The life of a Science Technician is constantly on the go. Organising everything to ensure that practicals are safely undertaken, making sure that equipment is appropriately quarantined and cleaned, adhering to health and safety protocol, advising Teachers… and that is before any extra duties they are asked to do.
With perhaps a small area for tea breaks halfway across the school, it is oh so tempting to reach for the chocolates or tuck into a packet of crisps to get yourself an energy boost.
Hands up if this is you!
Yet with so many everyday pressures in the prep room, it is little surprise that sometimes stress can set in. We are humans, not machines after all. There are some wonderful wellbeing tips for Science Technicians you can try and one of the suggestions on the list is to eat well.
Healthy snacks for Science Technicians on the go
Eating well can ensure you keep your body and mind at the top of your game. And that includes your snacks. There’s no one better to advise on healthy snacks for Science Technicians than… Science Technicians! We asked some Technicians their favourite snacks and here are their go to suggestions:
- Popcorn
- Dry granola or cereal
- Fresh or dried fruit
- Raw vegetables and humous
- Nuts (and alternatives for nut allergy and nut free schools)
- Vegetable crisps
- Put the whole lot together in a bento box!
1. Popcorn
Popcorn is so versatile, it can be ready in the microwave in a matter of minutes, can be served sweet, salty or even spicy… and can keep your energy levels going all day.
2. Dry granola or cereal
Breakfast is the meal to set us up for the day and granola or cereal are high on the list of top breakfasts… but who says that they should be confined to breakfast? Or in fact need milk. Grab a lunch box and fill it up with your granola or cereal of choice for an all day energy boost.
3. Fresh or dried fruit
Nibble away on fruit all day to get one or more of your five a day. Try pairing up fruits with dips too for variety, for example strawberries and Greek yogurt, or apple and peanut butter.
4. Raw vegetables and humous
More ways to pack in the five a day and get a humous fix too! Pair carrots, celery or pepper sticks, instead of crisps, with humous.
You could even make your own humous. All you need is a tin of chick peas, garlic paste, olive oil some lemon juice, a teaspoon of cumin and optionally, tahini. Add the garlic, lemon juice, tahini and olive oil according to your taste, one teaspoon at a time. Then use a stick blender to get the smooth, creamy consistency of the perfect humous.
5. Nuts (and alternatives for nut allergy and nut free schools)
Nuts offer an all day energy release and there are so many varieties available that you will feel you are never out of options.
Healthy snacks for nut free schools and nut allergy
Nut allergy or nut free school? Allergy UK has some amazing free from recipes to give an all day energy release, such as these spicy roast broad beans. They can also be made with butter beans or chick peas. All of the recipes on the Allergy UK site are free from the 14 EU allergens too.
6. Vegetable crisps
If you are still craving the crunch of crisps, you can make your own vegetable crisps using your favourite vegetables. You could use carrots, parsnips, beetroot or whatever takes your fancy. Use a grater to create long slices the length of the vegetable (trust us they shrink when baking!) Carrots and beetroots usually take 2 hours in the oven, parsnips about 1.5 hours.
We made these at home and found that sprinkling mixed herbs rather than salt on the freshly baked crisps tasted amazing!
7. Put the whole lot together in a bento box!
Bento boxes originate from Japan, which also happens to have one of the healthiest diets in the World. These boxes have small compartments for different kinds of food to be stored and can be bought in most supermarkets, home stores or online. Choose as many snack types as you have compartments and pack them all together in your box for a whole day of healthy grazing.
