Munch at your own risk
At this time of the year, snacking is even more fun, especially at work. Reaching out for chips, cream biscuits, cakes while working at your desk is nothing new. Most of us do that, while working on the keyboard.
However, researchers from the University of Bristol say that eating at your desk makes you far more likely to snack later in the day. Their findings show that distraction during one meal can lead to increased food intake later in the day, which could have a significant impact on obesity.
We spoke to city-based professionals if this holds true for them as well. Do they find themselves nibbling way more than it’s required?
Vatsala S. media professional shares, “Yes, I do snack a lot, more from other people’s plate. I have even found myself craving when there is nothing on any desk. It’s kind of an activity, but I like it because it gives me time to socialise and keeps the ambience less formal and friendly. Snacking also cuts down on a full plate meal, at least for me. I am very conscious about what I am eating. So, I skip lunch or dinner when I know I have munched a lot in office. It’s treating yourself like a culprit. It is a sadistic approach, but it helps.”
For some, snacking does not interfere with their regular meals, so the question of eating more does not arise. Says Khalid Nabi, advertising professional, who loves having his share of idlis and dosas, but affirms that he doesn’t snack more than it’s required. “I only eat when I am hungry. In the evenings, I have a soft drink and sandwich everyday. I don’t feel hungry later, as I have all my meals, unlike others who need to munch every couple of hours,” he adds.
If it’s on the table, there’s no escaping snacking, but if it’s in the drawer and there is lots of work it goes untouched and unnoticed, believes Upasna Lall, who works for a retail firm. “I have been having lunch in the lunch room for a while now, but earlier when I used to eat lunch at my desk I felt no difference in my attitude or appetite,” she adds.
Nutritionist Dr Krishna Sannigrahi points out, “It’s true that in today’s lifestyle the basic three factors, that are responsible for obesity are eating on your desk, eating very fast and distractions in a meal. Because all the above three factors especially eating on your desk results in a sudden fall of glucose level, a hypoglycemic condition, which gives the hypothalamus of the brain a wrong message to register that one is still not satisfied with the served food, will allow one to overeat. The brain needs about 20 minutes to get the signal that you are not hungry anymore, if you eat fast your stomach can get bloated and you will still feel hungry, the extra calories will be accumulated as fat. Eating slowly gets you satisfied with less food without feeling hungry or deprived. Pick snacks that are low in calories and fat and high in fiber. Vegetables are generally very low in calories, very high in fiber, and full of flavour and nutrition.”
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