We Found A Healthy Swap for EVERY 3 p.m. Craving. You’re Welcome

Somewhere between lunch and finishing up the workday, we inevitably end up in snacking territory. We need fuel to keep our brains and bodies working to the best of their ability, but we often find ourselves with specific cravings and tend to reach for the most convenient thing to fill them. Our bodies are super smart in the way they pull us in one craving direction or another, often as a way of getting something we're lacking in the moment. If you're craving chocolate, for example, magnesium is often what you need. So it's important to listen to cravings and pivot just a little in the direction of something satisfying and healthy.

Whether it's pretzels, chips, or something salty-sweet with a loud crunch you're after, we know that getting a crunchy fix can get out of hand quickly.

The sugary sweet buzz from a baked good can be our siren song in the afternoons but often leaves us with a crash that feels worse than when we started.

Swap: Bliss bites or Medjool dates filled with nut butter and a sprinkle of sea salt. Bliss balls are slightly more involved and make-ahead but can include dates, nut butter, nuts, seeds, cacao powder, dried fruit, and other superfood powders. Simply whizz together in a blender or food processor until you get a well-mixed dough. Then roll into balls and store in the fridge. (Check out mbg food-director-approved recipes like this glow-boosting one and this blood-sugar-balancing one).

Post-lunch energy dips got you running to the nearest barista? While switching to decaf in the afternoon is usually a good idea for better sleep, try something that will leave you feeling more energized.

Swap: Kombucha, if iced coffee is calling your name. The sparkling, fermented tea usually does contain some caffeine, although less than coffee—so keep an eye out if you're sensitive.

So, you want something salty with big flavor? Forget addictive artificial flavorings and vending machine fare; we've got you.

Maybe the most notorious of cravings, chocolate can actually be a great snack when eaten mindfully. Fully enjoying a square or two of good-quality dark chocolate can be both satisfying and a little meditative. But there are other ways of enjoying this flavor, too.

If you find yourself wanting candy by the handful, we've got a couple of suggestions.

Swap: Fresh fruit or crystallized ginger. For candy cravings, we suggest berries or citrus (like little mandarins!) to get that sweet-sour hit and the joy of eating a big handful of something colorful. Crystallized ginger can be a great alternative too, if you want that chewy texture. Because the flavor of ginger is stronger and spicier than most candy, one or two pieces usually do the trick to beat the craving.