Need Advice - Food in Office kitchen

runner475
runner475 Posts: 1,236 Member
edited February 17 in Motivation and Support
My office folks love food and will bring in baked goodies ..... I need advice on - How do MFP folks deal with this situation at work. I really need some strategies that you guys use to avoid the junk.

One achievement I would like to own up though - In the past I would eat 3 - 4 assorted cookies today I just picked one - ate half and threw off half.

Please give some mantras you guys use to this "cookie loving soul'.:smile:

Replies

  • Josalinn
    Josalinn Posts: 1,066 Member
    Its hard especially when the people are GOOD bakers. If it looks store bought I don't eat it, unless I am told it came from the local bakery in town. But can you limit your trips to the kitchen? maybe get a thermos for tea and coffee, and a water bottle? Then you are only in there to grab your lunch. Also snacks at your desk if its a lowed to keep you from being peckish during the day.

    Its like little kids who think that if they cant see mom and dad, then mom and dad won't see them sneaking downstairs for whatever reason.
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    If you know that you can't resist all of it, maybe try to work it into your calories? For example, eat a small lunch of light items that are very nutritious (loads of vegetables) and one brownie or cookie or whatever, to round out your lunch.

    It would also be good to just totally NOT eat the junk. But that's only worked for me when the stuff was truly crap. I worked in an office where they brought in prepackaged cookies, cake from the worst supermarket bakery ever, and lots of chips (which I don't even like) so I just never consumed. However, the minute someone brought in melt-in-your-mouth maple bars from the 70 yr old donut shop then I was doomed ;-) If that was happening now with me counting calories, I'd probably have ONE and log it and stop there. But I won't kid myself and say "oh the carrot sticks and unsalted peanuts in my desk will keep me from bad food!" or "have a nice hot cup of tea instead of enjoying a treat now & then"...maybe for some people that would work, but for me it's not realistic.

    Again, I just take it on a case by case basis. Girl Scout cookies aren't that good to me. Boxed-mix chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles aren't that good to me. Doritos aren't that good. Auntie Anne's Pretzels smell good but don't taste that good. French macarons and boba tea ARE THAT GOOD. So are fresh scones.
  • craftywitch_63
    craftywitch_63 Posts: 829 Member
    Since I've begun logging in every bite that goes into my mouth, it's been easier to say no. Vendors bring food into us all the time. After the vendors leave, my assistant puts it somewhere so I don't have to see it, then she takes it home. If she forgets and I find it, I either share it with the floor nurses/staff or throw it away.

    If I just can't resist, I eat one, log it, face the damage. That usually stops the desire for another one (or 12! :embarassed: )

    If you can seriously just eat one or 1/2 of one and fit it in, go for it! My problem is stopping at one. Given the opportunity, I'd eat the entire batch of whatever and not remember a bite of it.
  • ErinMcMom
    ErinMcMom Posts: 228 Member
    Our kitchen is full of treats on a regular basis. Some tricks I use to avoid giving into temptation are:
    -eating lunch at my desk on Wednesdays (that's "treat day" and it's a buffet down there!)
    -sitting at a table with my back to the counter that has the treats on it so I'm not seeing them and don't want them as much
    -building the occasional treat into my food plans so I don't feel deprived of things I love

    There's nothing wrong with having a cookie, just account for it in your meal plans and enjoy it! :)
  • eldamiano
    eldamiano Posts: 2,667 Member
    I say 'no thanks'. Move on, carry on with work, repeat cycle.

    Job done. It really isnt that difficult.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    I pack my lunch.

    When I get to work I log everything I packed.

    Then I know what I'm working with [had a good idea to start with anyway) and what I can 'afford' to eat or not eat.

    "All my calories are spoken for today" usually answer the issue LOL

    I just moved to a new unit- and I explained very carefully to them that I didn't have food issues- but I was attentive to what I ate- and sometime I could afford to eat more- and sometimes I couldn't- and please don't take it personally if I don't partake. Dealing with the "taking it personally issue" is usually something that needs to be handled.
  • lesteidel
    lesteidel Posts: 229 Member
    I plan my meals out at the beginning of a day and adjust accordingly. If I can eat a treat and skip a meal and not be left hungry, I will eat it. (I eat a bunch of small meals). If I would have to cut out more than one of my meals to eat it, I would be left hungry sticking to my calorie goals and I remind myself I would rather not feel hunger than have that one sweet,
  • laurelthistle
    laurelthistle Posts: 145 Member
    I pre-log my breakfast, lunch, and dinner either the night before or that morning before I eat anything, so that I know what I'm working with calorie-wise for the day. I also know if it's going to be a workout day or a rest day, so that helps me to figure out if I can fit that super yummy chocolate chip cookie into my daily totals or not. If not, I just don't let myself eat one - it's a simple as that. I just tell myself that it doesn't fit in for the day and I don't eat it. If I can, then I just choose one and eat it s-l-o-w-l-y and totally enjoy it.
  • KayBallin
    KayBallin Posts: 111 Member
    Logging everything that goes into my mouth helps. My office is notorious at this. There are always doughnuts, pastries, cakes, chocolates, brownies, etc. floating around.

    I know if I eat it, I'll have to log it. And the extra 300-800 calories for store bought cupcakes just isn't worth it. I'm pretty snobby now when it comes to sweets. LOL.

    However, if you do decide to indulge, don't beat yourself up about it. Log it and move on. :)
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    Log everything, even a nibble. Eventually you'll find it a pain in the rear and quick the snacking. Also keep alternatives on hand.
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,341 Member
    A couple of things come to mind:

    Like others have said - log everything if you choose to partake of the goodies.

    Is there another place that the goodies can be kept? Or maybe just the ones that are terribly tempting for you? Maybe ask if they can be put in the cabinet so you don't have to see them if you go in there.

    I actually brought in a dorm fridge that I have in my office so I can keep any snacks, bottles of water, etc. in there. That way I don't have to go into the Kitchen if I don't have to.

    I remember one year when one of our vendors sent each of the directors something like 4 pounds of chocolates. There were about 5 directors in this office at that time. I remember when one of my directors (one that I'm not fond of who has since retired) came to open his box, saw that they were chocolates, and said, "I'm going to go put these in my car so they won't tempt either of us." I could have kissed him.

    I usually have a rule, like I do with my kids when they want snacks/sweets. I tell them they have to have something reasonably healthy first (preferably protein). Yogurt, string cheese, applesauce, etc. If they're still hungry, then they can have the treat.

    I usually try to have a protein/fiber bar, and wait about 5-10 minutes.

    I actually saw a nutritionist on one of the Dr. shows say to set a timer for 10 minutes and do whatever you can to occupy yourself if you're really wanting something like treats. I don't remember if it was to be a means of distraction or practicing delayed gratification or what.

    For what it's worth....
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