A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Deskjob munchy ideas - Fatty

Posted: Jan 30, 2012

Hey fellow MTs, I don't know about any of you, but I constantly desire munchies or something of the like at my desk while I'm working. As my waistline has been increasing steadily over the past few years, I was wondering if any of you have any healthy or even somewhat healthy munchy ideas. So far I've gone from M&Ms and Hershey Kisses to peanuts and raisins, but...yeah...I wouldn't mind some other ideas. Thanks all!

gum or mints - Happy MT Robin

[ In Reply To ..]
Really, though, what I would strongly recommend is to work through the compulsion and get out of the habit. What you're doing by eating where you work is reinforcing in your mind that when you're working, you should be eating as well.

It's hard, I know very well as I fight against the same thing. I have to make a very concerted effort to not eat anything at my desk. When I do get into that habit again, my productivity goes down and my waistline goes up.

I keep a laptop hooked up separately from my work computer and even try to do my surfing on that so I don't get in to the habit of doing it on the work computer. That's not working so well tonight, though.

If you must have something to nosh on while at your desk, stick to gum or mints that wont' be adding calories to your diet.

I just finished some grapes - mmmt

[ In Reply To ..]
Fruit is good. Raw veggies are good to. Not as good as chocolate but less calories. LOL

I like frozen grapes - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

I love frozen grapes! Seems to make them sweeter. - Olive

[ In Reply To ..]
n

ideas - Ayn

[ In Reply To ..]
Drink lots of water.

Berries, mixed nuts, turkey jerky, cheese (cubes or string), raw veggies.

Instead of having something sitting there constantly, try scheduling snacks. Only get a snack when you take a break and get up from your desk. (Bring it back to your desk if you want/need, but physically get up to get it, and once it's finished, don't "reload" until your next break...)

Two ideas - read this

[ In Reply To ..]
Lately I've switched my morning meal to high-fiber cereal, but instead of adding skim milk, I've been keeping the cereal dry and the milk in a glass (sometimes don't even use the milk but drink water). This turns breakfast into more of a snack time experience while at my desk, and the cereal when it's dry actually takes quite a while to eat. And there are some really good high-fiber cereals out there that don't taste like cardboard. I like the Fiber One Caramel Delight... it kinda reminds me of my fav. Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Only downfall... and I know I'm bordering on TMI here... unless you're home alone during the day, pick up some Beano or Gas X.

The other thing that I've been snacking on are Special K Snack Chips. They're not the greatest thing (I LOVE chips, and "real" potato chips they are NOT), but they're better than nothing, and you get a decent size portion for the calories. The downfall to this is that they're kinda expensive, so if you like them, keep your eyes peeled for when they're on sale and stock up.

If you're looking for nutrition rather than low calorie, the nuts and dried fruit/raisins are a good option, but they can be very high in calories, so be careful if you're trying to lose weight.

Hope this helps... dieting stinks :/

Celery stuffed with whipped or - reduced fat cream cheese spreads

[ In Reply To ..]
or Price's Lite pimento cheese spread, reduced fat peanut butter (1 tbsp, not 2), egg salad, tuna made with sparing amounts of RF mayo, or hummus prinkled with paprika and toasted nut pieces. A good substitute for mayo is pureed avocado...a tasty healthy superfood good fat source when used in controlled amounts, 2-3 tbsp.

One snack I find that really cuts appetite and takes a while to eat (lots of chewing) is raw cauliflower and radish wedges, both healthy and very low in calories. I use Kraft's horseradish sauce with that sometimes (about 1/2 tbsp) which makes it taste really good. If I have fresh herbs around (parsley, cilantro or basil), I eat those on the side (except with the peanut butter!) because I find they too help curb appetite. Those also taste good with a 1-ounce chunk of feta cheese.

