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.

Also, that bread near the pastries in the supermarket, that can also get in the bin bc it is barely food now it's so full of over processed crap

Op I empathize. I would struggle to resist as well. The only way I can not eat binge eat sugary treats is by going completely abstinent. I haven't had anything with added sugar in about a month or so and it's so much easier than constantly having to make decisions about what is ok to eat when.

Another thing that’s been enlightening on this thread is just how many people think it’s perfectly normal not to have chocolate /biscuits /crisps in your house because “obviously” you’d then eat them all, it’s pretty normal to have constant access to sweet/fatty foods but then not eat them. There’s always some sugary stuff at our house, I just don’t always have it.

and this is a problem, if your solution to being tempted by junk food is to just ban it from your life, then that only works as long as you can control what food is made available to you.

if you can’t control your access to junk food, you need to work on controlling your reaction to it.

We did it with cigarettes and I imagine all the same arguments were made against banning advertising, adding health warnings, plain packaging and putting them behind screens in shops, also banning smoking from indoor public places. I know second hand smoke is an extra issue but look at how the numbers of smokers have dropped since all this was done. Obesity is a national health crisis and so much could be done. Even plain packaging and not placing chocolates near the tills would be a big step.

The comparison to smoking doesn’t work - no one needs to smoke. Everyone needs to eat.

Different peoples bodies require different amounts of food, and many people can fit in chocolate and crisps and fried or high fat foods to their diet and still be healthy and not be overweight.

There is so much evidence that sugar and processed crap shouldn't even be described as 'food' so yeah I think the smoking analogy is good. It's a drug. People are addicted. Tax it, ban it, make it obvious you shouldn't be eating it or encouraging others to do the same. Bring celebratory raw vegetable treats in to work and see if people get fat on those.

I think what’s more enlightening is the number of people have chocolate/biscuits/crisps in the house and can’t live without them, regardless of how much they say they eat.

I don’t have chocolate or crisps in the house - not because I might eat them all but because I don’t eat them so there’s no point. Periodically I might buy some chocolate - but it’s as and when, which isn’t often. I have oat biscuits but more for guests.

I don’t think it’s “normal” (although common) to have or need constant access to sweet fatty foods. It has become the new normal with the rise of obesity.

My third post, because I'm failing (my fault, I'm sure!) to get my point across. Shouting 'just say no' isn't the point.

Yes, it's an individual's responsibility to regulate what they eat and say no. My point is that in the current climate (obesity crisis, recent research into the damage done by sugar and other UHP foods etc) workplaces should discourage the 'treat table'. I have no personal axe to grind here - I do say no but I've also experienced what other PPs have said about pressure from sinister 'feeder' colleagues who push, and then get offended or needle you all day when you refuse. Like another PP I've also had several 'nos' ignored and stuff plonked in front of me at my desk. Doesn't make me eat it, but it led to a grunty atmosphere in the office and my point is: why should people have to put up with this stuff? Work can be stressful enough.

Just as we have made smoking unacceptable in the workplace and wouldn't have a drinks table, I really do think workplaces should regulate and even discourage the random bringing in of so-called treats. It's a stupid expression anyway - it's not a treat if you're having it 5 times a day.

As I suggested previously: either limit the occasions dramatically (one day a week at most, and take your rubbish home with you) or put it in a cupboard.

Then no-one's rights and freedoms are being affected.

Wow, some of you people on here are vicious!
Now this reply may be way too sympathetic and reasonable for Mumsnet, but here goes.

Speak to your colleagues. Yes, speak to them! You might not be the only one who feels like this. See if you can agree to it not being a permanent fixture.
Otherwise, is this desk/table near you so you can see it? If so, see if you can move it.
I find ‘out of sight out of mind’ works well.
Again, ask for others’ thoughts on this.

I can sympathise completely, at some times of the year we have this in my office, especially before and after Christmas. And then birthdays. But we’ve all agreed we definitely don’t want it as a regular thing. In fact, there was talk of a fine for anyone who brought in (unwanted at home) treats after Christmas!

As someone else suggested, bring your own snacks and ensure you have plenty to keep you going - fruit, nuts, low calorie cake bars, rice cakes and those low fat crisp type snacks. How about adding these to the treats table too, so you have a healthier alternative?

It really doesn’t have to be ‘this is completely your problem just deal with it’ as others as saying. I find that quite sad.

Good luck and I hope you can get something sorted.

I worked in a place like this and it was incredibly easy to say no thanks

Limecheesecsje, the cigarette comparison is relevant, no-one needs to watch upf or junk food, it's just as addictive

I think it's your problem to deal with and I'm fat myself. I wouldn't ask people at work to stop bringing things in because of my lack of self control.

I have a similar set up at work, also put weight on, so now i take my own treats in there in my handbag in a plastic box with a lid, low fat low sugar or what ever suits you carrot sticks or something else you can munch on, i often do fresh fruit dipped in thin layer of yogurt and frozen. Place in box add freezer bag.

