A lot of people who sit in meetings find themselves losing energy. And this can get worse when they are provided with sugary baked goods. Although employers cannot force their employees to eat healthily, they can promote healthy food choices and nutrition at work. By feeding employees foods rich in nutrients, they tend to be quite productive and efficient, and stay healthy. Whether sharing nutrition tips and weekly recipes from a good source, introducing an online corporate catering event, or changing the options available in vending machines, each action matters.
Diet and Work Performance
When the body is well-fueled, it releases mental and physical energy. But unhealthy diets are full of empty calories, dyes, and sugars related to lower productivity. This is because these food options can lead to brain fog and sluggishness.
Experts say that consuming fresh fruits and vegetables regularly can boost creativity and curiosity. In addition, consuming whole foods such as fruits and veggies can promote happiness, life satisfaction, and positivity.
Why Employers Should Promote Nutrition at Work?
Healthy eating is beneficial for optimal health. Employees who make smarter food choices can avoid illnesses that can cause them to take time off of work. Promoting good nutrition in the workplace gives more benefits than increase productivity.
- Reduce anxiety and stress. When employees stay away from simple carbohydrates such as sugary beverages, their mind can be more at ease. Consuming complex carbohydrates causes the brain to release serotonin, which offers a calming effect. These carbs include whole-grain cereal, quinoa, and oatmeal.
- Boost the immune system. A well-balanced diet means consuming colorful foods such as kale, berries, peppers, and tomatoes that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals damage cells as well as lead to aging and illnesses.
- Reduce absenteeism. Studies show that unhealthy eating and physical inactivity usually result in lost productivity, including absences because of illness or disability. By introducing work programs that integrate healthy eating and active living, employees are always motivated to go to work and meet or exceed what’s expected of them.
Nutrition in Workplace Programs
Nutrition must be treated as an important branch of other wellness initiatives and campaigns in organizations. Employers can start by establishing policies for healthy eating in the workplace. Also, they can conduct surveys on the food preferences and beliefs of their employees, as well as the food available in vending machines and the cafeteria, and in the workplace itself. Some programs they can initiate include making a community garden, introducing team-building cooking classes, switching food company vendors, giving breakroom fruit bowls, and skipping processed foods at meetings.
