Buzz
We all have that favorite snack or quick meal we reach for during office hours. But before you grab something for your next snack break, take a moment to consider your choice. A good snack should fuel you until your next meal while being delicious. However, you don’t want to annoy your colleagues or end up cleaning salsa off your keyboard.
The office is a shared space with your coworkers, so it’s only polite to consider their comfort when selecting a snack. If you're new to the office, check if there’s an unofficial “Snacks Etiquette” you should follow.
If a colleague frequently indulges in snacks that bother you, consider suggesting the creation of a “Snacks Code” at work. The little things can drive us crazy—(and nuts are one of those things!). Here are ten snacks that are a no-go for the office.
10. Goodbye to Odorous Sandwiches
Boiled eggs are great for breakfast, but they're not ideal for the office. While a boiled egg and tuna sandwich might seem like a quick and easy snack, your coworkers are unlikely to appreciate the strong smell. Tuna on its own has a powerful odor, and when combined with boiled egg, it creates a scent that will likely keep people far away from your desk—unless that's your intention.
The unpleasant smell that comes from your boiled egg happens because the iron in the yolk reacts with sulfur in the white, producing that distinct bad egg odor. This typically only happens if the egg is overcooked and the yolk turns yellow. A perfectly cooked boiled egg will have a deep orange yolk and won’t give off a strong smell.
There’s an ongoing debate online about which part of a boiled egg and tuna sandwich smells worse. Personally, I’d say the boiled egg takes the crown, but tuna definitely has its advocates. Maybe it's best to simply skip the tuna sandwiches altogether.
9. Steer Clear of the “Popcorn” Button
Oh, Orville Redenbacher. You’ve caused enough trouble in offices everywhere. While this hot, crunchy, buttery snack is perfect for a movie, it's not suited for the workplace! No matter how careful you are, popcorn finds its way everywhere. You’ll end up with grease stains on your keyboard, kernels in your shirt, and popcorn bits stuck between your teeth.
But wait... there's more!
Microwaves might seem straightforward, but somehow, people still mess them up. Have you ever used a microwave where the popcorn setting was actually correct? When you leave that 'Butter Lovers' bag in a little too long, that extra minute can leave your office smelling like burnt popcorn for years to come.
8. Don’t Be Shellfish
You must exercise caution with shellfish. They tend to accumulate heavy metals, which get passed to you when consumed. A lot of people are allergic, so if your salad contains shellfish, make sure to let your colleagues know before you share it.
Another issue is reheating. If you heat shellfish (or any fish) in the office microwave, the oils break down and release an overpowering fishy odor. The next person who uses the microwave won’t appreciate it, as their hot pocket will end up tasting faintly of fish.
7. Curry is NSFW
Alright, curry is absolutely delicious. I’ll admit it – the flavors are divine. But let’s be honest, a giant serving of curry doesn’t belong in your lunchbox. Curries often have a strong scent that not everyone enjoys. And that curry smell? It tends to linger far longer than you'd like.
The reason curry has such a powerful aroma is because it’s packed with aromatic spices and herbs like cardamom, ginger, cumin, coriander, cloves, and turmeric. While these ingredients are loaded with health benefits, bringing curry to your next ‘Lunch and Learn’ might not be the best move. If you’re really craving Indian or Thai food at work, why not organize a group order with some colleagues? After all, ‘Working together is success.’
6. Peanuts? You Must Be Nuts!
On a recent flight from Antigua to London, a 14-year-old girl had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) when another passenger opened a bag of peanuts. The girl never ate a peanut, never even touched one, but just the proximity caused her to pass out.
Luckily, a nurse was nearby to provide oxygen and administer two doses of EpiPen to the girl. Her mother had requested that the staff inform passengers to avoid eating the free peanuts, yet one passenger ignored the request.
Peanuts offer a variety of health benefits. They lower the chances of heart disease, are rich in proteins, and improve focus. It seems like the perfect snack, but certainly not if it could lead to a colleague experiencing anaphylaxis.
5. Don’t Bring Any Krispy Kreme
“There are donuts in the breakroom!”
It’s a message we both adore and dread. Donuts are simply irresistible, and there’s a scientific reason behind it: our bodies crave high-calorie, high-fat foods because they provide an energy surge. Eating a donut triggers a dopamine release in the brain, urging us to have just one more (perhaps with extra sprinkles this time).
Donuts are essentially just deep-fried cake dough with no real nutritional value. If you peek inside an empty donut box, you'll notice the oil coating the bottom, which mirrors what's left in your stomach after consumption. Yet, people continue to bring donuts to the office, despite everyone trying to stay healthy in some way. Good luck eating just one—prove to Jill from accounting that you have incredible willpower.
In reality, donuts should be saved for special occasions and not be a constant presence in the office.
4. Avoid Packing Anything with Garlic
Garlic has a number of beneficial properties. Some of its advantages include:
- Lowering harmful cholesterol levels
- Providing protection against certain cancers
- Serving as a natural antibiotic
- Helping prevent Alzheimer's and dementia
- Boosting your immune system
- Reducing high blood pressure levels
Regrettably, it also has a strong odor that clings to your breath for hours. You may not realize it, but your coworkers might start avoiding you after you indulge in a garlic-heavy snack.
There are a few things you can try to fight off garlic breath. Drinking milk post-snack, munching on parsley, or brushing your teeth thoroughly could help.
3. The Never-Ending Bag of Chips
Let’s face it—half the chips will vanish the second you crack open the bag. Your coworkers will sneak a few, and before you know it, the bag is empty. And you’ll end up with Dorito stains all over that important contract.
And let’s not even talk about the noisy crunching coming from the next cubicle!
But really, you’re not missing out on much. Chips are packed with unhealthy ingredients, full of fat, calories, and salt. While they’re satisfying and easy to grab, they offer no real benefit. You might as well snack on a pencil, which, surprisingly, could be a healthier option than potato chips.
Additionally, brown chips may contain acrylamide, a substance that could potentially increase your risk of cancer. Acrylamide forms naturally when food is cooked at high temperatures. While manufacturers are working to reduce its levels by adjusting cooking methods, the risk still exists.
If you enjoy snacking while you work, consider healthier alternatives like dried fruit, kale chips, or a mix of trail mix.
2. No Kimchi for Me
Bringing kimchi to the office might show a lack of empathy toward your coworkers. While kimchi has many health benefits, it also comes with an overpowering smell that will invade your workspace and linger for hours. Given that its main ingredient is fermented cabbage, this pungency should come as no surprise.
Believe it or not, some Korean researchers are working on reducing the pungency of kimchi to make it more palatable for Westerners, but traditionalists argue that the smell is a crucial part of the kimchi experience. While this might be true, bringing it to the office is still not the best idea.
At the moment, not many people are likely to bring kimchi to work. However, its popularity is growing, and it’s only a matter of time. It might be wise to establish a no-kimchi policy ahead of time.
1. Beware the Big Gulp
Soda—our love-hate relationship with it. While soda can be a sugary drink that gives you a caffeine boost, this tempting beverage can be dangerous when consumed in large amounts. And many of us tend to indulge in it excessively. Drinking soda while working can lead to an increase in sugar, caffeine, chemicals, and even artificial colors.
Instead, try refreshing yourself with cold water and a slice of lemon. Not only will this save you money—since those daily sodas (or three or four) add up—but it will keep your desk free of sticky spills and help you stay more alert without the caffeine crash dulling your focus.
