I need some serious help with food at work

gramarye

People have already given advice for snacks to eat -- but I want to echo people that I don't recommend snacking at all if you're only doing it out of boredom. I lounge snack a lot -- if I'm reading a book or just sitting doing something that doesn't keep my hands busy, I'll snack even when I'm not hungry.

Cross-stitching is an easy task to pick up/put down if you need something to keep your hands busy. Or you might just need to constantly check-in with yourself. I have to basically say to myself out loud, "Hey, are you actually hungry, or do you just want to eat?"

adventrgrl

I know you asked for food suggestions, so forgive me for venturing off topic... Too many calories? The wrong calories (sugar/carbs) that spurs cravings or 'bored' eating? Limit overall carbs? but also limiting grams of sugar per meal/snack?

My life strategy is getting enough fat and protein to feel satiated and keep sugar low to prevent blood sugar spikes and the (undeniable) resultant cravings. I'm sure you're an expert on all of this considering you've lost so much weight! Can you read or do something to keep your mind busy?

Otherwise, excellent fat/protein snacks are: raw unsalted nuts and pumpkin seeds (pepitas), dark chocolate (at least 72%), avocado dips or salsa and raw veggies, apple or banana slices and almond/peanut butter, simple WHEY protein "shake" {ex: 1-1.5 c water, 20g vanilla protein powder like Tera's Whey or Jay Robb, 2 tbsp PB2 powder, 1/2 banana or 2oz banana, handful raw baby spinach} .. (you can add a TBSP of good oil to shake to increase fat which increases satiety: hemp seed or flax seed oil), salted sweet potato chips (use good salt full of minerals like pink himalayan or real salt), hard-boiled eggs, tuna mixed with avocado/onions/tomato, organic coffee with tbsp butter or coconut oil, any herbal tea with tsp of raw honey (actually beneficial), ... NO PREP needed: Kind bars, Nature Valley protein bars (10g protein, 14g carbs, low sugar!), skinny pop or boom chicka popcorn (popcorn is loaded with fiber for fullness and colon health), any raw berry: blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc (low in sugar, high in fiber = filling)

Sorry such a long post... let me know if you want more suggestions or if my style is too weird

I forgot to add this, which I think would be useful for anyone using this site to lose weight. It's an article about L-glutamine supplementation. I don't normally rely on supplements for anything, try to get everything I need from my food (which is why I use this site - to monitor macro nutrients and things like potassium and sugar, etc), BUT I read this article and began taking L-glutamine and all I can say is that it works! http://www.foodrenegade.com/how-beat-sugar-cravings-glutamine/

beccyleigh

Ok, I'm going to saw something quite obvious but if you don't take it, you can't eat it.

So only take a few nutritious snacks in work & leave another healthy snack in your car for when the shift ends & then go home & have a proper breakfast & sleep.

JoRocka

tomatoey wrote: »

dopeysmelly wrote: »

I would suggest that taking your food to work is not causing you to gain weight, but eating too many calories for your activity level probably is. Is the issue that you are eating too much food which is available at work, or you are taking too much food with you?

Well, OP is eating too many calories via taking foods to work, so it's a distinction without a difference imo. This is how the problem looks for her.

again- easy solution- don't bring so much food to work.

enigma9051

Often we mistake for hunger is really a need for fluids, particularly water. Before reaching for something to eat, try drinking a full glass of water. As for food, eating anything with a lot of protein & low carbs will help keep your hunger satisfied muck longer (evens out blood sugar ). For a high protein, low calorie snack, try a hard-boiled egg. Add a little on-salt and it should satisfy your hunger for two-three hours. (But try satisfying your thrust first).

purplemystra

Yoplait Greek 100 calories Whip, they are like a dessert. Sun-maid Dark chocolate yogurt raisins. I also love Cutie mandarin oranges. Pickles are good. I also like Quaker Popped. They are low in calories and have savory and sweet flavors. It's what I eat when I want chips. Chewing sugar free gum helps me a lot when I have that need to just chew.

jgnatca

Air popped popcorn.

If knitting needles are out of the question, how about hand knitting?
http://www.handimania.com/knit/30-minute-infinity-scarf.html

RENAEJAE

So many great suggestions here. Ultimately you need to occupy yourself in some way so you're not thinking about eating another snack every 20 minutes. The big thing here is Self-Talk. Are you really hungry or is it just Head-Hunger? Trade out the habit of a snack for drinking at least 16 oz of water. This will also increase your trips to the bathroom which increases your steps each night. Wearing a pedometer to track your steps may also motivate you.

Starting a new job is stressful. Sounds like you're motivated to make it work to your advantage. Best of luck!

Packerjohn

RENAEJAE wrote: »

Ultimately you need to occupy yourself in some way so you're not thinking about eating another snack every 20 minutes. The big thing here is Self-Talk. Are you really hungry or is it just Head-Hunger? Trade out !

This ^. Y have to get the root cause fixed otherwise you'll just end up eating excess calories of "healty" food.

fruitydelicious

Have you thought about eating your largest meal before you go to work with LOTS of protein!! Bring healthy snacks and have them already logged in MFP before you go to work so you know that what ever is in you lunch bag had been accounted for. Before you eat anything not in your healthy snack bag, you need to weigh in your mind what is more important - the temporary high from a high calorie snack, or the long term AWESOMENESS from keeping off all the weight you lost!!!!! I need to lose 100+ pounds and I have been using this mind technique to stop the endless snacking I did at night. It is hard. I also use prayer and relying on The Lord to get through cravings.

canadjineh

I work security patrol nights for gov't & business... (I have no access to fridge or microwave) I take along HB eggs, sturdy lettuce leaves like romaine or butter to fill with lean sliced turkey, roast beef, or ham. On days when I need more fats for my macros I take celery and a good serving of old cheddar or an antipasto mix with mushrooms (raw pickled), green olives, thin prosciutto. I do about 3-4 km of walking during my shift though, so my calories for the evening may not equal yours. Hope it gave you some ideas though.

WillowThorn

Try just drinking lots of water. I worked overnights for a few years and had access to junk food and the two combined did not do my health any favors....until I switched to water. Just take a sip whenever you feel a need to snack. It helps keep you awake too. For when you really do need to eat something, try something like carrot sticks and some nuts (just be careful not to go overboard on those)

SingRunTing

You lost 109lbs. What did you eat then? Eat the same things, in appropriate quantities.

Stop eating because you're bored. Find something else to do to help your boredom instead.

urloved33

banana, apple, orange and I cut them up as I eat each one so they last longer than if I just bit into them. I bring hard boiled eggs and triscuits too.

peter56765

Another vote for breaking the habit. Food should not be your go to solution for when you're bored.