How do I maintain my metabolism at work?

Geekyfatgirl
Geekyfatgirl Posts: 164 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
So, I work at a Buffet where I am running around putting food on the bars for about 6-8 hours and I work 4 days out of the week. I have heard that you're supposed to eat many small things throughout the day, like little snacks here and there, to up your calorie intake, and to keep your metabolism higher. Well, Many times I work very early in the morning, so I'm up at 5am, there's nothing to eat and I have to drive all the way out to work, and when I get there, I have to put the food out. I don't get a break to eat mid shift or anything, and I can't snack on anything, because, that's unwanted by management. So, it'll be around 3 by the time I get home, and by that time, my stomach has been growling for 4 hours already.

Am I damaging my body that way? Is my body just going to store all the food I eat after work then? I don't know of anything I can do, except for make a small quick breakfast on the go, which will need to be something I can take on the go. And, what about the 8 hours during work? How can I try and get my metabolism up, or is it far too late? T_T I would appreciate any help!

Replies

  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    1. You don't have to eat frequently to keep your metabolism going.
    2. If you want breakfast and "there's nothing to eat", whose fault is that? Buy some food.
    3. It's probably illegal to be denied a lunch break for a full shift. Check your state laws.
    4. No your body is not going to "store" all the food you eat after work. If it did then where would it be getting fuel to run on?
  • gramacanada
    gramacanada Posts: 557 Member
    Do you not get breaks at work? It's a law you have to I'm sure. Even if you can have a few minutes to eat a fruit or vegetable, some whole grain crackers. something you brought from home. A piece or two of cheese. maybe a few slices of ham. it's at least better. Good luck.
  • 3laine75
    3laine75 Posts: 3,069 Member
    your legally allowed a break during those 8 hours and your management 'frowning upon' eating should't stop you. If it suits you to have a breakfast and lunch then do it. if it doesn't suit you, don't.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Your metabolism keeps running along quite nicely and doesn't need help. Eating 5 or 6 meals a day does not significantly effect metabolism. Nutritional timing is realy of no consequence. Stay within your calories goals for the day and you'll be fine. I'm guessing you get a nice little boost to your metabolism with all that running around!!

    Your body is absolutely not going to store all the food you eat later. You can eat all your calories over 10 meals or all at one. Some of us do intermittent fasting and don't eat from the time we have dinner until early afternoon the next day. It makes no difference to your metabolism or your fat storage. That is all myth. Not to worry grasshopper! :smile:
  • Geekyfatgirl
    Geekyfatgirl Posts: 164 Member
    My managers feel that in order to have a break, it must be 'slow' and there should be someone to cover your spot. Though that rarely happens, I do try to sneak a bite of whatever we have, it's just hard to get a good amount of food. I just wanted to know if, I didn't end up eating that whole shift, if that would stunt my metabolism.
  • Geekyfatgirl
    Geekyfatgirl Posts: 164 Member
    Your metabolism keeps running along quite nicely and doesn't need help. Eating 5 or 6 meals a day does not significantly effect metabolism. Nutritional timing is realy of no consequence. Stay within your calories goals for the day and you'll be fine. I'm guessing you get a nice little boost to your metabolism with all that running around!!

    Your body is absolutely not going to store all the food you eat later. You can eat all your calories over 10 meals or all at one. Some of us do intermittent fasting and don't eat from the time we have dinner until early afternoon the next day. It makes no difference to your metabolism or your fat storage. That is all myth. Not to worry grasshopper! :smile:

    ^__^ Oh yay!! That's good to know! I was really worried that if my stomach was growling, I was going into starvation mode and it would just try to store all the fat!

    At least now, I can be plenty happy with eating when I get off work.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    My managers feel that in order to have a break, it must be 'slow' and there should be someone to cover your spot. Though that rarely happens, I do try to sneak a bite of whatever we have, it's just hard to get a good amount of food. I just wanted to know if, I didn't end up eating that whole shift, if that would stunt my metabolism.

