Why We Munch While Charting

As physicians, charting is an inevitable—and often dreaded—part of the job. Whether we’re racing against the clock to finish notes before heading home or multitasking during downtime, it’s all too easy to reach for a snack while we type away. 

But why do we munch while charting in the first place?

Here are the top three reasons:

1. We’re Busy and Don’t Get Lunch Breaks Like Most Employees Do
   The demands of our profession mean that dedicated lunch breaks often feel like a luxury we can’t afford. Instead, we learn to eat on the go—between patients, while reviewing labs, or during other brief lulls. Over time, this habit becomes ingrained, and eating while working feels like the norm.
2. We’re Trying to Multitask
   Physicians are masters of multitasking—after all, it’s a skill we honed in medical school and residency. But here’s the kicker: multitasking while eating is something we likely picked up by observing our superiors doing the same. Watching attending physicians eat while typing or scarfing down meals between cases sent the message that this was “just how it’s done.” And now, it’s a deeply ingrained habit for many of us.
3. Buffering
   Perhaps the most insidious reason we eat while charting is buffering. When faced with the dread, frustration, or boredom of charting, food becomes a quick fix. It temporarily neutralizes the discomfort and gives us a momentary sense of relief. But while it may ease the emotional burden in the moment, buffering can create a cycle of habitual snacking that doesn’t address the root issue—and often leads to unwanted weight gain.

How Physicians Can Break the Cycle of Snacking While Charting

While chart munching may feel like a necessary evil, there are steps we can take to break the habit and develop healthier eating patterns:

1. Take a Break to Eat
   When possible, carve out 10-15 minutes for a true meal break. Even a short pause allows you to focus on nourishing your body rather than grabbing food while on the go. This small shift can help you feel more satisfied and less likely to snack mindlessly later.
2. Mindfully Eat Whenever Possible
   When you have the opportunity to sit down for a meal—whether at home or during a quick break—practice mindful eating. Notice the textures, temperatures, and flavors of your food. Put your fork down between bites and truly be present with the experience. Not only does this enhance your enjoyment of food, but it also helps you feel satiated with less.
3. End the Buffering
   To stop buffering, start by identifying the emotions driving your desire to snack. Is it stress? Frustration? Boredom? Acknowledge those feelings instead of pushing them away. Then, find alternative ways to process them—like taking a deep breath, journaling, or simply allowing yourself to feel the emotion without reacting to it.

A Better Way Forward For Physician Weight Loss

Chart munching doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your life. By taking intentional breaks, practicing mindful eating, and addressing the emotional drivers behind snacking, you can break the cycle and create a healthier, more balanced approach to food.

If you’d like to learn how to break the chart munching habit for good so you can get to and stay at your goal weight, women physicians inside my program are breaking decades-long habits and dropping weight. So can you.

Click here to apply for a spot in my program.