HELP!!!! I have no control over my food

I work in a place where breakfast and lunch is given. This i find easy as I just stick to my normal routine and my work is normal physical like walking or sometimes even swimming so lunch is worked off. However if I do a late shift they provide dinner where I have no control over what I'm given. Im a pescatarian (i know the spelling is not right) and they work round it however that is of course limited. I try to make my own meals if the shift allows or if Im cooking i try to make it as healthy as i can but as its a set menu its not always easy. I have had 2 weeks off work as I have lost more weight than I have at work. This might be because I can and do exercise more but I don't want to go back down the slippery slope when I go back.

Before people start saying exercise before I go to work I do but I don't know what I'm eating most days until I get there so I could exercise and be well under what I need. Does anyone else have this problem at work and if so how do you guys work round it.

Many thanks :smile:
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Replies

  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    Pretty awesome you work somewhere that feeds you but your statement "I have no control what I am given" sounds like a cop out if I am blunt.

    You have ABSOLUTE control over what you eat. If you are unable to eat food that reflects your lifestyle goals at work then pack your own lunch.
  • Pretty awesome you work somewhere that feeds you but your statement "I have no control what I am given" sounds like a cop out if I am blunt.

    You have ABSOLUTE control over what you eat. If you are unable to eat food that reflects your lifestyle goals at work then pack your own lunch.

    I agree. It's really nice that food is provided, but if it's not what you want to be eating, bring your own food with you.
  • ^^^ What she said. It's not like they are cramming the stuff they order down your throat, you use your own hands and your own mouth to eat it, there for you are in control. Just eat when you get home or something.
  • katy84o
    katy84o Posts: 744 Member
    I'm afraid this is going to be another.. ^^I agree with them.

    How do you not have control? Are you a taste tester where you actually must eat the food that is provided because it is your job to do so?
  • RVfrog
    RVfrog Posts: 213 Member
    sorry I agree with everyone else. You do have control.........take your own. Exercise and you take control. Don't make excuses......
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    I know I have control but I only have what they give me and I can't go 8 hours without eating if I choose not eat what they have. I have thought about bring dinner with me as that's the only meal I have a calorie issue and that does seem the best option its just what is gonna keep me full without snacking that's also quick to eat. So ideas would be good thans
  • smanning1982
    smanning1982 Posts: 210 Member
    Is there a fridge/freezer in the breakroom? I would just bring say 4 or 5 heathier options each Monday and stick them in the freezer. Lean pockets, healthy choice meals etc that is lower in calories. Yes, I know it's not the unprocessed great stuff but I am sure it's better and lower in calories than what they're feeding you. Some days eat what they are giving you but use a small plate and small portions. If what they are giving is really high in calories then go heat up your meal from the freezer!
  • MeeshyBW
    MeeshyBW Posts: 382 Member
    What are they actually feeding you in work that's so awful? Can you give us an idea of the options. Surely if work is providing the food there needs to be at least 2 options, meat and Vegetarian?
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?
  • hope516
    hope516 Posts: 1,133 Member
    I agree with everyone's advice. And try skinnytaste.com. Make crock pot meals and freeze them in one serving portions.

    But mostly I wanted to know....whats a pescetarian :huh: Is it a vegetarian that eats fish only??
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    What are they actually feeding you in work that's so awful? Can you give us an idea of the options. Surely if work is providing the food there needs to be at least 2 options, meat and Vegetarian?

    Im a support worker so the service users/ residents choose what they want and we just cook more of that for us staff they cook me something different since im a veggie well non meat eater as i eat fish. but it will be veggie lasagna or fish fingers and chips or mac and cheese. Its all home cooked fatty foods. I would bring a load of my stuff but since i do shifts i cant leave my stuff in the fridge or freezer as its not mine its the residents. I can but only one thing so like every day.
  • Lefriedline
    Lefriedline Posts: 61 Member
    I'm with the others, is there more going on here? It is my understanding that being pescatarian is a choice. If they work around that as you mentioned, will they not work around healthier options? If not, packing before hand is your best option
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    I agree with everyone's advice. And try skinnytaste.com. Make crock pot meals and freeze them in one serving portions.

    But mostly I wanted to know....whats a pescetarian :huh: Is it a vegetarian that eats fish only??

    and yes its a veggie that eats fish but all other meat products is a no go :)
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.
  • hope516
    hope516 Posts: 1,133 Member
    I agree with everyone's advice. And try skinnytaste.com. Make crock pot meals and freeze them in one serving portions.

