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Eating when bored/emotional
denishataylor94
Posts: 1 Member
Hey guys! I could use some help big time. I am a caregiver so after I do my set of work I'm just sitting and when I sit...the vending machines in my building call my name. I'll run through chips and danishes and cookies and before I know it I've eaten 3 to 4 snacks in one setting. It was now that I've noticed I have way more issues with it and I wanted to know what I could do to prevent eating crazily at work or just sad or stressed??
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Replies
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have no money to use the machines?0
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You can think about the money saved per week getting less of those snacks.0
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Mr_Stabbems wrote: »have no money to use the machines?
Yep, don't take money to work until you've broken the habit. That way you'll only be able eat the snacks you've planned and taken to work with you.0 -
I have the same problem. The bring no money thing does at least mean you can't buy anything, but it also means you then spend all your time being starving (that's what I found, anyway. I'd sit at my desk and wouldn't be able to do any work because all I could think about was how hungry I was). The way I deal with it is:
- Bring snacks with you. That way you can bring low calorie things. I would always buy chocolate bars from the vending machine, so I now buy lower calorie chocolate bars to eat instead. So I could eat a 250 calorie Yorkie, or I could eat a 116 calorie Kit Kat. Or a 70 calorie cereal bar or 146 calorie yogurt bar.
- Plan your day to allow for snacks. My meals aren't often all that many more calories than my snacks, which leaves lots of calories to spread throughout the day. Some days I just forego some meals entirely and only have snacks.
- Drink lots of water.0 -
Just don't buy them. You have to decide for yourself not to do it. You actually have to get up, walk to the vending machine, put the money in, choose the product, push the buttons, take the snack, open the bag, and eat the food. At some point along that track, you need to put the brakes on and stop the train. It's on you. Especially if you are doing it three or four times. It's your own self-sabotage.0
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I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!0
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DemoraFairy wrote: »- Bring snacks with you.
- Drink lots of water.
These two points are good suggestions, i've never found any magic snack that fills me up.
However IF worked for me, still works. I might get 5-10 minute hunger pangs in the morning but after that im good to go until about 1pm, its hard to over eat when you only have 8hrs window to eat in!!0 -
MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"0 -
Mr_Stabbems wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"
They're not bringing it, it's all the drug reps and such (we're a doctors office)!!! Yesterday we got bagels (which I ate a whole one, ugh.....) then I had my regular lunch, THEN right before we were done at 3:30 some guys brought everyone giant *kitten* sonic blasts!!! I effing ate half of the cookie dough one, it was delicious. A lot of times I can say no, but it's not always as easy as "have self control", lol. Especially day after day.0 -
Pffft, amateur.Mr_Stabbems wrote: »DemoraFairy wrote: »- Bring snacks with you.
- Drink lots of water.
These two points are good suggestions, i've never found any magic snack that fills me up.
However IF worked for me, still works. I might get 5-10 minute hunger pangs in the morning but after that im good to go until about 1pm, its hard to over eat when you only have 8hrs window to eat in!!0 -
Definitely second bringing snacks that are healthy with you and don't carry cash.0
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MonkeyMel21 wrote: »Mr_Stabbems wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"
They're not bringing it, it's all the drug reps and such (we're a doctors office)!!! Yesterday we got bagels (which I ate a whole one, ugh.....) then I had my regular lunch, THEN right before we were done at 3:30 some guys brought everyone giant *kitten* sonic blasts!!! I effing ate half of the cookie dough one, it was delicious. A lot of times I can say no, but it's not always as easy as "have self control", lol. Especially day after day.
Knowing that it's going to keep happening, you really have to adjust to it. Make a decision. Since you know that moderation is a choice, try that one. When we used to have donuts and things like that, sometimes we would agree to split one up between a few of us. A quarter of a donut is not very many calories. If it's an ice cream treat, take a smaller dish and scoop a half-cup or so into it (that's about a serving, typically). Find ways to fit these things into your calorie deficit for the day and you will still be losing weight (or maintaining weight, if that is what you are doing).0 -
I have this problem at work when I get super bored. I try to bring healthy snacks with me, and have a variety of things.0
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I try to bring snacks with me and always have an emergency bag of pumpkin seeds on me at all times.
I am lucky to have a cube far away from the break room and "free for all" snack table in our office where cookies tend to magically appear. I also keep myself full/satisfied all day so the call of the take out menu isn't as strong.0 -
MonkeyMel21 wrote: »Mr_Stabbems wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"
They're not bringing it, it's all the drug reps and such (we're a doctors office)!!! Yesterday we got bagels (which I ate a whole one, ugh.....) then I had my regular lunch, THEN right before we were done at 3:30 some guys brought everyone giant *kitten* sonic blasts!!! I effing ate half of the cookie dough one, it was delicious. A lot of times I can say no, but it's not always as easy as "have self control", lol. Especially day after day.
