Dear NWAW,

I totally get it. You can't control what food pops up in the workplace, and it can be hard to resist all that temptation! But the workweek doesn't have to equal diet sabotage. Here are some foolproof solutions to five common workplace temptations...

Instead of morning-meeting pastries and oversized bagels...
Start off smart! Before you head to the office, make sure you have a protein-packed breakfast. It'll help power you through the morning and resist those a.m. calorie bombs. If you're not hungry first thing in the morning or don't have time to sit down and eat before you leave, pack a grab-n-go breakfast to eat while you go through your emails. HG oatmeal bakes travel really well and are great hot or cold. If you're still feeling tempted by morning treats like donuts and muffins, treat yourself to a sweet cup of coffee or tea made with no-calorie sweetener. Then pop a mint, and move on!

Instead of ordering lunch or hitting the drive-thru...
Make it a point to bring a packed lunch every day. You'll save cash and calories. This Avocado Egg White Salad Sandwich is a great choice, and mason-jar salads are perfect on the go. If you're short on time, keep a package of sliced turkey breast, some bagged salads, and your favorite light dressing in the office refrigerator. Then just toss it all together in a bowl when hunger hits. As for those times you forget to plan ahead? Here's a roundup of survival guides for fast-food and chain restaurants... Read before you chew!

Instead of indulging in the cake, donuts, and cupcakes that appear every time there's a birthday...
Keep a stash of low-calorie craving-busters in your desk drawer... Click here for a whole bunch of chocolate treats with 100 calories or less! Another smart move? Suggest ordering from Edible Arrangements (or somewhere similar) for the next birthday celebration -- your boss will thank you when the entire office doesn't lapse into a sugar coma, like they would with birthday cake.

Instead of heading to the vending machine for those crunchy, salty snacks...
Remember that stash of guilt-free sweets? Start another snack stack right next to it, this one filled with healthy savory snacks. Some of my go-tos are seaweed snacks, 94% fat-free microwave popcorn, and 100-calorie packs of nuts... Here's a list full of recommendations. Another trick? When you feel a case of the afternoon munchies coming on, go for a walk around the block -- chances are, the snack attack will be gone by the time you return. (Bonus: extra calories burned!)

Instead of grabbing a piece of candy every time you walk by the reception desk...
The dreaded candy bowl. It's such a trickster... It can't be that bad to grab a piece here and there, can it? Oh, yes it can... Those calories add up FAST. To help you break the habit, keep a food journal at your desk. Commit to writing down every little thing you eat. You're much more likely to resist those sugary treats if you have to record every single one. (If you sit at the reception desk, you have my sympathy... Maybe replace the candy bowl with a fruit bowl?)

Pssst... For even more workplace survival strategies, check out HG's Official At-Work Survival Guide.