Snacks are an integral part of the American culture. What would one’s day be without some food between food? Who are we without something to munch on during down times? 90% of Americans who work at an office snack at that same office. And the other 10% are embezzling – and we all know that makes you lose your appetite. Here’s a few tips to snacking during your work day.
1. Scan for free snacks: Chances are if you work in corporate America there are some snacks nearby. Scan your office for the freebies as soon as you walk in the door, before they get swiped by interns and clients! Go from floor to floor – explore your territory. Some hidden gems might be right under your nose! It is imperative that you get the free stuff to offset your snack budget.
2. Ask the assistants what’s on the schedge: Look out for those early morning meetings or clients coming in over lunch hour. Chances are the top dogs have declared food to be ordered to ease the pain of working over traditional eating times. Chances are even greater that the people working will not eat all said food because they are attempting to offset not having any time to work out by eating less. Those snacks are coming to a break room near you – get ready!
3. Know the vending machine guy’s 1st name: Do not ignore this unsung hero. Get to know him as he wheels his wares from machine to machine. Learn his schedule. Not only can you be first in line when they finally get that pasta salad back into the refridgerated machine – but you can also chat him up for other options. This man (woman) is a gate keeper to deliciousness!
4. Have a good hiding place at your desk. Sure you can bring in your own snacks, and yes that will save some money. But the problem will always remain that co-workers will expect you to share your goods with them. Like prisoners of war share what little food/water/sunshine they have – coworkers, believe that what’s yours is theirs. Know a good spot to cram those chocolate covered pretzels before they’re spotted by the people following tip #1. I have a magnetic box that I keep on the underside of my metal desk.
5. Pace yourself. Something about snacking in the work place makes everyone want to gorge themselves until their cheap office chairs drop them down a few inches. Take your time. You now have a good idea of what snacks are, and will be available to you. Make a game plan. Don’t start with all the candy from the HR department, you’ll get sick and not be able to partake of the bagels from the morning legal meeting. Grab an apple from the receptionist’s fruit basket once in a while – your gut will thank you! Also be sure to leave room for any surprises. I’ll never forgive myself for eating those half-stale pastries right before the PR girls had a pizza party when none of their diets would allow them to eat pizza.
Ok – you’re well on your way to eating through every hour of your work day! Don’t forget those pretzels under your desk – they might attract rats if left there too long.
Median Intelligence 