Knowing that it's going to keep happening, you really have to adjust to it. Make a decision. Since you know that moderation is a choice, try that one. When we used to have donuts and things like that, sometimes we would agree to split one up between a few of us. A quarter of a donut is not very many calories. If it's an ice cream treat, take a smaller dish and scoop a half-cup or so into it (that's about a serving, typically). Find ways to fit these things into your calorie deficit for the day and you will still be losing weight (or maintaining weight, if that is what you are doing).
I need to keep that in mind! Like I said, most of the time I can be fine and not have any at all. It can be an issue though, if I try a small amount of something and it turns out to be fantastic, I can not stop eating it. So, it's a game of chance on limiting the amount I have, vs devouring all the goodness. It's easier for me if I just say no altogether.0 -
denishataylor94 wrote: »Hey guys! I could use some help big time. I am a caregiver so after I do my set of work I'm just sitting and when I sit...the vending machines in my building call my name. I'll run through chips and danishes and cookies and before I know it I've eaten 3 to 4 snacks in one setting. It was now that I've noticed I have way more issues with it and I wanted to know what I could do to prevent eating crazily at work or just sad or stressed??
Walk away from the machine. It has no power over you.
Also, pre-log your food, take the food to work with you, and eat only that.0 -
Mr_Stabbems wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"
I know you're kidding, but the coworkers have every right to bring in the food they want. It's our responsibility to walk away.
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Also, as to those comments on "healthy snacks": there are none, it's all just food. It depends on what fits into your definition of healthy. I personally believe that a cookie at snack time can be just as healthy as an apple, especially if I need the macros of the cookie more than I do of the apple. It all depends on your goals and how you work with your calories. 0
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MonkeyMel21 wrote: »It's easier for me if I just say no altogether.
With workplace snacks it's easier for me to say no also. I tend to have a daily plan for for eating that includes some sweets in moderation or the like, and adding to that extra food just because it's easily available at my office doesn't work well for me most of the time.
What I found was just deciding that I don't snack (but for maybe a regular scheduled snack, that I bring from home) made it easier. When I don't think in terms of eating only at meals I tend to think about eating too much, despite not being hungry--is it worth it, can I fit it in? what if I just have a little bit? A few bites of this won't count. So on.
For others snacking during the day is really worthwhile and a good way to divide up their calories, but for me bigger regular meals are really preferable, I tend to prefer the ice cream or other sweet I'd planned to the stuff that just randomly appears at the office, and I found I'd eat lots of stuff I didn't really enjoy that much, just because I wanted an excuse to take a break or avoid something or just because others were eating it.
On rare occasion I'll intentionally fit something I know will be there into my plan for the day or make an exception because something truly is amazing or it's a special occasion (if people got me a surprise cake on my birthday I'd happily have some), but it's not that hard to just not snack aimlessly if you focus on breaking that habit.
As for how to do it, I found that for a short period of time having low calorie things to eat if the urge to eat hit helped (veggies), and after that all I really needed was to force myself to think about whether I was really hungry and what I'm planning to eat at my next meal and how enjoyable it will be and the like. Then if I really want to get up and get something I get coffee or water. Generally that's enough--and it gets way easier after just a couple of days or so.0 -
denishataylor94 wrote: »Hey guys! I could use some help big time. I am a caregiver so after I do my set of work I'm just sitting and when I sit...the vending machines in my building call my name. I'll run through chips and danishes and cookies and before I know it I've eaten 3 to 4 snacks in one setting. It was now that I've noticed I have way more issues with it and I wanted to know what I could do to prevent eating crazily at work or just sad or stressed??
When I'm bored, I argue with people on the Internet
Have you eaten enough fullness enhancing foods earlier in the day? This help me not get the munchies.
Tips on how to feel fuller
So how can we best try to enhance these feelings of fullness to help us control how much we eat? Here are some top tips for helping you feel fuller:- Foods high in protein seem to make us feel fuller than foods high in fat or carbohydrate, so including some protein at every meal should help keep you satisfied. Foods high in protein include meats such as chicken, ham or beef, fish, eggs, beans and pulses.
- If you are watching your weight, opt for lower fat versions, using leaner cuts of meat, cutting off visible fat and avoiding the skin on poultry as this will help reduce the energy density of the diet, which can help to enhance satiety (see below).
- Foods that are high in fibre may also enhance feelings of fullness so try to include plenty of high-fibre foods in the diet such as wholegrain bread and cereals, beans and pulses and fruit and vegetables.
- Alcohol seems to stimulate appetite in the short-term and therefore drinking alcohol is likely to encourage us to eat more. Alcoholic beverages can make you forget about your intentions to eat healthily by making you lose your inhibitions. Alcoholic drinks are also calorific, so you should cut down on alcohol consumption if you are trying to control your weight.
- The ‘energy density’ of food has a strong influence on feelings of fullness or satiety. Energy density is the amount of energy (or calories) per gram of food. Lower energy density foods provide less energy per gram of food so you can eat more of them without consuming too many calories. Low energy density foods include fruit and vegetables, foods with lots of water added when cooking such as soups and stews, and lower fat foods. Click here for more information on energy density.
Read more: http://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/fuller/understanding-satiety-feeling-full-after-a-meal.html0 -
Pffft, amateur.Mr_Stabbems wrote: »DemoraFairy wrote: »- Bring snacks with you.