Drink plenty of water each time you snack...and I agree with the idea of sticking to a scheduled snack halfway between your meal times. I also use small servings of nuts as a protein source (not to mention the benefit of "healthy fat") which I believe has helped curb my appetite. Try your best to eat fresh whenever possible and cut out foods with preservatives or ones that have had their nutrients processed to death.

I had to modify my eating patterns recently after being diagnosed with impaired glucose (pre-diabetes), eating smaller meals and incorporating scheduled snacks to help modify glucose spikes. I've been doing that, being sure to balance each meal with high fiber complex carbs (usually whole grains, vegetables or fruit), a modest amount of protein, and fat content kept at 30% or less of daily intake. An example of that would be toasted sandwich thins, 2 tbsp of whipped cream cheese sprinkled with a pungent spice of your choice for flavor (I use sumac or Zataar) or chopped marinated veggies, sprinkled with about 6-7 toasted pecan or walnut halves broken into pieces...good balance and very satisfying.

I started this regimen around July 29, constructing meal plans based on 1200-1300 calorie daily intake, and have lost 45 pounds (at the halfway mark of goal). Once I got used to eating this way, I rarely feel hungry and have more energy than I know what to do with! By the way, DO NOT skip breakfast. It's what kicks your metabolism into gear for the day and keeps it from going into "starvation mode."

healthy snack idea - cc

[ In Reply To ..]
I eat salt free pretzels mid morning. Put some in a dish (do not bring the whole bag to your desk). In the afternoon I would eat a cup of greek yogurt.

I use to munch on licorice or skittles until I realized they have a lot of sugar which slows down your metabolism. When I stopped eating them I started to lost weight.

Also try to drink water instead of soda.

Frozen blueberries and sharp or (extra sharp) cheddar cheese. nm - mtlt

[ In Reply To ..]

Yum! This reminds me of my grandpa, who ate berries and cheese - with one piece of wheat toast

[ In Reply To ..]
every day for breakfast his entire adult life. He lived to be 96 years old and was slender, fit and healthy right up until the end. Docs said he died of "a broken heart" 3 months after my grandma died...married 70 years!

I eat frozen blueberries in oatmeal with walnuts - for breakfast every day

[ In Reply To ..]
Hope I live that long!

Sunflower seeds in the shell. Healthy and alone in - my office is the only place I can indulge. :) NM

[ In Reply To ..]
x

munchies - FatNSazzy

[ In Reply To ..]
Weigh and measure everything - I have: yogurt, carrots and hummus, vegies and light Italian dressing, tuna on crackers, tomato/cucumber/onion salad, thin sliced turkey or roast beef with horshradish mayo rolled up and slices into bite sized, 1 oz cheese cubes and a slim jim or 1 oz salami or pepperoni.

Raw nuts, like pistachios and almonds or low sodium pretzels - AnaPhylaxis

[ In Reply To ..]
Also, Costco here (CA) has a huge bag that's a healthy combo of dried berries (high in antoxidants) and healthy nuts. It's really reasonably priced, too, about $3-4 for a two-pound bag. It's amazingly delicious and a bargain to boot...and I never feel guilty because there's no added sugar, it's very low sodium (no salt on the nuts), and very high in antioxidants. I keep some in a small covered container on my desk so whenever I feel the "need to feed," I haven't something really healthy and tasty literally at my hands, LOL!

Forgot to mention... - mtlt

[ In Reply To ..]
Blueberry flavored Craisins because I had run out. Went to the store this morning and got some. I think they are delicious. :)

Similar Messages:

Feb 12, 2012

Help! I am transcribing from some tapes, yes tapes, and the sound quality is extremely poor. Wondering if anyone knows if conference mode versus dictation mode makes any difference in sound quality. Need to do something. Digital would be best if I can convince them to change. Thanks for any suggestions. ...

May 24, 2012

Well this whole transcription thing is not going well. Duh! With a really bad work schedule, an hour commute each way and now the threat of the hospital outsourcing our department, I am trying to think of something I can do from home besides work for peanuts for a MTSO. I am expecting my first child soon and really want to be home with him. Does anyone have a friend or family member who has successfully implemented her own business (perhaps with a transcription background) and if so, ...