    Not at all!
  • ElizabethRoad
    ElizabethRoad Posts: 5,138 Member
    My managers feel that in order to have a break, it must be 'slow' and there should be someone to cover your spot. Though that rarely happens, I do try to sneak a bite of whatever we have, it's just hard to get a good amount of food. I just wanted to know if, I didn't end up eating that whole shift, if that would stunt my metabolism.
    Seriously, that's illegal.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    My managers feel that in order to have a break, it must be 'slow' and there should be someone to cover your spot. Though that rarely happens, I do try to sneak a bite of whatever we have, it's just hard to get a good amount of food. I just wanted to know if, I didn't end up eating that whole shift, if that would stunt my metabolism.

    Your question has been answered, but I am concerned about this break thing. Please check your state labor laws. It doesn't matter what your managers "feel" about giving you a break if they're required to give you one. It seems a six hour shift should at least warrant a 15 minute break, but again - check your state laws.
  • Geekyfatgirl
    Geekyfatgirl Posts: 164 Member
    Thanks all for the help in answering my question and concerns. I will also look into the state laws about the break thing, I've always been the kind to just, accept it, even if my bosses say "no", but I'll do more research!
  • cmurray234
    cmurray234 Posts: 112 Member
    If you live in the US, your bosses are not allowed to require you to work that long without a meal break.

    That being said, what I would do is to keep some Kashi bars on hand and keep one in your purse. At least eat before you start your work day.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    Thanks all for the help in answering my question and concerns. I will also look into the state laws about the break thing, I've always been the kind to just, accept it, even if my bosses say "no", but I'll do more research!

    Well, I just googled this - you're in Indiana, right? It looks like they are not required to provide any breaks except for specific circumstances. The only other recourse would be if you work for a national chain that has rules about giving employees breaks. This is ludicrous, but I won't get into what I think about the American work mentality.

    http://www.in.gov/dol/2345.htm#113

    I know that's a bit off topic, but you do say you get pretty hungry so I guess you just have to try to sneak snacks.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member
    If you live in the US, your bosses are not allowed to require you to work that long without a meal break.

    That being said, what I would do is to keep some Kashi bars on hand and keep one in your purse. At least eat before you start your work day.

    Unfortunately, I don't think this is true. Federal law does not require breaks so it is up to state law or company policy.
  • tajmel
    tajmel Posts: 401 Member
    You don't need to eat multiple meals a day, or eat at a certain time of day, or anything like that. All that matters is your net calories. Some people do have trouble with overeating if they don't get to eat until they're very hungry. Some don't.

    People above are correct about the labor laws. It's pretty difficult to get a boss to care though, and it can be scary even confronting them about it. Sorry your boss sucks.
  • cmurray234
    cmurray234 Posts: 112 Member


    Unfortunately, I don't think this is true. Federal law does not require breaks so it is up to state law or company policy.

    True that it is not a federal law...but i don't know of any state that doesn't have some sort of regulation concerning breaks.
  • Laddiegirl
    Laddiegirl Posts: 382 Member
    Here is what I would do about food:
    1. Go grocery shopping and have food at home for a quick, on the go but healthy breakfast. Even if you have to eat it in the car as you drive to work.
    2. Keep on the go snacks in your purse or locker at work for when you do get breaks. They are probably healthier than what you're getting sneaking a bite or two at the buffet you work at.


    I typed up a whole thing about your breaks but just read what the other poster posted about breaks not being required by your state (utterly ridiculous!). So I would definitely keep some healthy snacks in your purse, on the go breakfast items for you in the morning and look into another job that doesn't treat its employees so poorly (I mean a 10 minute break here and there should not have to be something legally mandated, that is ridiculous!). Goodluck.
  • tajmel
    tajmel Posts: 401 Member
    http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/workhours/breaks.htm

    Just kidding, I'm apparently full of crap.
  • veganbaum
    veganbaum Posts: 1,865 Member


    Unfortunately, I don't think this is true. Federal law does not require breaks so it is up to state law or company policy.

    True that it is not a federal law...but i don't know of any state that doesn't have some sort of regulation concerning breaks.

    I provided a link in my previous post to the Indiana Dept of Labor's laws - no breaks are required except in specific circumstances.
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