Cakes and Treats at Work

[WhatTheFlipToDo]

I have worked at my current work place for about a year. I have been consistently a size 12 in clothes for two decades yet I have put on over a stone in that time and size 14 clothes are getting tight. The only variable between this job and my last one is a permanently well stocked table of ‘treats’. So, biscuits, those little M&S tubs of cake bites, donuts, Rocky bars. You name it.

It is a job where you end up incredibly tired sometimes and I have little will power around chocolate at the best of times but when I'm tired it’s a million times worse. Essentially, I eat far more sweet things now due to this bloody table of junk food. Obviously, as I eat things I replace them but then I just eat them again. I don’t know what to do. I’d like to ask the team to save treats for an actual occasional treat but, simultaneously, if I’m the only one who has no will power, is it fair to request they adapt their behaviour for me?

I feel the views in this article sum up my own well. https://amp.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/17/people-should-not-take-cakes-in-to-the-office-suggests-food-watchdog-chief

Am I being unreasonable to want the team to cut back on the treats so I don’t get even fatter or is this my problem to manage? Genuinely contemplating leaving as I just will not be able to manage my weight without a change in workplace culture.

Diet and lifestyle choices does not equal “willpower”.
There are many factors influencing people’s ability to not eat UPFs - one of which is them being available in abundance and not even being able to get away from them when you’re sat at work.
I don’t think OP will get far trying to ban them but I also don’t think it’s as simple as her then just trying harder to say no either.

I’m exactly the same and of course it’s ‘your fault’ but I still think it’s a bad habit to be encouraged at the office and I would personally raise it. At our studio we have “biscuit Wednesdays” and the rest of the time only fruit is out as nibbles. It is much easier to regulate and say no to one day or just indulge once per week. It seems that perhaps your colleagues are buying these (our office provide our snacks) we did this by popular demand so it was suggested and we thought it was good to actively encourage healthy snacking with an occasional small treat. In the same vein we provide beers on a Thursday during the staff presentations/creative shares and started to provide lots of non alcoholic options as well.

Would a salt&vinegar crisp do?

I can understand your perspectives and jm no saint, free range on the food buffet then it's mmmmmmm.

That said for me I only eat what I prefer, and like, and if it's also $$, the cheap cakes I can buy myself.

Does anyone remember a thread where an OP was complaining about a CF colleague who took all the snacks and never bought any themselves? I think the recommendation was to just get rid of the snack table altogether. I can’t find it now 😕. Perhaps the OP could try taking all the snacks (light hearted)?

Of course it is.
You don’t have to eat anything if you don’t want to, choice and willpower and the controlling factors of your diet and lifestyle.

Much judgement here about people “with no willpower”. Have a listen to Ultra Processed People by Dr van Tuleken. Then see if you think willpower has anything whatsoever to do with how much or little you eat.
Hint: no it doesn’t

I'm aware of that book and Dr van Tuleken. I still think it's all to do with willpower. We all have a choice what we put in our mouths, and in our bodies.

There are all kinds of problems with UPF but let's not pretend that we're not responsible for what we choose to eat. I have an insanely sweet tooth and love this type of junk food - if I eat it, it's a choice. At varying times in my life I do better at reducing/avoiding it - and when I don't do so well, it's because I've made a (poor) choice to eat it.

Availability of junk food may make it harder - but again, it's about willpower. You have a choice. Up to you how you exercise it. Insisting that food is removed from the environment because you've arrived and deigned it's unacceptable is a very entitled perspective.

If you can't refrain, try hypnotherapy. It's very good at helping with issues over impulse, addiction and lack of control.

There are lots of nice things everywhere that aren't necessary.

Why does everything have to be 'necessary'?

Having treats available all day everyday does sound excessive and I think I would struggle to ignore them! Maybe on a Friday or for birthdays would be more normal. Having said that I don't think you will change the way things work here if this is what they are used to. Maybe you can add some fruit or low calorie treats as your contribution?

Fill right up on a healthy breakfast and lunch, large salad, lots of variety and eat some fruit too. Drink lots of water and avoid the food area completely.

It’s very difficult. I could slide into compulsive mode on the crunch of one Pringle at Christmas. I know mid afternoon is my weakest time so try to fill up on the right stuff to cope better.

I get what you mean, my workplace do similar and I'm constantly tired from my toddler who sleeps terribly at night, so the treats are even more tempting. I've learnt to tell myself I'll feel guilty later. It usually works but having it there isn't helpful when dieting. Yabu to expect them to get rid of it though, it's something you need to work on within yourself rather than making others miss out

@WhatTheFlipToDo I find the 16:8 diet really helpful. Just eat whatever I want, but nothing after 8pm or before noon.
Doesn't suit everyone, but try it for a day on a weekend - it may help you ignore the treats in the morning at least. Good luck.

It's one thing that I thank covid for. Pre covid my office work place - each birthday, holiday or leaving people brought in treats.

Now post covid - we are now hot dealing and people just don't do it anymore. It's my birthday today, I was wfh and won't be bring in treats.

So I get it - if it's there I eat it - if it's not there I don't.

Why don’t you just bring in your own fruit/healthy snack etc to keep on your desk? Or put on the Sharing table?

or can you even just ask to move it to some place else as you can’t resist the temptation. I have to keep my department snacks on someone else’s room as they have more willpower than me….

My workplace has a lot of snacks, available, free! All the time. They are mainly ‘naughty’ but have other stuff too I.e fruit. I sympathise but on the other hand you are a grown adult and should be able to bring in alternatives yourself if you find stuff too tempting and are packing on the pounds (I say this as someone who has gained 2 stone in 2 years by wfh a lot and basically being a lazy bones, not because of the sweet treats in the office, I’ve now made myself walk a lot more etc and have lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks). I think you just have to accept responsibility for yourself sadly otherwise your colleagues may resent you!

Am I the only person on Mumsnet who doesn't (and has never) got an energy boost from sugar?

It doesn't matter how tired I am, sugar doesn't make me feel any less tired.

I have sugar cravings at times, it's like my body wants sugar and or biscuits etc

Why not replace the cakes you eat with fruit, maybe suggest a mixture so there is more balance.

Gosh, is this a thing in offices? I work in a professional technical job and it's never been a thing. But then, most of my colleagues are into sport and fitness.

I don't think it's appropriate to he honest and would explain why so many adults are overweight.

Who is buying this stuff - is it your employer, clients or colleagues?

Is that why nurses and social workers are generally overweight?

Yes

Omg the number is of people on here saying the problem is all on you and your lack of willpower 😬. All this shit food is designed by big corporations for you to be unable to stop eating it - read Ultra Processed People. It’s not unreasonable at all to speak with your manager/HR/OD to discuss having a healthy workplace and ask as part of this for cakes etc to be brought in as occasional treats for birthdays etc. I’m with you in this!

Oh give over. Whatever they are “designed” for 🙄 you still have willpower and personal responsibility.

Stop looking for excuses.