Candy News Posted by: The Candy Buffet Company on Sun, Apr 27th, 2014 | Source: News.com.au
MICHELLE was a slim size 10 when she started working as an executive assistant at a large law firm. She had just finished university, went to the gym for at least an hour each day and was always too busy to eat, reports Body + Soul.
The new job was fabulous; her boss took her to work lunches, the other assistants were always inviting her to morning tea, and Friday-night work drinks were fantastic.
After three months at the new job, Michelle noticed she had gained five kilograms.
What had happened? As most of us spend more than eight hours a day at our workplace, it has a strong influence on the way we eat.
The office lolly jar, celebratory morning teas, the vending machine and an ever-increasing number of food outlets selling delicious lunch treats are just some of the temptations we are exposed to during the working day.
When this extra eating is combined with sedentary office jobs and long commutes, slow, inconspicuous weight gain is often the result.
Food behaviourist Dr Brian Wansink has shown in food environment research that, basically, if food is there we will eat it.
One study found that individuals who could see M & M’s on their desk through a glass jar ate double the number of M & M’s than colleagues who had the chocolates under the desk.
So, if you think you can have a lolly jar staring you in the face each day and you will not be tempted, think again.
No-one is expecting you to be a purist, but it is helpful to understand the most common food traps at work and think about ways to manage them.
Keeping sweet treats out of sight is a good starting point; pack biscuits in cupboards and fundraising chocolates under the desk.
Allocate set times for morning and afternoon tea, and try not to eat in between times.
Keep a supply of filling snacks, such as nut- and grain-based snack bars, cheese and crackers, and hot chocolate drink mixes handy, so when you are hungry you have something decent to grab.
Find a balance
Does there seem to be a cake every second day for someone’s birthday or new baby?
Suggest changing the system: try allocating one day a month for all celebrations.
Or when sweet, high-kilojoule treats are offered around, enjoy a few bites and throw the rest away. (Remember, the most pleasure comes from the first couple of mouthfuls).
The global recession may have slashed the entertaining funds of many large firms, but the work lunch remains a risky situation.
Lunches eaten out tend to double the number of kilojoules, as foods are heavier and often accompanied by extra sides and drinks. If you find yourself eating out more than once a week, be strict and stick to light salads, soups and grills. Always order extra vegetables or salad, and have a light meal that evening in an attempt to compensate for the extra kilojoules consumed that day.
Being strict with your food intake at work may seem pedantic, but the reality is that we spend up to a third of our lives in the workplace, and bad health and fitness habits at work tend to translate into serious weight gain if we are not careful.
Workplace kilojoules
2 plain sweet biscuits …………………… 350kJ
1 slice banana bread ……………………. 1000kJ
Large skim caramel latte ………………. 1000kJ
Slice of chocolate cake ………………… 1500kJ
Cafe-style muffin …………………………. 1300kJ
200g pack of fundraising chocolates … 4000kJ
2 slices garlic bread …………………….. 500kJ
10 lollies …………………………………… 450kJ
Thai rice and meat dish ………………… 1600kJ
Takeaway pasta with pesto ……………. 3400kJ