How to avoid eating when you stay at home

[Laura]

I know that a lot you are stay at home moms. I work part-time and now "telecommute" so my office is my home. I have never done this before and I find myself wanting to eat all the time. Whenever I got hungry at my office before, I could possilbly sneak some of my lunch but then I knew my lunch would be smaller. Yes it may be that I am struggling with work, but I wonder if any of you who stay at home have had this problem and what are your solutions.

[Ruthie]

Laura - I'm right there with you! I moved to a new city 1.5 years ago and started my own small business. To keep overhead low, I am working out of a home office. Business has been rapidly expanding - but unfortunately, so did my dress size! When I was working in an office, I found I was far more disciplined and ate more regularly. Now when I'm swamped, as I often am, I tend to "nosh" and "nibble" rather than eating actual meals. The calories add up. My latest solution has been (on days when I have no breakfast or lunch meetings) to do coffee or tea and oatmeal first thing in the a.m., then to do a yummy "brunch" at around 11:30 a.m. (If I've cooked previously, it's leftovers, but often I'll do a food I really love - like a veggie egg white omelet with salsa or a big salad. Then I'll do a small afternoon snack if I'm hungry (we eat dinner around 6:30 or 7) I try to limit myself to water and hot tea throughout the day and stay away from the fridge. I also keep cut up celery and carrotts in the fridge. Hope this helps! Good luck! Another tip - working "virtual office" can be isolating. I found I was turning to food for "companionship." No matter how busy I am, I try to schedule at least one or two "networking" or "social" meals out per week during my work week! On those days, lunch is generally my main meal of the day.

[andi]

This has always been an issue for me too. It's especially hard when I have my little ones around wanting to eat snacks too. I've found bulking up on fiber and protein (and water!!!) really decreases my need for munchies-I think it keeps those blood sugars regulated as well. My favorite lunches (when I have time) is a lentil and brown rice dish and the spinach and cavatappi from an earlier CL issue. I know I can look forward to those types of meals and they get me through until dinner.

[Laura]

Thanks for the tips, I know water is key and now that I have unpacked my Brita pitcher and filter that is easier. I also know that certain things just don't fill me up in the morning and leave me hungry for more. I know it is actually healtier to eat 5-6 smaller meals a day. I just can't make that mid morning snack left over mashed potatoes like I did today http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/redface.gif (Actually I just need to stop making them, they are my true comfort food!) I appreciate the tips.

[lindrusso]

I was going to say that keeping busy keeps me from eating so much during the day, but I guess you NEED to be home more if you are working at home.

One thing that works for me is if I have yummy leftovers to eat - usually a Cooking Light meal. I try to make more than what I think we'll eat in one meal and stretch it to at least 4 servings so that I will have something to look forward to the next day. If I know something yummy is waiting for me in the fridge, then I won't go for that quick, and usually unhealthy fix. If I'm full and satisfied from lunch, I'm much less likely to snack or eat "bad" foods.

I also like to keep things on hand that I love like bagels - they make a good quick lunch if there aren't any leftovers.

I think I may eat more now that I stay-at-home, but I used to work at a mall and was surrounded by chocolate, cookies, pizza, etc. - danger, danger everywhere and I was skinny then - go figure!

[andreajackson]

This is one of the hardest things for me because I get bored if I'm not doing anything therefore I eat. This tends to happen a lot. So I try to keep myself busy while at home and this helps to take my mind off being bored and then heading to the frig.