5 practical tips to avoid overeating while working from home

Do you find yourself heeding to the siren call of the fridge more often than normal? Or perhaps your scheduled walks in the garden have transitioned to regular strolls to the pantry?

If you answered yes to both questions, then welcome fellow-snacker, please take a seat, the session’s about to begin momentarily.

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Kidding aside, with everything that’s going on in the world right now we totally understand how hard it is to maintain a healthy eating habit. Don’t get us wrong though, it’s not just about keeping our bodies in shape (although there’s nothing wrong with that too). It’s about keeping our immune systems strong and our mental health in check through taking accountability for our eating habits.

So, if you’re struggling to adjust to this new work set-up and have turned to excessive and unhealthy snacking to cope – don’t stress, we feel you! Ahead are some practical tips for kicking this unhealthy habit:

Stay hydrated

Research tells us that when dehydrated, people tend to eat more because we mistake the feeling of thirst for hunger. This is why upping your fluid intake while sitting on your work chair at home is key to avoid overeating.

We recommend setting an alarm every hour or so to remind you to get up and hydrate, alternatively here are our favourite apps that help you keep track of your hydration.

Make a schedule and stick to it

Seasoned remote workers swear by routines and for good reason; they help you streamline your day and keep you productive. Having a set schedule for not just your work hours, but your breakfast, lunch and dinner times can help you avoid mindless eating when you’re in the middle of work.

Rethink your workspace

If you’re finding that your current work zone is enabling your unhealthy eating habits, then you might want to consider moving to a different location in the house. Ideally you want a spot that isn’t right next to the kitchen (or is your kitchen) to help prevent unnecessary snacking. As the old saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.”

Check in with yourself

During stress-ridden times like this, most people turn to food for comfort. Nutritional therapist and work-from-home veteran Wilma Macdonald recommends taking personal inventory before hitting the snack cupboard.

Simply asking yourself why you need to eat a bag of chips can help determine whether you’re eating out of boredom, stress, loneliness or even annoyance.

“We eat our emotions from time to time. Feel those feelings — especially now — then have a drink of water.”

Snack purposefully

Swearing off treats altogether is unrealistic and totally not necessary. Instead of cutting yourself off from your favourite snacks entirely, learn to indulge mindfully and purposefully. 

During your grocery run, prioritise whole foods like fruits, nuts and veggies. So, when the call of the fridge is too strong to resist, it’s stocked with foods you won’t regret eating later.

Are you a chronic snacker? What are some of your practical tips? Tell us in the comments!

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