  

• Masseuse: If you really want to pamper your team, why not bring in a masseuse for a lunchtime relaxation session? It’s a great way to relieve stress, align our bodies and help your team recharge for the afternoon.

  
  

• Leave an Hour Early!: Occasionally, the best gift you can offer is extra time. Letting your team leave an hour early or finish their workday a bit early shows trust and appreciation, and it helps them balance work and personal life.

By offering healthier snacks and thoughtful alternatives, you’ll be helping your team stay energised, focused, and more productive throughout the day. Healthy office treats are a great way to show your employees that you care about their health and happiness, which can lead to increased motivation and a more vibrant workplace culture.

What healthy treats do you offer your team? Let us know in the comments, or share your favourite snack ideas!

Hungry for more? Download our free nutrition and wellness toolkit for more inspiration to support your team to feel more alive at work.