I keep snacks in my desk. They are usually chocolate or gummy, but they serve a purpose. Stifle hunger… duh, right? I have chocolate “drops” – think Raisinettes but with acai or pomegranate instead (which makes them healthy, right?!!?). I would have six each morning around 10. Seriously. Just six. The other snack was usually the fun size (think Halloween supply) bags of Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids, usually two, a little after lunch. Though sometimes I would substitute left over Halloween, Christmas, Valentine, and or Easter candy instead.

These snacks satisfied the sweet craving. And I’d rather have my own supply rather than raid the vending machine in the cafeteria or break room. Because, well, cost really. But also, by stocking the snacks myself, I would never have to think about what I wanted to have – it was right there.

But there were also desks or public work areas that had, at one point or another, small supplies of snacks of some kind. I’d like to think my will power was strong enough that I didn’t need to snack at other times, but who can pass up a Boston Creme doughnut in the morning? Or some dark chocolate with almond Hershey’s nuggets? Even homemade cookies or whatever?

But these cravings were also due to hunger, either perceived, habitual, or actual. While walking over six thousand steps a day, I guess one could develop an appetite to some extent.

I don’t know if I’ll stock up on the snacks when I retire. Maybe I’ll be too busy. Or maybe I’ll break the cycle of habitual snacking. I’m not saying I’m overweight – which I am not – but maybe I just won’t need or want these snacks. It’s hard to tell. They are light snacks after all… or am I just making excuses at this point? But I would think that if I gave them up, I would miss them.