New report looks at the impact free food at work has on weight

CLEVELAND (WKRC) - A new report on eating at work says free food can really be a hidden health hazard, but there are ways to enjoy the parties without packing on the pounds.

It's hard to avoid the special snacks people bring in to work. Often they are a way to celebrate and share in something really good happening at work. It's such a kind gesture when someone at work brings in free breakfast food for the meeting or to celebrate a birthday, but a new report from nutrition specialists at the Cleveland Clinic says all those office treats are seriously expanding our waistlines.

A study on office eating was recently presented to the American Society for Nutrition. Researchers discovered people at work get an extra 1,322 calories a week, on average. Much of that appears to be from food that is less than ideal for maintaining a healthy diet and a healthy weight.

The study examined surveys of more than 5,000 working adults. It shows one in four of us get food at work -- most of it for free, which makes it hard to resist. In fact, researchers said free food accounts for more than 70 percent of all extra calories acquired at work.

As for how to deal with it, bring a healthy snack to an office event. If you want some of the other food choices, just be aware of what you're eating from the office snacks and reduce calories somewhere later in the day, if you can.

There's some thought, however, that you only have so much willpower, so you may be better off having a little bit rather than trying to avoid it and eating too much later.