Mindlessly snacking at work? You might be stressed, says psychologist

Whether it's a morning pastry, a gooey muffin, or a bag of chips, snacking is a widespread habit in the workplace, according to psychologist Jennifer Newman.

In fact, for many people, the office is where they snack the most.

But what you eat, and how often you eat, can be indicative of negative emotions at work, including stress — and it can lead to larger health problems down the line.

Newman joined host Rick Cluff on CBC Radio One's The Early Edition to discuss how workers and employers can curb their workplace snacking habits.

Rick Cuff: Why do workers snack so much at work?

Jennifer Newman: There are a few reasons.

It can boost energy — workers reach for something to eat that keeps them alert. It can be energy bars, granola bars, or energy drinks.

Snacking is also used to handle negative emotions at work. When workers become stressed, they'll reach for a snack — usually sweet things like candy, donuts or pop. Or chips and cheesies.

Other times workers are eating to be healthy — they'll eat fruit, vegetables, nuts or cheese.

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What is it about work that makes us want to snack?

Workers choose different snacks depending on what's going on in their day. You'll see workers on a deadline eating things to boost energy. Workers doing long shifts or on overtime reach for snacks to stay alert.

Anxious, stressed or irritable workers snack frequently throughout the day — it's called emotional eating and workers will go for sweet things.

Workers whose jobs require them to act one way and feel another can get into unhealthy snacking. 

That's because if a worker has to be nice to angry customers for hours, they'll reach for comfort snacks — usually something sweet.

Workers who learn about heart health, diabetes or healthy eating are more likely to reach for healthy food. 

Or, if a co-worker has had a health scare, like a brush with cancer or heart attack, their experience may influence colleagues to try healthy eating too.

Some have adopted a healthy lifestyle overall. These folks tend to automatically reach for fruits, vegetables and nuts.

It's easier in some companies to stick to healthy snacking. Why is that?

It depends on the workplace. Workplaces have what psychologists call an "organizational eating climate."

If the eating climate is well developed, you'll see more healthy snacking. Workers see others eating healthy food, and the company values it.

What's it like if a company hasn't developed its eating climate?

Valuing healthy eating is a choice some companies make. Most unhealthy eating climates are that way because no one really focuses on it.

You'll regularly see vending machines around, cake and donuts in the lunchroom.

The company isn't making healthy eating a priority. So there's not much thought put into what's around to eat.

But isn't it up to workers to have the willpower to decide what they'll snack on at work?

Not always. The environment workers are in can make a big difference. If the company has policies around healthy eating, it will provide healthy food choices.

When someone is stressed they may reach for an apple, if it's there — it's just as easy as wolfing down a donut if it's nearby.

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How can workers convince their organizations to have a healthy eating climate?

Start a committee. Ask co-workers what they like to eat, when they eat healthy. 

Talk to the manager about bringing in healthy food. Create a pot-luck focused on healthy snacks. And offer each other healthy food.

Sometimes bring mandarins instead of donuts to work for the crew.

Look around the company — are there vending machines, do you really need them?

Employers should recognize most workers will eat what's there, so try to make it as healthy as possible. 

This interview has been edited and condensed.

With files from CBC's The Early Edition

To listen to the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Snacking at work can be a sign of stress, says workplace psychologist