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Work at a grocery store?

Missfitjeb
Missfitjeb Posts: 30
edited February 6 in Food and Nutrition
I am a cake decorator working in a grocery store bakery (where extra cookies are plentiful!) and I never know what to eat if I don't pack a lunch. I once read that just being around food can make you believe you're hungry when you're not, seeing it and smelling it, makes you want it. I often find myself a victim of this diet commonly referred to as "the seafood diet" If I see it I eat it, or simply not having any will power.

For example today I had oatmeal and an apple for breakfast and I was satisfied. I had a tofurkey and cheese sandwich for lunch and another apple. Sounds good? Not when you consider what I had in between. Raw cookie dough, five goetze's caramels, a chocolate chip cookie, sarris chocolate covered pecans (break room freebee) and when I got home I went to Dairy Queen! Yes, I am drawing very near to my time of the month but I cannot use that as an excuse when I eat this way daily and wonder why I can't lose weight. I am around it everyday and I don't know how to say no.

If I don't bring my lunch for whatever reason, things are worse because I usually resort to crappy frozen foods or just eat more crap from the bakery. So, what I need from all of you wonderful people is to throw some suggestions out there for me, how can I break this vicious cycle? What do you recommend I purchase to eat while at the store to fight off cravings? (I am vegetarian) I only have a microwave available for cooking, two fifteen minute breaks and one half and hour lunch.

~As a side note, yes we are allowed to eat the extras at work. We are encouraged to taste so that we can tell the customer about the products from experience. So please don't talk about how it's theft or bad hygiene to eat in a food prep area. I practice very good hand washing and wear gloves all day long.~

Replies

  • gimpygramma
    gimpygramma Posts: 383 Member
    Can you chew gum on the job? I find that helps keep me from sampling when I bake at home.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I work in a place that sells the most delish clean salads, awesome chicken & some damn tasty chips. I don't get hungry from smelling it, seeing it or being near it.

    Even on my fasting days.


    I guess it comes all back down to willpower. That's something so many people are lacking.
  • blackgold86
    blackgold86 Posts: 171 Member
    Try some more protein and fats earlier in the day to keep you full.
  • jenniferb_00
    jenniferb_00 Posts: 81
    I work in a grocery store in the deli/prepared food section so i know what you mean. Usually i just keep a water bottle with me and keep drinking. I have to run up the the bathroom all the time, but its better then downing a couple hundred calories without noticing.
  • jvorocks
    jvorocks Posts: 32
    I to work in a grocery store but in the bulk foods dept with lots of candy. I drin lots of water and maybe if you think of it as theft ( even though its not that might discourage you from tasting. Good Luck
  • MysteriousMerlin
    MysteriousMerlin Posts: 2,270 Member
    The feels!! I know your pain! I went from McDonalds, to a grocery store (as a cake decorator too!), then to a bake shop! I sense a trend here, hmmm...

    Get away on your breaks, get some fresh air into your lungs to counter the delicious aromas. Chewing gum is a great idea, mint gum works best for me, as it tastes like I've just brushed my teeth.
  • takumaku
    takumaku Posts: 352 Member
    I was a professional baker many moons ago and specialized in creme cakes, pies, and cookies. It was a requirement that I taste test everything I made (hence the term baker's dozen).

    What I did was cut slivers of everything I made and tasted it that way. I gave out free samples to all my customers when I was tasting so I wouldn't be tempted to eat more of it. The customers were happy, I was happy, and the boss was happy since I met my taste testing requirements. A win-win situation all around.
  • lisa35120
    lisa35120 Posts: 230 Member
    I work in a deli at a grocery store so I know how you feel. People are always telling me to try a sample of things so I know what it tastes like. It's really hard to log those extra calories from little bits of food here and there too. I don't really like much deli food so it's not that big of a problem for me, though.

    Chewing gum is a good idea, but I know a lot of grocery stores and restaurants don't allow it. The ones I have worked at didn't.
  • shapefitter
    shapefitter Posts: 900 Member
    I don't see a problem, except for when you have to logg everything on MFP. It must take all your break times, trying to logg it all!
    :laugh:
  • CoffeeNBooze
    CoffeeNBooze Posts: 966 Member
    I used to work at a grocery store for years, so I know what you mean! It was even worse when domino's pizza moved into our building and customers put their fresh pizzas in their cart while i checked them out. But anyways!

    here's what I did...I just got what I wanted. I thought what would I want the most in the store (which was usually a cheesy pretzel from the bakery and a soda) and I had that.... didn't feel deprived or crazy after. If you're counting calories, I'd just factor it into your daily count!
  • Missfitjeb
    Missfitjeb Posts: 30
    I've tried the gum route but I find myself getting headaches if I chew too much, perhaps I'll take this suggestion in another direction and buy some mints instead of gum, maybe that'll do the trick =)
  • Missfitjeb
    Missfitjeb Posts: 30
    It's really nice to know I'm not alone, I appreciate everyone responding and reading your different solutions. I need to find my own distraction from food and focus on my will power and hopefully I can overcome it like some of you have =)
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