Opportunities for unhealthy grazing abound in most office environments. Keep your impulses in check with these tips…

1. Bring your own munchies. Keep a healthy snack in your own desk. This way, when you are in the mood for a pick-me-up you’ll have a healthier option nearby. Ration them out by serving size. Do NOT eat straight from the bag.
2. Brown bag it. Include a fruit, vegetable, lean protein and whole grain for your lunch. This will help you stay fuller longer and have more energy. Make your lunch the night before so that you have time to make sure it’s balanced (instead of out-the-door rushing).
3. Keep crave-worthy foods out of sight. Research shows that if you are able to see inside a candy dish, you’ll eat 2.2 more candies per day than if you couldn’t see it.   If you swap from a clear container to a ceramic jar, this could save you thousands of calories in a year.
4. … Keep snacks out of reach. Avoid the parts of the office (or the kitchen if you work at home) that have snacks. Some find that putting a sign on the fridge that reads “Kitchen closed” helps.
5. And, do not walk near the vending machine. Even if you only have 10 minutes, it’s a great way to help you work through a challenging work project. Did you know that creative thinking increases by 60% when you’re taking a stroll? Even if you don’t go outside, walking up and down the hallways will help.