    But mostly I wanted to know....whats a pescetarian :huh: Is it a vegetarian that eats fish only??

    and yes its a veggie that eats fish but all other meat products is a no go :)

    See my latin did help!!! :laugh: Now can I ask you something that is totally off topic...I don't even know if you track your macros or not but if so are you able to get enough protein? I am not a vegetarian or a pescetarian :tongue: but I am just naturally not a big meat eater and I find it so difficult to get my protein up high enough... do you have that problem??
  • Femtec74
    Femtec74 Posts: 347 Member
    Pack a bag of healthy stuff - Almonds, fruit, whatever you might eat on your days off. Get in insulated lunch bag and some freezer packs if you can't use the fridge. Do they allow you to use the microwave?
  • MSeel1984
    MSeel1984 Posts: 2,297 Member
    umm...pack your own food?
  • danika2point0
    danika2point0 Posts: 197 Member
    Sometimes I get bored at work and want to snack...to prevent doing this unhealthily, I have loads of fruit on my desk and in the fridge. Make it easy for yourself to make good choices. Also, even a can of soup + slice of bread can be a lovely and filling dinner - low in calories too, cheap, and requires no refrigeration. If you prepare, you will have no excuses.
  • Lefriedline
    Lefriedline Posts: 61 Member
    Im a support worker so the service users/ residents choose what they want and we just cook more of that for us staff they cook me something different since im a veggie well non meat eater as i eat fish. but it will be veggie lasagna or fish fingers and chips or mac and cheese. Its all home cooked fatty foods. I would bring a load of my stuff but since i do shifts i cant leave my stuff in the fridge or freezer as its not mine its the residents. I can but only one thing so like every day.

    I think most people using MFP pack and bring a lunch everyday in order to avoid the same thing you are trying to avoid, so I don't think having to bring something different everyday is a deal breaker. Even if you can't leave your things overnight, packing a lunch the night before shouldn't be too difficult-- what I have started doing is packing my lunch and snacks the night before and logged right then and there. This way, I am not tempted to go over the snacks I have already alloted myself and I know what I am working with.
    When I was a server and had a similar situation as yours, especially when working doubles, I packed my lunch and ate that on my break. I would sneak my snacks here and there when I needed them and it worked. Often times, I would be there from 11 am to 11 or 12 at night...it was difficult and annoying but you can make it work.
    I think planning ahead will help you. Good luck
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Pretty awesome you work somewhere that feeds you but your statement "I have no control what I am given" sounds like a cop out if I am blunt.

    You have ABSOLUTE control over what you eat. If you are unable to eat food that reflects your lifestyle goals at work then pack your own lunch.

    I agree. It's really nice that food is provided, but if it's not what you want to be eating, bring your own food with you.

    this, you don't like what they are serving ...bring your own food...life and eating habits will then be easier...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.

    honestly, it sounds like you do not want to eat that healthy. i have seen about five or six good posts on this thready with good suggestions and you just keep coming up excuses. If you want to lose weight you are going to have to change your lifestyle and that is going to involve not eating the junk that they feed you at work and not "munching on biscuits"...If you can only bring one meal a day..bring one meal a day...if you don't want to munch on fatty foods..keep some almonds, healthy trail mix, protein bar, or something in your desk/place at work...

    Kind of annoying when someone posts a thread asking for help, and then systematically finds excuse to ignore said help....
  • jennifer_255
    jennifer_255 Posts: 86 Member
    you could eat smaller portions and bring healthy little snacks but you know what you could also just eat really light when you go home so very low cal dinners n higher cal lunches x
  • jennifer_255
    jennifer_255 Posts: 86 Member
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.

    honestly, it sounds like you do not want to eat that healthy. i have seen about five or six good posts on this thready with good suggestions and you just keep coming up excuses. If you want to lose weight you are going to have to change your lifestyle and that is going to involve not eating the junk that they feed you at work and not "munching on biscuits"...If you can only bring one meal a day..bring one meal a day...if you don't want to munch on fatty foods..keep some almonds, healthy trail mix, protein bar, or something in your desk/place at work...

    Kind of annoying when someone posts a thread asking for help, and then systematically finds excuse to ignore said help....
    #


    no its not annoying SHE FEELS STUCK and wants advice, taking it is easier said than done. talking about it is a first step so dont be so mean!!!!
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.

    honestly, it sounds like you do not want to eat that healthy. i have seen about five or six good posts on this thready with good suggestions and you just keep coming up excuses. If you want to lose weight you are going to have to change your lifestyle and that is going to involve not eating the junk that they feed you at work and not "munching on biscuits"...If you can only bring one meal a day..bring one meal a day...if you don't want to munch on fatty foods..keep some almonds, healthy trail mix, protein bar, or something in your desk/place at work...

    Kind of annoying when someone posts a thread asking for help, and then systematically finds excuse to ignore said help....
    #


    no its not annoying SHE FEELS STUCK and wants advice, taking it is easier said than done. talking about it is a first step so dont be so mean!!!!

    I am not being mean..I am being honest..

    I see a lot of good ideas and I then I just see excuses as to why they cannot be done.
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.

