So I'm working later than usual today and I forgot the important half of my afternoon snack. It was one of the usuals an apple (the part I forgot) with a splenda sweetened fat free cream cheese dip. So I figure I have a few options.

1. If I'm so hungry I can't stand it eat the cream cheese dip like you would yogurt...that sounds kinda gross though.
2. Suck it up and take a lower cal day (I cheated a little yesterday and today is an exercise rest day).
3. Have a cup of coffee w/ some sf creamer (although caffine in the afternoon makes me jittery)
4. Add the missed cals to dinner probably in the form of a salad with some avocado
5. (not really an option but had to throw it out there) we have a candy jar full of mini candy bars in the office so figure out how many candy bars replace the fruit/cream cheese and eat the equivalent amount.

What would you choose. I'm leaning towards option 2 or 4.

I would do 1 and 4. No harm in eating the fat free dip, and it will help you feel better. And I would add a few calories to your dinner too--only not avocado.

No way would I go for 5.

Jay

Depends if I was really hungry or not.

If I got to snack time and my body was saying "feed me", I'd probably eat the dip. I might also run out to a convenience store to get an apple to dip in the dip, if there was anything nearby.

If I wasn't too hungry when the time came, I'd probably just skip it, and adjust dinner cals based on my hunger level.

And then I'd make a list of emergency snacks to keep in my desk drawer or purse, so that I wouldn't run into this situation again.

can you ask around your office to see who might have an apple they don't want today? I almost always have a piece or two of fruit that I don't necessarily plan to eat but keep as a back up in case I get hungry and want a snack. I'd be more than happy to share with a hungry coworker!!

otherwise, I'd go with 2 or 4 myself.

Well, if you're not hungry, don't eat.
Do you have any sugar free mints or gum?

My afternoon "snack" is coffee

You remind me of my wife - women and cream cheese seem to go hand in hand. Although I will never forget the first time I tasted a slice of pumpkin cheesecake from the Olive Garden, yummmm.

Personally, I would go with option 4, but only because I'm not a fan of cream cheese by itself. If you like it, go for it. But I'd stay away from the mini-sized chocolate bars. I can never eat just one of them, heh.

I'm with Mandalinn - don't eat if you're not hungry, and immediately sort out some kind of "snack" drawer or something for your office, so that you're not stuck in this situation again. Get some mini tupperware containers and fill them with raisins, or almonds (small portions!) or stock up on dried fruit, so you always have an emergency stash.

I think that's one of the most important parts of learning to eat well - being prepared. There was an awesome post recently by someone who used to be a heavy smoker, discussing how smoking was so important to her (I think it was a woman) that she never, ever, ran out of cigarettes. She was always prepared for any situation in which she might want a smoke. And now she has the same commitment to healthy eating, so she is always prepared for any situation in which she needs to eat (snacks in her purse, car, office, healthy options everywhere). I'm aiming to be this prepared so I don't get hungry or rely on snacks I don't want.

I would do 1 or 4(but add extra protein instead)

I ended up adding a salad to dinner (no avocado) and having one of my higher cal evening snacks and came out under for the day. It wasn't too bad, I wasn't really hungry, it was more of a mental battle just knowing I didn't have a snack and what IF I got hungry. I love all the suggestions for having back up snacks at the office. I thought I had some luna bars in my drawer but I think I threw them out a while back because I didn't want the temptation to binge on them, but something less of a trigger like dried fruit or something would be a great back up for me. It was a good lesson

I always keep a bag of almonds(7 is the perfect snack for me) and individually wrapped prunes in my desk. I also keep hard-boiled eggs and string cheese in the office fridge for my snacks. I agree--always be prepared. I also keep 100 calorie snack bags of almonds and small boxes of raisins (in a ziplock) in my purse. I don't have any trouble avoiding convenience store or vending machine junk--I'm too cheap!

BTW, I think you made the right choice!