How to Eat Healthy in a Bakery

A bakery can mean sudden death for any diet, especially if you work in one. The mountains of cakes, cookies and croissants can break anyone’s willpower. However, there are ways around the problem and solutions that don’t involve an extra 90 minutes on the treadmill. With a little effort, eating healthy in a bakery is easy and you won’t even feel like you’re cheating yourself.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Eat before work. If you go to work with a full stomach, there will be no room for pastries. However, if you open the bakery or if you have no time to eat before your shift, it may be healthier to eat during your break.
2. Bring your own meal. Pack a bag full of your favorite foods and other healthy snacks; while at first retiring to the break room with a granola bag or a bowl of whole-grain cereal may be depressing in your sugar-coated environment, over time you won’t feel like you're missing out. And anyway, after a few weeks of breathing baked goods, they won’t seem so appetizing anyway.
3. Buy your meal elsewhere. Working in a bakery, or in any corner of the food industry, means free treats. While you may rationalize that scone in your head as a break on your bank account, good nutrition often requires a little extra money. Bad food is always cheaper, but if respecting your body means walking to the closest health store on your break, so be it. You’ll feel better in the long run.
4. Research the nutritional facts. Some days, you may not be able to avoid eating a baked good. By researching the pastries you sell, however, you’ll be able to select the best of the worst. You never know, maybe some of the bagels are whole-grain or maybe the pecan rolls are high in protein and low in saturated fat. Not every pastry means instant death, but look before you eat.
5. Eat in moderation. Whether you eat from your bag or from the bakery shelves, a meal does not mean a feast. Bad foods can be okay in moderation, and good foods can be horrible in excess. Consider splitting that cinnamon bun with a co-worker or take half of your sandwich home with you.
6. Reward yourself. Regardless of how you achieve healthy eating, your stomach and your mind deserve a treat once in a while. In fact, most diets fail because they are too strict. Pick a day and spoil yourself; you’ll stay dedicated, motivated and happier longer.

Tips & Warnings

• Convince your co-workers to eat healthy too. Group support is some of the best motivation out there.
• Don't guilt yourself. If you mess up one day or have a bad week, beating yourself up will only discourage you. Forgive yourself, move on and stay dedicated.