Advice on saying "No Thanks" for office snacks

OP - I have a few items at my desk to help curb that issue should it arise. If someone brings in something sweet and I feel good about my calories that day, I may have a small sliver. If not, I'll pop a hard candy that's only 15-20 calories. To curb salty snacks that are offered, I have some plain microwave popcorn bags I'll pop up.

I just am mindful of what I'm eating, and plan for any surprises (I.e. an office birthday). It's not easy, but having something planned for those times is better than munching away 500 or more calories in a pop.

Good luck!

Depending on who asks, I'll either say I'm watching what I'm eating (for co-workers who respect having dietary goals), or I'll tell them I forgot we were doing a pizza lunch or whatever and that I already ate. Which is 99% of the time the truth.

The biggest problem is food that someone has made. We have a lot of people here on work visas from various countries, and many of those cultures are highly offended if you don't sample some of their food. Otherwise, I'd just say no, thank you and be done. My job is largely service-oriented, so to keep everyone happy, I'll take a small amount of what they offer, take a small bite and talk it up. Then discretely get rid of the rest, later. Obviously you don't do this if you have a food allergy or some such, but if it's just an issue of calories, then one bite is not a disaster.

If I want to look like you- I'd eat like you.

I would be incredibly hurt if anyone I worked with said that to me. In some places I can imagine that being interpreted as a low-level form of bullying.

First- that's not the first thing I say- first thing I say is no thank you.

Secondly
meh- not my problem. Toughen up.
it's totally a true statement.

You were the one pushing (and I say that if someone is truly PUSHING- not just if someone offered it to me). It's one thing to offer a treat- but it's a complete seperate issue to KNOW someone is trying to adjust their diet and continue to be rude and pushy about treats- even if they are home made. It's just rude. So if someone wants to treat me like that- guess what.... you aren't going to get the polite no thank you. I'll be polite the first few times- but after that no way. I look amazing- and no one else in my office does and they know it. And they know why. It's no secret.

Someone told me once "oh that's right- you're trying to be a size zero"


get the F out. I don't tolerate "reverse" pushiness. I speak up for myself.

I think I love you.

I deal with this at work all the time. Our company buys us lunch twice a week, and it is not really healthy. I just take it home. Or eat half of whatever is given to me.

I usually just say "no, thank you." If that's not enough I just tell them that I'm watching what I'm eating or counting calories. Sometimes you still have those that continue to bug you and this isn't just at work, sometimes its friends or family too. They'll say "one bite of cake won't hurt you." My reply is usually, "if I have one bite, I will want to eat the whole thing and I need to eat dinner later!" In the worst of cases I tell them that they're being a food pusher and I'm not too fond of food pushers. Food pushers are the worst!

Allergies. Best excuse ever.

Hi Guys,
ADVICE PLEASE!! Today is the first day my office had birthday snacks that I politely said no thanks too......since starting back up using MFP I really wanted to make sure that I didn't add any extra calories from all the office snacking. Two people asked why I wasn't having any....the first one I just said I wasn't having any today....the second I just said Im not in the mood for that snack today. So my question is, has anyone else had to deal with this and how do you tell them with out saying IM ON A DIET? It was a little annoying when the second person asked since all eyes seemed to be on me at that time, I really didn't know what to say, I didn't feel like I needed to share with the whole office that I am counting calories. Thanks for any advice in advance.

My office is my downfall. I've even looked for another job because of the food issue -- but other offices are like this, too. On holidays clients and co-workers load my desk with homemade cookies and bags of chocolates (and I found out that one woman doesn't want the chocolates somebody gives her, so she regifts them and sticks them on my desk). We have a "hospitality fridge" full of cakes and donuts and brownies. I'm a junk food queen, a sugar addict, and can't eat it in moderation. Worse than that, if I eat a lot of chocolate I'll get a migraine. I've been to the emergency room twice because I ate too much chocolate junk.

I'm not eating that stuff anymore. It wrecks my health, makes me fat, ruins my skin, and gives me migraines. I don't owe other people that just to spare their feelings. I'm simply telling people, "I don't eat sugar." I've cut it from my diet because I have health issues. End of story. And if they leave it on my desk it will go in the trashcan.

Depending on who asks, I'll either say I'm watching what I'm eating (for co-workers who respect having dietary goals), or I'll tell them I forgot we were doing a pizza lunch or whatever and that I already ate. Which is 99% of the time the truth.

The biggest problem is food that someone has made. We have a lot of people here on work visas from various countries, and many of those cultures are highly offended if you don't sample some of their food. Otherwise, I'd just say no, thank you and be done. My job is largely service-oriented, so to keep everyone happy, I'll take a small amount of what they offer, take a small bite and talk it up. Then discretely get rid of the rest, later. Obviously you don't do this if you have a food allergy or some such, but if it's just an issue of calories, then one bite is not a disaster.

I have to second this. Sometimes I'll say "Oh, no thank you. I'm really full." Sometimes, it's easier to just take some of it, grin, be gracious, and then "do the needful" as they say. Sometimes the people who have the least are the ones most likely to share and well, it's not worth it to me to alienate myself because I'm not feeling it, don't want to eat it, or it's not something I can eat.

If it's something I can't eat because of an allergy, I'll try to state that in an "it won't be pretty on the carpet" kind of way, even if that's not how the allergy manifests itself. "That looks and smells delicious, and I'd love to try it if i didn't have this bloody seafood allergy." "What about trying some of it without shrimp?" "Sadly, even the tiniest bit of shrimp makes sicker than a dog. Besides, you know how our health care plan is. *laugh*"

I just don't understand why you can not say why, be honest and say no thank you I am on a calorie diet and I do not want to eat between meals so I will not be having anymore snacks and then you could add but I hope you enjoy them

My standard "no thanks" joke goes something like, "Oh, sorry...this is the biggest shirt I own and it's already too tight...I don't want to pop any buttons." The peeps usually laugh and/or smile, and then I quickly follow up with something like, "but seriously, thanks for offering, but I'll pass". Works every time without making waves.

It'll only be an issue at the beginning, after that everyone will realize you're serious about it/ you're "one of those healthy people" and quit expecting you to have some. I don't think it comes from a bad place, people are just naturally curious about why someone who usually partakes in the office goodies all of a sudden isn't.

I'm pretty lucky because I hate chocolate, and it seems that there's either chocolate cake, cupcakes, or some type of chocolate chip ice cream always in order for celebrations around my office. In saying that, whenever there is something else and I can't use that excuse, I just say "no thank you". If they push the issue, as there's always someone that does, just say you're not big into sweets.

What can they say after that..."Yes you are!!!"

Probably not...

I tell people I suffer from MYGO syndrome and cant eat high sugar/high fat/high carb snacks. Most dont ask what it is but if you're asked (My Eyes Glaze Over)

It sounds like you did all that was necessary!