A: A lot.
[UPDATED to add: I'm just going to go ahead and admit that I got up in the middle of writing this post to stuff my face with two big gummy things from a coworker's desk.]
By Kate Levinson
I’m slightly obsessed with food. Not like I always have to have it in my mouth, or that I eat five pizzas when I’m stressed. Not that I eat a ton of food or bad-for-me-food or even ultra-good-for-me food (I try). But any friend or family member can tell you that I’m not happy unless I know what I get to eat next and when I get to eat it.
So starting a new job with a new schedule and a new office culture obviously messes with my Food Plan. And here are the problems:
The candy jar knows my name – and is calling it. One could consider me lucky for sitting in direct sight of a desk with two fully stocked candy jars (and usually a package of some kind of treat). But really, it’s torture. Especially at about 3:00 every afternoon.
My lunchbox is working overtime (but I’m not). In an attempt to live on an intern salary and relatively healthily, I’m a big lunch-packer. But I’m an even bigger people-person, so I’ve definitely been known to bring a lunch then save it for a day or two when better lunch plans come up. Who can turn down heading out with a group of interns or a good chat with a supervisor – especially for a Lean Cuisine?
Sharing with coworkers is good. Sharing with oneself is better. It’s a fact of work life: Office dwellers love treats, and whatever anyone brings in and puts in the break room will disappear. And the bringer of the treats gets major points. I brought in a loaf of banana bread the other day, 1) because The Intern could always stand to impress some people, and 2) because I didn’t want to eat the whole thing myself. Lo and behold, just because I made it didn’t stop me from getting sucked into the treats-in-the-kitchen excitement. I sat there and ate a big slice. And then another one. And realized I should have left the thing at home.
Anyone else have any office food challenges?
Do you cave to the candy dish every afternoon?
Do you trade in your cheap, healthy chow for a networking lunch out?
Do you have any good, um, self-control tips for a hungry, social foodie who’s a health nut (with a major sweet tooth) at heart?
5 comments:
Hi Kate! I recently went to one of Joy Bauer's seminars, who by the way is a very well-known Registered Dietitian currently working for the Today Show and she advised that if you tend to crave sweets and absolutely cannot go through a day without having them, have them later on in the day. For example, instead of having dessert after lunch or eating sweets as a mid-afternoon snack, make it a point to save it only for after dinner. That's because we have a tendency to keep craving sweets especially after we've satisfied such cravings earlier in the day. So save dessert until after dinner and... sleep it off :). It really does help. Self-control!
Thanks! I'll definitely try that (if I can make it that long with the candy dish staring at me...). I should have known you'd have some fabulous info for me!
Have you read 'The End of Overeating' yet? I snagged an advance copy a couple months ago and scanned it -- looked really interesting. The premise is that fat, sugar and salt are the devil and make us do crazy things...like eat more fat, sugar and salt. It's a good read!
No I have not! How can I get access to it? Definitely intrigues me. Typical for an aspiring dietitian huh? :)
Looks like it's out now!
http://www.amazon.com/End-Overeating-Insatiable-American-Appetite/dp/1605297852
Fellow snacker: You're singing my song. I could live for several days on the snacks in my drawer, and my purse usually needs to be supported from the bottom because it is full of more snacks. Not to worry. I'm at my ideal weight, for me, and my snacks are at least 70% healthy. I've read that eating something boosts metabolism by 30%, which means more blood to the brain and more calories for it to burn. Pick healthy snacks like nuts, whole grains, and fruits, and you'll stay slim and be more productive. (Stay away big meals and large quantities of sugar/carbs if you don't want to crash and burn!) Eat and be merry!
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