The afternoon slump: eating my feelings in the office

autumnwater

Hi everyone! I wanted some advice about how to curb sugar cravings in the afternoon. My office has sweet treats lying around all the time, and I get intense cravings for them in the afternoon on weekdays. I get to that point where I'm feeling tired/down and I need a pick-me-up, and I just want sugar.

What I noticed though is
1) On the weekends, I have a much easier time staying away from bad foods because I can entertain myself with other things.

2) A cookie lying around in the office has a completely different effect on me than a cookie in the grocery store. I only crave sugary sweets that I don't have to pay for. Siince I just got out of school and started work, I'm still high on the idea of getting free food. I'm trying to tell myself that although I don't have to pay for food lying around, there is still a cost to it, and the cost is my body. However, the message doesn't seem to hit home yet.

Any tips about how to handle the afternoon slump//sugar craving attacks would be appreciated! Thanks.

aronao

Hi

Take some healthy snacks to work so they're right on your desk when you get your cravings. I have sugar free chocolate or a mini low carb protein bar or a banana. Also make sure your breakfast and lunch are good, filling and healthy. It might help stop the afternoon slump. I work in a office too and there's a huge jar of jellybeans on my workmate's desk which I have to ignore regularly.

hhayes06

I have a box of Nature Valley Granola Thins - Dark chocolate peanut butter in my cubby at work. I work in a police department so there are always tasty treats lying around and when I get the urge to have a cookie/brownie/doughnut/whatever then I go grab a granola bar. Like PP said, keep healthy snacks on hand in your desk and you are set.