GUILTY pleasures of cakes and sweets in the office could soon be a thing of the past, if dentists have their way.

As thousands of office workers nurse the back-to-work blues with a comforting slice of Christmas cake or some leftover Roses, dentists are urging them to banish the sweet treats to protect their waistlines and teeth.

The Faculty of Dental Surgery said people should cut down on eating cake and biscuits at work, which they have dubbed the ‘workplace cake culture.’

It advises reducing portion sizes, keeping a sugar schedule to limit sugar intake and considering low-sugar alternatives.

Adver web editor Bruno Clements isn’t convinced by the advice and believes the key to long-term health is an active lifestyle.

“Obviously the faculty have our best interests at heart when they tell us to lay off the chocolate and cake at work but the reality is that most of us need something to give us a quick boost during the day,” he said.

“Perhaps the answer is to walk or cycle to work and be active outside the office so that snacks like these have as little impact as possible.”

But there is hope for those who want to have their cake and eat it with exercise seen as a primary factor in the battle against obesity.

Fiona Dickens, Swindon Borough Council Public Health programme manager and qualified dietitian, said there is no one single answer to combat unhealthy lifestyles

“A lot of sugar can also damage the teeth. Cakes, biscuits and sweets are more obvious culprits and these foods are commonplace in offices, especially during times of celebration," she said.

"Having them as occasional treats and also keeping an eye on portion size is definitely advisable.

"It’s also worth considering other healthier options, such as introducing a fruit bowl for people to help themselves, which will count towards their 5-a-day too.

“Inactivity is another problem, which office-bound roles can contribute towards. Rather than rewarding staff with cake, treating them to a group activity would be healthier and might boost productivity as well.

"Going for a quick walk whilst discussing something, instead of sending an email, is another idea which could easily be incorporated into daily routines.

"Small, simple changes like this all add up and can make a big difference to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.”

Professor Nigel Hunt, dean of the faculty at the Royal College of Surgeons, said it may be a case of managers wanting to reward staff, or people bringing presents back from their holidays that sees sugary snacks going into the workplace.

He warned bosses to combat ‘workplace cake culture’ for a healthier 2017.

“While these sweet treats might be well meaning, they are also contributing to the current obesity epidemic and poor oral health,” he added.

“We need a culture change in offices and other workplaces that encourages healthy eating and helps workers avoid caving in to sweet temptations such as cakes, sweets and biscuits.”

For information about how to cut down on sugar, visit www.change4life.co.uk or email livewell@swindon.gov.uk