Navigating office politics and snack food

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  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    My co-workers know I'm trying to lose weight. It is a tradition / expectation to bring in treats for our birthday, and this year I cut up some honeydew, cantaloupe, pineapple, and grapes and brought that in. It fits the expectation and is healthy. When others bring in unhealthy items that don't fit my calorie intake, I just decline and remind them I'm trying to lose weight.

    Today, someone brought in cupcakes (she brought them in for her last day before she leaves town for college; but when someone is actually retiring, the company will often buy donuts). I do not plan to eat a cupcake, and I think she understands. There are no hard feelings from either side.
  • Dgydad
    Dgydad Posts: 104 Member
    Have you tried telling these kind folks, in plain, direct, polite language that you are restricting your calories for health reasons? If they understand they're putting you on the spot with their offers, they'll stop. Unless they're *kitten*, in which case they won't. The real question is "do you want to work with people who amuse themselves by tormenting co-workers?"......
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    I am going to add that, on busy days, our boss will buy lunch for the department (there are 3 of us total, so it isn't that big). While this is a financial benefit for me, I know it is really a benefit for our manager and the company... there are deadlines to be met, and he is asking us to work through lunch and ordering in food so that we do not have to leave. I'm OK with that, but every time that happens, I always remind the others that I'm trying to lose weight. One of them (co-worker, not the boss) gets upset sometimes that I won't participate if they just order a pizza, but he gets over it eventually. There have been a few times where he was stubborn also, so we ordered a pizza for them and a sandwich for me.

    I don't feel bad because ultimately, it helps the company more than it helps me to bring in lunch during those times... and I don't feel like it is fair to sacrifice my calories 2-4 days every month just because other people want pizza.
  • sho3girl
    sho3girl Posts: 10,799 Member
    You can tell people you're allergic to things but this can come back to bite you. If you tell them you're allergic to nuts someone might make something "just for you" and it would be even more rude to turn that down. Also if they ever catch you near your "allergy" food they will freak out.

    Sometimes honesty is best. Just say you're watching what you eat and you have a special treat at home so you can't partake in any of their goodies today, but maybe next time.

    My husband once told a pushy baking co-worker, "I'm allergic to cake...I eat it and I get fat".

    that's my favorite line i've read today !

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