Whether your primary care physician has recommended weight loss or you want to get in shape of your own accord, one of the first steps is cutting unnecessary snacks out of your diet. This can be particularly challenging at your place of work, since it’s often here that many people munch on chips and sugary treats to keep their energy up throughout the day. Fortunately, it’s possible to wean yourself off of workplace snacking by adopting a few habits.

How to Curb Your Workplace Snacking

1. Adopt Productive Habits

Snacking may be a long-established habit, so much so that you may reach for cookies or chips without even thinking about it after lunch or throughout the day. The best way to get out of this rut is to make note of when you’re most likely to have a snack and replace it with a healthier habit instead.

For example, try meditating or going for a walk if you feel tempted or take a short break to talk to a friend. Like quitting any bad habit, replacing snacking with more productive activities is often the best approach.

2. Choose Healthier Options

Even if your primary care physician recommends avoiding fatty, sugary, or salty foods, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid the occasional snack altogether. Instead, you can use this as an opportunity to make healthier foods a part of your routine instead.

Sliced vegetables, fresh fruits, dried berries and nuts, lean proteins like jerky and hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt are all excellent alternatives. Before each work day, prepare a limited number of snacks and stick to the amount you prepare. Try to space out your snacking to limit the temptation to visit the vending machine between meals.

3. Track Snacks With a Friend

If you have a friend or coworker who’s making similar efforts to quit snacking or other unhealthy habits, talk to them about partnering up. You can share your daily goals and compare successes while encouraging each other to keep up the effort. This can help you avoid feeling left out when others are eating a casual snack.

For more advice on developing healthy eating habits, turn to the team at Affinity Health Group in Monroe, LA. Since 2007, the primary care physicians at this clinic have provided top-quality health and lifestyle guidance to help patients develop the best long-term health outcomes and habits. Call (318) 807-4900 to schedule an appointment, and visit them online for more information on their services.