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!
Main image: Pinterest
9 Member Comments
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Having and keeping to a schedule has really helped. I cannot believe that in one more month it will have been a year since I started working from home, since then I have worked in the office for only one half day... scary
It is so much easier to keep to a routine when in an office.
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Evenings are my snack time, I am going to try increasing my water to try and combat this, and maybe just have healthy snacks rather than chocolate and biscuits
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I do not snack. I eat or I do not eat. And when I eat, it is great stuff. Always.
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I have found it a bit of a challenge. So your tips loook good. Those lemon energy bites look yummy.
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I don’t like snacking when I’m busy or studying but when i want to procrastinate i go on a binge which sucks! I like cutting up fruits or making popcorn at home so its a little healthier than microwave popcorn
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This is so useful right now hahah I just wish I could stick to it!
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I found I stuck to the work routine so I had usual MT, Lunch and AT breaks whick stopped me thinking of food plus I set targets for getting work done so I forgot to be hungry
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