Here's how to navigate the treats at work
It's a new day and you've come to work promising yourself that you will "be good". No treats. It's all going swimmingly until the clock strikes 10 and it's time to celebrate Mary's birthday. Everyone gathers around a spread where Nigella Lawson has a greater presence than the birthday girl. It feels rude not to have something.
Another day, another celebration and you've indulged again. Willpower is simply not enough in an environment where Thursday is acknowledged with a box of macaroons.
"Food is a symbol of our affluence," says Margaret Hays, a spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia.
"It's much more about volume than it used to be."
Kate Cody, director of program and publishing at Weight Watchers, agrees.
"There are more eating opportunities available to us than ever before and we've all embraced the culture of grabbing a large coffee on our way to work."
Considering the amount of time we spend in the workplace it is not surprising that food plays such a large role during our time there. Food breaks up the routine of work and builds rapport between people who may have little else in common.
The question is, have we gone so far with these near-daily treats that opting out can feel like a no-no or that you aren't a team player?
"It can be hard," Hays says. "You need to be firm. It's like quitting smoking - you have to stick with it."
Being aware of what you are eating is key to enjoying these occasions without necessarily overindulging.
"People tend not to count the calories of morning teas or picking at what's around," Hays says. "I call it food amnesia - mindless eating where you aren't registering what you're doing."
While flexibility is important in a healthy eating plan, losing weight comes down to the decisions you make about what and how much you eat. The good news is that your attitude to food is contagious, and therefore the food culture within groups can change.
Studies have shown support from co-workers can have a beneficial effect on our food choices. So why not help yourself and your colleagues? "If you are being challenged to eat healthier, then you will," Hays says.