Tempted by chocolate at work? Take a stroll instead

Instead of reaching for chocolate when you hit that mid-afternoon slump, try a 15 minute walk. Photo / Thinkstock

The next time you feel yourself hitting the mid-afternoon slump at work, don't reach for a chocolate bar - go for a walk instead.

A 15-minute stroll can halve the amount of chocolate that workers eat, researchers claim, even in stressful situations.

Professor Adrian Taylor, who led the study at the University of Exeter, said: "We know that snacking on high calorie foods, like chocolate, at work can become a mindless habit and can lead to weight gain over time.

"We often feel that these snacks give us an energy boost, or help us deal with the stress of our jobs, including boredom.

"People often find it difficult to cut down on their daily treats but this study shows that by taking a short walk, they are able to regulate their intake by half."

Researchers gave 78 'regular chocolate-eaters' a series of work and exercise tests.

Those who had exercised before working ate 15g of chocolate on average - the equivalent of a 'fun-size' bar - compared with 28g for those who had not.

The same team had previously shown exercise can curb cravings, but this study, published in the journal Appetite, is the first to show it can also reduce consumption.

- DAILY MAIL