Feb 03 2009
Snacking at Work
Following on from yesterday’s post about maintaining weight-loss at work, I thought I’d talk about snacking at work today.
Just as at home, people snack at work for a number of reasons - they might be bored, they may be stressed or just tempted by the treats that co-workers bring in.
Once again, preparation is key to overcoming the snacking demons that can thwart your dieting efforts!
If you know you like to snack throughout the day, make sure to take healthy, filling treats with you for you to enjoy. Low-fat or fat-free yoghurts are great for those with a sweet tooth. Chopped carrots or apples have a very satisfying crunch to them.
There are a huge selection of healthy treats available in the supermarkets and grocery stores to choose from, so dieting doesn’t need to be boring or a chore.
Remember, though, to check the calories and saturated fat content of whatever nibbles you decide to purchase, if you opt for something other than fresh fruit or vegetables. While they may be touted as “low-fat” or “fat-free”, some snacks may be loaded with sugar and calories and so undo your good work!
Sensible snacking can help you to meet your weight loss goals.
Congrats on doing well with your weight loss! I agree that preparation is the best way to avoid bad snacking habits - and especially agree about being careful about ‘diet foods’. One of the latest trends that really bugs me is the new “100-calorie packs” of snacks like cookies and chips. It’s easy to pat yourself on the back for eating “only” 100 calories without realizing that they were 100 totally empty calories! If I’m going to waste 100 calories, it’ll be on something like a small handful of nuts - protein power and necessary fats!
I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of the “100-calorie packs” either. For me, though, it’s mainly because they almost seem to drive home just how very little you can have of something you enjoy while you’re on a diet!
There never seems to be quite enough in them to satisfy any sweet craving, instead leaving me wanting even more!
I do agree that a handful of nuts would be a much better choice - or even some dried fruit. Obviously dried fruit also contains a lot of sugar so it’s still important not to eat too much, but it can satisfy a sweet craving very quickly and even count towards your intake of fruit and veg.
It’s great to see that you’re making such good food choices.