- Drink lots of water.
These two points are good suggestions, i've never found any magic snack that fills me up.
However IF worked for me, still works. I might get 5-10 minute hunger pangs in the morning but after that im good to go until about 1pm, its hard to over eat when you only have 8hrs window to eat in!!
I bow down to your face-stuffing expertise
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Carrots / almonds (in small bunches) / cucumber and no cash.
done.0 -
This content has been removed.
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denishataylor94 wrote: »Hey guys! I could use some help big time. I am a caregiver so after I do my set of work I'm just sitting and when I sit...the vending machines in my building call my name. I'll run through chips and danishes and cookies and before I know it I've eaten 3 to 4 snacks in one setting. It was now that I've noticed I have way more issues with it and I wanted to know what I could do to prevent eating crazily at work or just sad or stressed??
Walk away from the machine. It has no power over you.
Also, pre-log your food, take the food to work with you, and eat only that.
Another vote for pre-log. Last night I logged everything I planned on eating at work today. I weighed/prepared and brought in that food, and only that food. Works.0 -
Also, as to those comments on "healthy snacks": there are none, it's all just food. It depends on what fits into your definition of healthy. I personally believe that a cookie at snack time can be just as healthy as an apple, especially if I need the macros of the cookie more than I do of the apple. It all depends on your goals and how you work with your calories.
While I'm a fan of moderation, I do think there is a spectrum regarding healthy food. Is it black and white? Maybe not. But certainly there is a spectrum of how healthy two food items can compare. An apple provides more nutrients and satiety than a cookie. That's not to say that you shouldn't have a cookie if you want it, and if It Fits. But yes, some food items are on the healthier side of the spectrum than others.0 -
MonkeyMel21 wrote: »Mr_Stabbems wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »I bring my own low calorie/healthy snacks so I'm not tempted with the daily starbucks/donuts/cookies/chocolate caramels/pies/chic fil a/etc that get brought in to our office. It's a daily struggle. Drinking lots of water and tea helps too!!!
throw granola bars at your co-workers.
"BAD colleages, BAD"
They're not bringing it, it's all the drug reps and such (we're a doctors office)!!! Yesterday we got bagels (which I ate a whole one, ugh.....) then I had my regular lunch, THEN right before we were done at 3:30 some guys brought everyone giant *kitten* sonic blasts!!! I effing ate half of the cookie dough one, it was delicious. A lot of times I can say no, but it's not always as easy as "have self control", lol. Especially day after day.
The reps are the worst! They always bring pizza, cookies +/- catering from a local place and we have to sit through their pitch as a form of CE and so we're knowledgable about the new meds when asked. I usually take a slice of plain pizza, sometimes salad pizza because we have a lot of vegans/vegetarians. I won't ever take pepperoni partially because I don't like it and partially because of the calories. Then I just save my lunch and eat it for dinner.0 -
denishataylor94 wrote: »Hey guys! I could use some help big time. I am a caregiver so after I do my set of work I'm just sitting and when I sit...the vending machines in my building call my name. I'll run through chips and danishes and cookies and before I know it I've eaten 3 to 4 snacks in one setting. It was now that I've noticed I have way more issues with it and I wanted to know what I could do to prevent eating crazily at work or just sad or stressed??
Walk away from the machine. It has no power over you.
Also, pre-log your food, take the food to work with you, and eat only that.
This^^^ Its really helping me control the food I eat.
I sit 10 feet away from the department "snack shop". Chips, cookies, candy that we sell to other departments and the money we make off of it go towards a nice Christmas lunch for the department. I used to get something from there 2-3 times a day, easily an extra 700 cals a day (a pound a week). I started pre-logging, prepping all my meals for the week, and bringing my snacks. It helps me control everything, which is what I need right now as I start this process.0 -
Also, as to those comments on "healthy snacks": there are none, it's all just food. It depends on what fits into your definition of healthy. I personally believe that a cookie at snack time can be just as healthy as an apple, especially if I need the macros of the cookie more than I do of the apple. It all depends on your goals and how you work with your calories.
While I'm a fan of moderation, I do think there is a spectrum regarding healthy food. Is it black and white? Maybe not. But certainly there is a spectrum of how healthy two food items can compare. An apple provides more nutrients and satiety than a cookie. That's not to say that you shouldn't have a cookie if you want it, and if It Fits. But yes, some food items are on the healthier side of the spectrum than others.
I rarely feel full after eating an apple, but a cookie can do it for me pretty quickly.
Really, there is no healthy or unhealthy food, it's all just food: it's more about what we see as healthy or unhealthy within our own perceptions. I spent YEARS demonizing food, which is what categorizing is really about, and my weight yoyoed liked crazy. I allow all foods I love into my diet, and sometimes I want the apple and not the cookie, but other times it's the opposite. I've lost 44 pounds and have been maintainig for a year and a half all because I decided to stop compartmentalizing food.0 -
Also, everyone who is advocating for not bringing cash - this is the 21st century after all; and most vending machines these days take debit cards.0
This discussion has been closed.
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