Snack Addiction

[XJ75]

I feel a bit of an idiot for posting this, but I'm struggling.

I'm somewhat addicted to chocolate, biscuits and crisps. I say "somewhat" because if I don't have them nearby I'm not bothered. The biggest problem is that my office has an unlimited supply of them within easy reach. On the days I'm in the office (3 days a week), I can easily get through 3 Dairy Milk bars, a packet of crisps and the equivalent of half a pack of biscuits or more.

I'm not doing it through actually being hungry, when I'm at home I have no snacks at all and it's absolutely fine.

Not only am I gaining weight and sending myself to an early grave, it's also getting me down mentally.

I tried drinking more water, but now I just drink more water and eat the same snacks.

Anyone had any success in breaking this addiction?

[FMOB]

Ask the company if their health benefit covers obesity and type 2 diabetes?

If the snacks are on show, ask them to be put in a cupboard without a sign but ultimately you need to understand why you feel the need to eat them when at work.

Are you bored or stressed when in the office but not at home? I think stress is probably part of it.

[FlabbyMidgets]

I used to be similar, if there were biscuits I would eat lots, same as other healthy snacks. Recently changed jobs and now in different environment and we have 'healthy snacks'.

It may ruffle some feathers but maybe a suggestion to management about having healthy snacks in the office instead? Things like cereal / protein bars, healthy crisps from brands you haven't heard of, bags of nuts / olives, fruit etc?

[XJ75]

There are healthy snacks too, lots of fresh fruit, nuts, protein bars, rice cakes. I just go for the unhealthy st...

I think it's unlikely that they will remove them, or even hide them, it's an office of a few hundred people or more.

I think stress is likely a factor. I also struggle from procrastination, and my main way to procrastinate is to go and get a snack...

[Bluevanman]

XJ75 said:

There are healthy snacks too, lots of fresh fruit, nuts, protein bars, rice cakes. I just go for the unhealthy st...

I think it's unlikely that they will remove them, or even hide them, it's an office of a few hundred people or more.

I think stress is likely a factor. I also struggle from procrastination, and my main way to procrastinate is to go and get a snack...

Protein bars aren't exactly healthy.They are ultra processed and usually high in sugar.
Willpower, that's what you need

[muscatdxb]

I’ve always been like this in the workplace. If I’m stressed, bored, stuck, tired I’ll go for something sweet. That can turn into 2-3x per day.

Partly for me I think it’s when I’m unhappy at work. If I’m struggling or stressed it’s a bit of an emotional reaction. If I’m enjoying my work, busy and challenged it is much better.

I’ve never managed to crack it, but mid 40s and a few health issues are knocking and I’m regretting not looking after myself.

I don’t have it, but diabetes for instance is no joke and then things like heart attacks and stroke risk. All good reasons to stop it.

I’m hoping I can finally make a change.

Edit - The only times I’ve really been in control of my sugar cravings is when I do a keto diet. I’ve had a handful of periods where I wouldn’t touch chocolate if you paid me. Drastic solution but it feels great to be controlling food rather than it controlling you.

Edited by muscatdxb on Wednesday 7th August 19:20

Edited by muscatdxb on Wednesday 7th August 19:21

[NDA]

Some people I have the greedy gene. I have it. Put a packet of biscuits or a tray of chocolates within reach and I'll have the lot - I can't stop.

However, I now shop for groceries online and don't order them anymore. It's easy not to tick the box. I have meat with salad (I've cut out rice, potatoes and white bread) and I have lost the weight I needed to lose. I drink a lot of sparkling water too - more interesting than still water.

But.... easier for me as I don't work in an office any more. The temptation is not there.

I feel your pain!!

[Wacky Racer]

I'm exactly the same, but at home.

I decided to take drastic action last month, cut out chocolate and limit myself to two biscuits a day, no if's or buts.

I've already had about six today.

Tucking into a big bowl of Raspberry Ripple ice cream as I type.



My diet starts tomorrow,

[Dan_1981]

I suffer too.

Nothing there, I'll go all day without touching a thing.