    If you're a picker/grazer, try some sunflower seeds in the shell. A good size bag has 190 calories and it takes a few days to get through the whole bag if you're just grabbing a handful at a time. To track the calories from it without counting every seed eaten, just log the whole bag when you open it and then just make sure that you're under total calories for the week. If you don't mind artificial flavors/sodum frito lay has the sunflower seeds in ranch and barbeque flavors and they're really tasty.. but I try to stick with plain because I'm not crazy about consuming artificial stuff.
  • AQ3107
    AQ3107 Posts: 81 Member
    I worked as a support worker in a residential home when I was at uni so I know what you are talking about. It was against the company policy to bring our own food except for snacks and we had to eat the same as the residents for equality etc etc purposes.
    What I would suggest is control the portion size and bring your own healthy snacks.
    You can't control what is being cooked etc etc but you can eat smaller portions

    I apologise if this has been suggested already. Good luck.
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    I agree with everyone's advice. And try skinnytaste.com. Make crock pot meals and freeze them in one serving portions.

    But mostly I wanted to know....whats a pescetarian :huh: Is it a vegetarian that eats fish only??

    and yes its a veggie that eats fish but all other meat products is a no go :)

    See my latin did help!!! :laugh: Now can I ask you something that is totally off topic...I don't even know if you track your macros or not but if so are you able to get enough protein? I am not a vegetarian or a pescetarian :tongue: but I am just naturally not a big meat eater and I find it so difficult to get my protein up high enough... do you have that problem??

    haha no i eat quorn so that helps with my protein the one thing i struggle with is my iron. my iron can drop low so every now and then i have to change my diet to accommodate for extar dark greens etc but as a rule i generally dont have any problems health wise :smile:
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    I worked as a support worker in a residential home when I was at uni so I know what you are talking about. It was against the company policy to bring our own food except for snacks and we had to eat the same as the residents for equality etc etc purposes.
    What I would suggest is control the portion size and bring your own healthy snacks.
    You can't control what is being cooked etc etc but you can eat smaller portions

    I apologise if this has been suggested already. Good luck.

    not at all thank you. and we can bring our food but we can't load the fridge up with our food for the week :smile: and I do try eating smaller and telling the person im not that hungry so a small dinner will do but everyone portion sizes r different arent they??? :laugh: I am thinking of taking in a good chunky salad with chic peas etc thank you good to see i wasnt the only one that struggles in these enviroments :smile:
  • natm91
    natm91 Posts: 39
    So your work does not allow you to pack your own meals? I'm very confused. Do you work at a Prison?

    I work in a convenience store and can eat/drink whatever I want during my shift. Hot dogs, ice cream, fried chicken, chips, soda cold cut sandwiches... all provided for free. BUT I don't eat them, I bring my own food.

    Bring all the fixins for a huge 500 calorie salad. (veggies in one bag, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in another bag, shredded cheese in another bag and a separate container for dressing. At work just dump everything into a bowl and eat it.

    Cottage cheese/yogurt. high protein and keeps many people full (cottage cheese keeps me full for hours and I have a BIG appetite)

    make some curried or taco seasoned lentils with tomato/onion/garlic/cilantro and put in a container. at work, use a microwave to heat it up. wrap in lettuce leaf with some avocado and a dollop of greek yogurt. YUM.. SO FILLING.

    Hummus and veggies

    Dried fruit/nuts/seeds


    None of these things take a long time to eat or are hard to prepare... I don't understand the problem.. is there more going on here that we don't know?

    Thanks for the tips and I dunno if there is more going on but i just dont know what to bring while im at work im either on my feet all day or sitting doing nothing. i pick a lot and mixed with unhealthy/ fatty food my calories build up. I just needed some tips on what I can do to help control the calorie intake especially since i have no idea what i could take in to eat that fills me up i tried a salad but i went back to munching on biscuits again.

    If you're a picker/grazer, try some sunflower seeds in the shell. A good size bag has 190 calories and it takes a few days to get through the whole bag if you're just grabbing a handful at a time. To track the calories from it without counting every seed eaten, just log the whole bag when you open it and then just make sure that you're under total calories for the week. If you don't mind artificial flavors/sodum frito lay has the sunflower seeds in ranch and barbeque flavors and they're really tasty.. but I try to stick with plain because I'm not crazy about consuming artificial stuff.

    Thank for the tips gonna start taking in my own lunchs and just exercise like a demon and try not to eat it all im just awful i feel the need to eat all of it even if im not hungry :smile:
  • Jimaudit
    Jimaudit Posts: 275
    Couldn't you just pack your food in an insulated lunchbox with small ice packs? Thats what we do for both my wife and daughter and the food stays plenty cold and safe.

    We live in south florida where it is very warm most of the year and have never had a problem with food spoiling or getting too warm...I assume your building has A/C in the summer so not sure why this is a problem for you.

    Then again I work from home so no issues for me.