Dec 11, 2013

Tried testing for Accentus, but my foot pedal would not play the voice file. It did absolutely nada. I could not go backward or fast forward. I was able to hear the test voice file just fine, so I went ahead and hit the tab to take the test. I transcribed 4 words, went to back up, and I couldn't. Any suggestions as to why my stinking foot pedal would not work? It works fine when I am transcribing for my present service. ...

Apr 07, 2015

Hi Guys/Gals, I am dictating a doctor who sounds like he has a mouthful of marbles. Under Physical Exam he states, "Abdomen is soft, no _____megaly. It is not organomegaly because I have transcribed this doctor many times and it sounds nothing like it. Any ideas on what else it could be? ...

Apr 15, 2010

put all of this wonderful medical terminology to good use? Don't want to be a nurse. I hate needles and blood. I am a very empathetic and compassionate person. I really don't want to deal with the public/customers. ...

Jul 18, 2013

Hello all, I have been in the transcription business now for 8 years and I have yet to find a comfortable chair! Comfort is everything when you are trying to stay in one spot to get a decent line count and when your butt is numb or tailbone hurts it's hard to do that! Could you please share what kind of chairs you all have? I am determined to buy one this weekend even if it is outrageously expensive! TIA ...

Feb 09, 2014

Its getting sickening. ...

Mar 11, 2015

I am rewriting my resume to get out of the MT field. Was wondering if anyone had any words or phrases that might help describe strengths the average MT has that would transfer to the "real world" ? Thanks so much. ...

Feb 04, 2010

This is typed exactly as said, but does not seem correct to me. Examination of her tendo Achilles on the left does show some thickening in the primarily tendinous portion for about a 3 inch length. She is mildly tender but it is markedly thickened. tia. ...

Mar 05, 2010

I am a recent grad and would like to start working part time however, I believe i need more experience in transcribing actual reports. I would like to have a "mentor" so that I can be more confident in my ability to transcribe and not be afraid to apply for a position as a medical transcriptionist. Can anyone give my any ideas or advice? ...

Dec 09, 2011

I need to work in bed for a few weeks due to a leg injury. Does anyone have any ideas so I can use my footpedal? I have been trying to think of something to use besides pillows to hold it in place at the right angle but I'm not having much luck. Figured one of my brilliant peers would have ideas!! ...

Aug 15, 2012

Since it is obvious the new comp plan isn't done maybe we could give them help and point in the right direction. I would love to hear what everyone thinks, good or bad. Would you rather get paid hourly or by the line? How about a shift differential for the weekend? What about extra money per report for those accounts with multiple carbon copies and tedious demographic screens? Some companies consider FT and offer benefits at 32 hours, would that be something anyone would be ...

Sep 14, 2012

Will be many different clinics. I am accustomed to acute care only but this account will be about 70 percent clinic and 30 percent acute care. TIA ...

Apr 04, 2013

So far, I'm still hanging in there with MT, wondering how long this will last, like many of us are. I'm prepared to get a job outside the home if need be and will be starting school soon, but am wondering if anyone might have the scoop on any other ideas to make a little money from home. ...

May 14, 2013

Hi folks. I'm an ex-MT of 32 years. When I was 50 years old, I started college, got a degree in IT, and am now an IT Project Manager. I know the financial struggle my fellow MT's are going through, and I want to give something back to help others have the ability to feed their families once again and to stop losing their houses. I'm considering setting up a college scholarship fund. It won't be overly large in the beginning, but it will be a start. I ...

Sep 06, 2013

What type of careers are any one of you who are leaving MT or who are former MTs are retraining for? I'm very undecided. I'm not too crazy about being in school a long time or least longer than 1-1/2 to 2 years. I thought about coding but heard that that field is changing too like MT. I would like to stay in the medical field but I'm not sure about the degree of direct patient contact I want. I thought about radiology technician but not really sure. Any ideas to at least all ...