Really, you want others to stop eating sugery things just for you. Wow, your not going to be very popular. You just need to get will power and resist them. Its the same in my job, I am nirse and patients leave chocolates, cakes and biscuits for us all the time. Its up to you to resist them, nobody else. Just limit yourself to 2 very small chocs a day, and when you reach that limit stop. You cant expecet everyone else to suffer because of your poor self control.

YABVU you cant delegate personal responsibility. Bring some fruit in or other alternatives.

I completely agree. I just can’t comprehend posters that say it’s just a matter of self control and then admit they are overweight and can’t resist them. Surely you are living proof that it’s not just a simple matter of saying no. And no one is suggesting banning theses foods from the office (as they have done in schools) just don’t put them out on a sharing table in full view.

Eh? They are living proof that it's a matter of saying no.

They're just truthful enough to admit that for whatever reason, they're not saying no.

It's all about learning self-control, not trying to change the world around you because that's out of everyone's control.

Just as we have made smoking unacceptable in the workplace and wouldn't have a drinks table, I really do think workplaces should regulate and even discourage the random bringing in of so-called treats. It's a stupid expression anyway - it's not a treat if you're having it 5 times a day.

Of course it's not a treat if you're having it 5 times a day, so have it once. Or not at all. If you can't resist the lure of a donut then it's not about the food is it. People can protest all they like but you choose to put something in your mouth, and it IS about self control.

If you can't find that self control or willpower then work on yourself, be that through therapy or whatever, but don't expect other people to have to change because you can't self-regulate.

it’s pretty normal to have constant access to sweet/fatty foods but then not eat them. There’s always some sugary stuff at our house, I just don’t always have it.

Maybe normal for you but not for me.

I hate it when guests give me chocolates because I feel the pressure to eat them before they expire and are wasted.

I am now better at putting the chocolates in the food bank but it’s natural not to want to waste food and therefore avoid having it in your home.

I try to overcome my tiredness by treating myself too much, I’m the opposite though and eat more WFH than in the office as we don’t bring treats/sweets in there and I know there’s no one watching me.
lf I were you I’d do two things, firstly have something from home that comes in small pieces that is healthy and you can pop in your mouth every time you get the urge. Something like nuts, dried/fresh fruit, rice snacks, find one you can eat plenty off without the nasties. Then set a firm time mid afternoon where you allow yourself one thing when you’re feeling sluggish and need a little perk. So for me I don’t have anything sweet until my 3pm cup of tea and a biscuit/small cake. It gets me through the afternoon, I look forward to it and when there’s a set time, anything outside of that you know is OTT. Tell all your colleagues they are allowed to remind you of the 3pm rule too.

I work in an office that's always stocked with sweet stuff like this, or there's always someone who's baked a tray of brownies and brought them in etc.... I just pack my own healthy snacks so I'm not tempted and I say no thanks to any offerings. I also work in an extremely emotionally and mentally draining role. But I still say no. It's about willpower and habits, and having healthy alternative snacks with you so you're not tempted.

Maybe normal for you but not for me.

I hate it when guests give me chocolates because I feel the pressure to eat them before they expire and are wasted.

I am now better at putting the chocolates in the food bank but it’s natural not to want to waste food and therefore avoid having it in your home.
But the point is that you've taken responsibility for your own eating behaviours.You're not eating a box of chocolates and then blaming the guests for making you do it.

The assumption from some other posters seems to be that workplace snack food is awful because nobody would have snacky food available at home.
It's actually quite common to have snacks, biscuits, chocolate etc in a house.

In your situation you've found what works for you, haven't blamed other people, and haven't tried to police what others do.

*You're NOT eating a box of chocolates and then blaming the guests for making you do it.

Edit there.

Just don't eat the cakes. It's annoying when people try to force them down your gullet but it doesn't sound like that's happening here. Think of it as an exercise in mastering self control. Are you a human being with intelligence or an animal at the mercy of your instincts?

Just don't eat the cakes. It's a waste. Save your calories for personal time.

Hereto
It's all about learning self-control, not trying to change the world around you because that's out of everyone'scontrol.

I don't understand what you mean - of course it's within someone's control to regulate the bringing in of communal snacks to offices/workplaces? The management could make some rules (as I've said before) to either limit the days on which this is allowed, or have the unhealthy stuff in a specific place - a cupboard, say - out of everyone else's face.

I though that these days workplaces were supposed to support healthy life-choices?? I'm not suggesting banning this stuff, just putting it in a place where those who wish to indulge have to make a conscious effort to go and get it, and it's not in the eye-line of everyone. What's not to like?

We recognise the vulnerability of alchohol and drug addicts...why on earth is there such reluctance on this thread to make it easier for people who are trying to eat more healthily?