How to Avoid Packing on Pounds at Work
By Sandy Schroeder
Many of us deal with nonstop food temptations on the job every day. Someone brings in a box of donuts. Another cake turns up to celebrate a birthday. And then someone suggests going out for pizza after work. If you are counting calories, you may have just blown your calorie budget for the whole week in one day!
Newsmax spotlighted the problem recently. They said a new federal government survey reported a quarter of all Americans encounter 1,300 extra calories at work every week. Seventy percent of these calories were “free” to the employee. Obviously, the trail of calories consumed may not have been so much of a gift.
Here are some of the free gifts.
- Cookies
- Pizza
- Salads
- Brownies
- French fries
- Water
- Diet soft drinks
- Coffee
- Sugared sodas
- Teas
- Sandwiches
When the researchers looked at the foods by calories, pizza was the leading source of calories eaten at work, followed by sandwiches and soft drinks.
How to Dodge the Extra Calories
If you have a plan you can minimize the impact.
Bring Your Own
It’s easier to bow out of pizza if you already have a huge salad brimming with avocado, shrimp and leafy greens that you brought from home.
Keep Fallbacks in Your Drawer
Those cakes, cookies and donuts won’t seem to tempting if you have a ready supply of your favorite teas or nuts in your desk drawer.
Pack Fruit Everywhere
The slimmest people I know always seem to have an apple in their hand. Keep some apples, oranges or nectarines with you and share them with the office. Promoting healthy eating is always a good idea.
Have Your Holiday Guard Up
As we roll ahead with the holidays, watch out for extra supplies of sweets, tamales and homemade backed goods. Invent tasks that take you out for lunch or away from the afternoon feasts.
Add Exercise to the Mix
As holiday treats multiply, consider adding a short walk to your morning or afternoon break to get away from the treat parade. Or consider starting a lunchtime exercise group.
Promote Healthy Foods
Do the homework to find out what healthy food sources are available near your work. The more healthy salad, snack and fresh fruit choices you can find, the better. Once a week you might help to create a salad buffet with fresh fruit for dessert. If everyone brings a salad instead of wings or pizza, you might have a winner on your hands. Enjoy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Zionsville, Ind.