Mar 21, 2014

Can anyone give me insight as to what I may be doing wrong here? I applied to a large company as an IC for evening shift. I passed the first interview, took the test and was told I scored very high and the QA score on the testing was 99.9%. I have 20 years experience. I have done straight transcription (250 plus lines per hour) and voice recognition (400 plus lines per hour) and was willing to do either one, was willing to work Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening shifts.& ...

Apr 10, 2014

Besides coding... ...

May 01, 2014

not really feasible to look for another job outside home. I live in a very small town and care for my aging mother who is not in the best of health. Right now I'm really feeling a major period of burn-out with transcription. Most days, I'm ready to throw my hands up and quit, just walk away from it, but then I see my checkbook laying on my desk as a reminder that I can't do that. I'm tired of trying to understand mushmouth practitioners, those who talk at the speed of light, ...

Feb 27, 2010

As my family leaves the next, I would like to be able to come out of my work "closet" and be able to set up in my family room by a big window. However, when we have guests, I would like the option of moving the cart back into the closet. Has anyone found anything that works for this? The cart has to be sturdy enough to hold all the computer hardware including a printer. So many that I see have a support or floor under them which would prohibit the use of a foo ...

Jun 14, 2010

I am about to take on an account where I work in the hospital's VPN. Their VPN blocks the internet entirely. I am used to quickly going to very good websites for dosages of drugs, spelling of difficult words and meanings of certain words which docs may say out of context. But now I am about to experience a wall where I cannot get to the internet while typing on the hospital intranet. Besides having to buy another computer, does anyone have any suggestions (aside from ...

Jul 30, 2010

Hi my fellow MTs! Pinch me I am dreaming! My SO is building us a new home, and Monday we meet with the kitchen designer/cabinetry dude to layout the kitchen, which will include my office. He was insistent that he build a corner desk overlooking the woods, the best view of the house! He did not want me holed off in another room of the house, but wants to keep me in the heart of it! Yes, he has an ulterior motive... preparing scrumptious meals while I work... but thats fine ...

Apr 19, 2012

sss ...

Jun 29, 2012

n/m ...

Jan 30, 2013

So I've started pounding pavement..but switched to calling first to ask if I may bring my business card and a flyer outlining my services to them. Here's why: Besides the percentage that only use EMR, the others fall under a huge umbrella of healthcare chains, and these chains outsource their MTs. Out of about 30 so far, I found ONE chiropractor who was independent and took my info saying they may need an MT soon, and one other who said he's had the same MT for 30+ years (lu ...

May 11, 2013

Since most of us are stuck editing for miniscule wages, lets share ideas on things you do, or have tried, to increase productivity. I haven't done editing for a long time so am experimenting with new things. Does anyone use their expansion software to perform commands like to quickly do reformatting? How about discontinuing duties you used to perform like searching for the first name of a doctor to CC? Timesavers when proofing, like ignoring the ROS and PE? How many can suces ...

Aug 06, 2013

I started using Spotify this week after my trusty old radio quit on me. I adjusted the volume to just the right level. Working away and then AN ADVERTISEMENT COMES ON AT FULL VOLUME. So now my ears are ringing and I need to find something that doesn't change volume when ads come on. I don't mind the ads, I just don't want them blasting what is now left of my eardrums. I have heard of Pandora, but not much else. I have iHeartRADIO preinstalled on ...

May 24, 2014

I live in a small town with local elementary school K-4 with about 700 children. I thought since I live literally 2 minutes from the school and my own 2 children attending the school I could pick up about 4 children (my vehicle would hold that many) and keep them at my house from 3 to 5 or 6ish. Charging $6/hour/child you can do the math. I would feed them a little something and perhaps start on homework. I am well known in the community and have a nice and tidy home so on and so on....As a ...

Nov 08, 2009

nm ...

Feb 14, 2010

x ...