It is no secret that when you work in an office tantalizing food and snacks just seem to be everywhere. Between lunch meetings, happy hour with coworkers, the candy jar and the home baked goodies that are brought in daily, it is so easy to throw your healthy plans for the day out quickly. You haven’t had goodies from that bakery before so you have to try them, just one piece of candy won’t hurt and no they won’t but when you’re snacking on these things daily and you’re taking them over other nutritious options, that may become a problem. How do you maintain a balance of staying fit and healthy but also allowing yourself to indulge guilt free? After struggling with this myself I’ve figured out the best ways to avoid snacking while at work.
When I had my first job, we had a small office of about 11 people so snacking wasn’t a problem at all. Hardly anyone brought anything so when there was food in the office it was maybe every other week if that. We did have food left over from catering events often but that wasn’t the kind of food that you would snack on necessarily. At my new job though, there are treats coming in not only daily but multiple times a day! We have coworkers bringing baked goods in, after a staff helps a team that team will get cookies for staff, if there’s a lunch and learn (lunch meeting to learn about something related to our job) there’s either goodies or pizza, we even have businesses that stop by and bring us doughnuts. The snacks will always be there, it’s inevitable in my office. What I can control though is if I snack, how often and what I choose to snack on and when I do want to indulge. It was not easy by any means and I was absolutely grabbing for the peach bread and I absolutely brought in homemade organic apple cider doughnuts (one batch was even gluten free).
Drink water
No joke, this is the best thing you could possibly do for your body. I know, I know, we always hear it but it’s key! My biggest issue with drinking water was actually because I didn’t have a water bottle that I liked. Apparently, I’m just super lazy but anything with an actual lid kept me from drinking water. So silly I know, but since I switched to a venti reusable Starbucks cup (the one with the straw) I’ve been doing such a better with drinking water. While I’m reading emails I just sit there drinking as I go. If you’re dehydrated that is a quick way for your body to think you’re hungry. So stay hydrated!
Bring snacks with you
If you are hungry or you really do just need a snack, if you have healthy snacks with you, it’s so much easier to say no to cookies, brownies, and candy. I have a small box in my desk drawer that has packets of oatmeal, granola bars, almonds and a few other power snacks. I also always bring one veggie with me like a bag of carrots or celery and one fruit, usually a banana, strawberries, or grapes. So when you do snack, you won’t feel guilty, you’ll feel energized and focused to rock the rest of your day. Having something nutritious is what your body really needs!
Meal prep on Sundays
The worst weeks for snacking while at work are the weeks that I don’t prepare meals ahead of time. Sit down on Sunday or whichever day you go grocery shopping and write out every meal for the week and every snack for the week. You’re making a commitment to yourself and it’ll help you stick to it. Usually, on Sundays my husband and I prep as much as we can like pre-cutting fruit and veggies, making it that much easier and quicker to make better choices.
Have gum and mints on hand
If you feel like you need to snack have some gum or mints, having a “fresh” minty mouth will keep you from grabbing that bag of chips. Personally, after having something minty, I don’t particularly want to eat, not just because I feel like I have a cleaner mouth but because the minty flavor will change the taste of whatever I want to snack on.
Don’t skip meals
Breakfast or lunch! Having full nutritious meals will help keep you full and energized. It’s easy to skip breakfast and lunch and it’s easy to work while you eat but doing these things may make you think you’re hungry. Turn your breakfast and lunch into a break, something you can truly enjoy. When I sit down and “concentrate” on relaxing while I have lunch not only do I feel so much more motivated when heading back to work but I’m also paying attention to my body and what it needs. Intuitive eating is so important!
Don’t deprive yourself
Finally, don’t deprive yourself. If the office is throwing an ice cream social, go and have fun. You can still have fun and share in the festivities
What tricks do you use to keep yourself from mindless snacking while at work?
Oh Darling be good to your body.