Packet of biscuits, cookies, sweets, fruit.. Anything. It's gone

[Zedboy]

Can so relate to this … eat healthy and cook fresh food daily but I’m a blooming Cookie Monster. Anyone got a will-power pill?

[272BHP]

It is easy to get into a rut with things like this.

I am afraid cold turkey (not the meat, although that might work as well) is the only way to go. Set a date and from that point no snacks at work at all - after a full work week of abstaining it will get much easier.

We are creatures of habit and habits can be changed.

[bristolbaron]

If there’s fruit, make sure you don’t have any bad snacks until you’ve had 5 pieces of fruit. By the time you’ve forced yourself to do this you probably won’t want a snack.

[BoRED S2upid]

How is there an unlimited supply? You work in a crisp and chocolate factory? They supply them free? Or you have to buy them? If the latter just don’t take any money in.

[Bluevanman]

Chewing gum can sometimes help

[croyde]

I'm like that at home. Biscuits, crisps, chocs, wine.

It'll go just like that.

Nothing in the larder then I will keep looking in hope but I get by.

I like a healthy walk of an evening but I pass Tesco's and 'treat' myself.

It's bloody annoying.

I guess for me it's boredom. Live on my own and just killing the hours till bedtime

[NDA]

BoRED S2upid said:

How is there an unlimited supply? You work in a crisp and chocolate factory? They supply them free? Or you have to buy them? If the latter just don’t take any money in.

If it was like the last office I worked in, the company went out of its way to supply free lunches, biscuits, beer, wine... anything to give them a small edge to retain young talent (a data business).

Knowing there was a never ending supply of 'stuff' was a test of will power. One I failed regularly.

[ATG]

You're not alone, OP, you are not alone.

[BoRED S2upid]

NDA said:

BoRED S2upid said:

How is there an unlimited supply? You work in a crisp and chocolate factory? They supply them free? Or you have to buy them? If the latter just don’t take any money in.

If it was like the last office I worked in, the company went out of its way to supply free lunches, biscuits, beer, wine... anything to give them a small edge to retain young talent (a data business).

Knowing there was a never ending supply of 'stuff' was a test of will power. One I failed regularly.

Awesome. Did they also have a gym?

[anyoldcardave]

XJ75 said:

There are healthy snacks too, lots of fresh fruit, nuts, protein bars, rice cakes. I just go for the unhealthy st...

I think it's unlikely that they will remove them, or even hide them, it's an office of a few hundred people or more.

I think stress is likely a factor. I also struggle from procrastination, and my main way to procrastinate is to go and get a snack...

Hit the fruit, train your mind, think 5 a day

Long trips, I always take fruit, and limit chocolate and biscuits at home.

I would be filling a bag with fruit on my way out.

That processed stuff , in that quantity, will fk you up. Its all in the mind, unless you have diabetes and do not know it.

[xx99xx]

XJ75 said:

I feel a bit of an idiot for posting this, but I'm struggling.

I'm somewhat addicted to chocolate, biscuits and crisps. I say "somewhat" because if I don't have them nearby I'm not bothered. The biggest problem is that my office has an unlimited supply of them within easy reach. On the days I'm in the office (3 days a week), I can easily get through 3 Dairy Milk bars, a packet of crisps and the equivalent of half a pack of biscuits or more.

I'm not doing it through actually being hungry, when I'm at home I have no snacks at all and it's absolutely fine.

Not only am I gaining weight and sending myself to an early grave, it's also getting me down mentally.

I tried drinking more water, but now I just drink more water and eat the same snacks.

Anyone had any success in breaking this addiction?

I have rare days like that where snacks are provided at the office. Usually I have one of something and that's it. But if it's some off site gathering with buffet lunch, I go a bit over the top. I can't resist free food/drink but snacks I can take them or leave them. I compensate by not eating anything for dinner at home that night, mostly because I'm not hungry having had so much during the day.

Can relate to the increased water intake though. Whenever I'm hungry I just guzzle loads of water and maybe have a fruit pastel, handful of nuts or something and the urge to eat more goes away.