I don’t know about you, but I love to snack. I am a person who gets a lot of enjoyment out of picking out what food I’m going to eat throughout the day, and snacking is a big part of that!
However, I have run into a particular problem when it comes to snacking. When I’m reading an engaging story, I don’t want to stop reading. But what if I’m feeling peckish? I’ve found reading brings a specific challenge to my snacking. For example, I tend to need one handed snacks so I can prop the book open and still turn the pages. I certainly can’t eat anything messy or crumbly and risk messing up the book.
These are just a couple of the challenges caused by eating while reading. This is why I pick snacks that are smaller, easy to manage, and don’t have crumbs. My go-to snacks when it comes to reading are lightly salted almonds, gluten-free crackers, or dried fruit. I always keep a napkin handy and make sure to keep all food away from the book as much as possible.
Now is a good time for a quick PSA: eating while reading is tricky but eating while reading library books is even trickier. Please take care to keep food away from library books so everyone can have a wonderful reading experience. Because snacking while reading brings such a unique challenge to the snacking life, I thought it would be fun to ask my fellow coworkers what they like to eat while reading. Through many laughs and even some confessions, I just had to share.
The library isn’t sponsored by any of these snacks. These are just snacks we really enjoy!
Staff Favorite Snacks
Sheri: Carrots, celery, water. Only non-crumby, non-messy items for me. I almost never eat during a library book reading session (before and after).
Michelle: I can juggle a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and a book. I don't know how I do it, but I do. A lot of times if I have a snack in my hands, I put the book on the edge of the sofa and then use my phone to hold down the pages and then just shift my phone around😬🤣 I'm really living on the edge. Snacks and books are the best!
Suzanne: I don't eat while I read because I love curling up on the couch and don't want anything in my lap except for my tablet with an eBook (or an actual book). I do like to drink hot coffee or tea while reading to make it a cozy experience — even in the summer!
Charlie: I like eating popcorn when I read 🙂
Libby: I do not really snack when I read, because I mostly read before bed. Occasionally, I do love to go to a cafe and read while drinking a big coffee.
John: Chex Mix!
Lauren: I usually drink tea. In fall or winter, it'll be hot tea (usually chamomile, peppermint, or caffeine-free black). During spring and summer, it'll be bubble tea (usually passion fruit green tea with lychee pops and strawberry jelly or Thai milk tea with boba).
Jen: If I'm reading at night and trying not to eat too much before bed, I will have a handful of peanuts and a few prunes. (I know—prunes have a bad rap—but they hit the spot for me if I want something a little sweet!) 🙂 It's my go-to.
Marissa: I usually snack on something crunchy like Cheez-Its or plantain chips. If I'm reading at night, I sometimes make herbal tea.
Meghan: Oh yes! I am a snacker. I love ants-on-a-log (celery, peanut butter, and raisins), sliced apples with pepper jack cheese, chocolate covered almonds, and carrots dipped in hummus.
For snackish inspiration, check out these books:
Snacks for Dinner, opens a new window
Superfood Snacks, opens a new window
Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes, opens a new window
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