Overeating at the Office

Posted by Jeremy Mickey on March 19th, 2011

Mar 19, 2011 Gail Kaufman

Office Stress Can Lead to Overeating –

Whether it is a birthday celebration, bagel day on Friday, or an effort by an employee to rid their home of junk food after Halloween or Easter, dieters beware. Regardless of any personal commitment to eating healthy, all bets are off at the sight of homemade muffins and brownies at 10:00 a.m. or cake and cookies at 3:00 p.m., the tired worker’s greatest moments of weakness.

Eating Healthy at Work is a Challenge

Last month Nutrition Journal published a study conducted on poor workplace nutrition. Although the subject population of this particular study was a sample of physicians at a teaching hospital, many people work in an environment conducive to overeating. The article, entitled “Food for Thought” states “nutrition is often a casualty of the busy work day.”

Participants of the study reported lack of adequate nutrition in the workplace caused irritability, frustration, fatigue, hunger, in addition to difficulty concentrating and making decisions. Anyone, not just physicians, holding a demanding job requiring long stress-filled hours can relate. Simple carbohydrates provide a quick source of energy. At a pivotal moment, like an important meeting or approaching deadline, how quickly we forget this temporary burst of vigor fades rapidly, leaving behind long-lasting sugar cravings.

Suggestions to Eat Healthy at Work

When staff members are collaborating to bring in cake and cookies for a co-worker’s birthday, suggest chipping in for a bountiful presentation of fresh fruit instead, such as arrangements prepared by Edible Fruit. As an alternative, everyone can contribute a different fruit to form a beautiful platter. Be creative – sprinkle coconut on top; carve funny faces in apples and watermelon.

If the workplace offers cafeteria services, take the lead in recommending healthier cafeteria choices, not just for lunch, but for any catering they may provide for office functions or meetings. Draft a suggested list of healthy menu choices and encourage others to sign off on it. Unless the cafeteria is non-profit, they should be amenable to customer feedback.

Better yet, bring your own healthy food. Prepare an extra portion of dinner and refrigerate in a grab-and-go container for tomorrow’s lunch. Create a fast food breakfast and think outside the traditional breakfast. Try natural peanut butter on toast, fruit and cheese, or hummus and whole grain crackers. Bring tea bags and get in the habit of looking forward to an afternoon tea to reduce the stress and fatigue that promotes overeating.

Sleep Deprivation Can Lead to Overeating

Fatigue and stress are a healthy dieter’s nightmare and each condition feeds on the other. Make a conscious effort to get a healthy amount of sleep each night. Fatigue has been known to lead to weight gain for physiological and emotional reasons. According to a physician interviewed by Spirit of Women magazine, getting the proper amount of sleep “increases your levels of ghrelin, a hormone that helps stave off cravings for fatty, comfort foods.”

Maintain Nutrition and Fitness While You Work

In a perfect world, one would have the option to simply leave an unhealthy office environment in favor of a career conducive to healthy living. For those who do not live in that perfect world, find what works for you to integrate nutrition and fitness into corporate life. The result will be greater productivity, energy and an overall sense of personal wellness. Not only will you benefit but the company will too.

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