Are Free Snacks at Work Contributing to Your Weight Gain?

That's what some researchers are saying. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), free snacks offered to employees at their place of their work increases the risk of obesity. For the study, researchers followed more than 5,000 U.S. employees, paying close attention to the foods and beverages they consumed while on the job.

Researchers specifically focused on free foods offered to employees. It's not uncommon for employers to provide workers with free coffee, donuts, soda, tea and other snacks. After all, it's difficult to work when you're hungry, so many employers offer free snacks such as these. Unfortunately, these free snacks come at a price -- and the price is workers' health. CDC researches found that, on average, employees consumed about 1,300 calories per week from food and beverages while working. What's shocking, however, is that roughly 70% of those calories came from free snacks.

What makes free snacks so bad exactly? It's not necessarily that they are free. Rather, it's the unhealthy nature of many free snacks offered to employees. As previously mentioned, most free snacks consist of high-sugar and high-sodium foods and beverages, most of which offer little or no nutritional value. Granted, you may feel full after consuming a free snack, but it doesn't offer any real nutritional value, thereby leading to increased weight gain.

“To our knowledge, this is the first national study to look at the food people get at work," said the study's coauthor. “Our results suggest that the foods people get from work do not align well with the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans... If you look at the quality of the foods people got, it definitely did not necessarily adhere to the dietary guidelines very closely."

If you're worried about the harmful effects of free snacks at work, consider preparing and bringing your own snacks from home. A bag of homemade trail mix consisting of assorted nuts and dried fruit is a great energy-boosting snack that will help you make it through the day.

Of course, there are other steps you can take to promote a healthy weight. In addition to eating nutritious, low-calorie foods, exercising on a regular basis will keep your weight in check. The American Heart Association (AHA) currently recommends 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. By following a dieting and exercise regimen, you'll reap the benefits of a slimmer waistline and better health.