Overwork leads to overeating, but it doesn't have to

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jul 18th 2006 @ 10:04AM

When we're busy, it can be hard to pull ourselves away from work. Some days it seems to just pile up much faster than we can possibly deal with it. Eating at your desk or in the car can seem like a good way to save a few minutes, but new studies show that working long hours has a negative impact on women's health - especially when it comes to food. And while overworking has an impact on men, it is a greater one on women. Women who work extremely long hours are likely to overeat, craving fatty, sugary, unhealthy snacks more often than any other group, and even stressful events (giving presentations, etc.) can trigger a craving.

But there is an easy solution for anyone, male or female, to controlling emotional eating: think about it. Don't mindlessly reach for another candy bar, but instead take a few minutes to de-stress and evaluate whether you really should eat it.

A survival strategy? Keep a piece (or two or three) of fresh fruit on your desk at all times. That way, even if you give in to the cravings for noshing at your desk, you can polish of a handful or two of grapes before even thinking about heading for the vending machine.

While overeating is something that we can work on, being busy is sometimes a fact of life. Check out our best foods for busy women for a few ideas on how to get through a jam-packed day.

Source

Filed Under: Did you know?, Light Food, Super Size Me, Health & Medical
Tags: binge eating, busy, career, desk, did you know, eating at work, health, light food, overeating, super size me, unhealthy, women, working

Chew on This

Royal Wedding Cake Details Revealed! - YumSugar

Make Your Own Pop Tarts - CHOW
Denny's Introduces a Maple Bacon Sundae - Eater
Whole Foods Opening Bars in Stores - USA Today
Rules Of Bar Etiquette -- For The Bartender - HuffPost Food

Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-18-2006 @11:03AM Ben said... Dried fruit and nuts are even better as you can stock up on them without worrying about them spoiling.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-18-2006 @11:53AM Kate said... Good advice -- I keep a bowl of cherries and a bowl of roasted Marcona almonds on my desk. One word of advice, however. These items can add up in the calorie department. Measure out what you're willing to invest in snack calories for the day, and put this amount in your snack bowl. For me, that's one snack bowl of cherries and one ounce of almonds. When it's empty, it's empty. An entire can of almonds -- fruits or nuts of any variety actually -- while healty, are not calorie free and mindlessly up your carb count without trying overly hard. Just be aware of your calorie investment, and portion accordingly.

Equally important, keep a bottle of spa water on your desk, as well. An attractive pitcher of water with lemon, lime, apple, or cucumber slices floating in it, and perhaps a few herbs or crushed mint. An attractive glass and tray completes the picture. You'll reach for and drink an attractive glass of water throughout the day if you're actually in arm's length of it.
Reply

Vote upVote downReport

7-18-2006 @1:45PM JayBee said... The hidden danger to overeating due to overworking isn't necessarily the eating. It's more about the oversitting at your desk; overunmoving.
Reply