How to Encourage Healthier Eating Habits in the Workplace

There is no doubt that as a nation we are gradually becoming unhealthier. Many people lack physical activity and have a poor diet, which can lead to a range of health problems which will then negatively impact our working life.

It is for this reason that an increasing number of employers are now looking at ways that they can encourage healthier eating habits in the workplace. This supports employees in their own personal health journey and can improve business outcomes at the same time.

Here, we look at some of the ways that employers can improve eating habits in the workplace, in order to offer the greatest level of care for their staff.

The impact of a poor diet at work

As an employer, you would be forgiven for thinking that the diet of your employees is not your concern, but when you consider that food is the fuel for both body and mind, it stands to reason that what someone eats is likely to impact on their work.

Not only does food give us physical energy, but it also boosts our mental abilities as well. Unhealthy diets with empty calories and high levels of sugar can be associated with lower productivity. This is because there are short term energy spikes which are followed by long-term lows that can cause sluggishness.

The right balance of natural sugars, vitamins and minerals has been found to improve creativity, mental sharpness, concentration and memory which are all incredibly important factors in the workplace. It is for this reason that employers are now looking at how they can encourage healthier eating habits in the workplace to benefit everyone.

Education, education, education

For many, a poor diet is often because of a lack of knowledge or understanding when it comes to nutrition. Once staff members are better educated, they are able to make more informed choices about what they eat.

This could take the form of inviting nutritionists or dietitians to share tips, answer questions and hold workshops, or you may want to display posters around the workplace or share other information online. This can ensure that every member of staff has the tools to improve their diet easily.

Healthy food options

You can also support your employee’s health by thinking about the food you offer in the workplace. Whether you have an on-site canteen or a selection of vending machines, it can be a good idea to think about what is on the menu and whether it benefits your workforce. By offering a range of different food and drink options, you can ensure there are plenty of choices available so that staff can make the best decisions for themselves.

For example, whilst vending machines were once the place to go for crisps, chocolate and fizzy drinks, they can now supply healthier foods like salads, fruit, yoghurts, nuts and granola bars to give your employees plenty of healthy choices.

Hydration

Staying fully hydrated is another way to boost concentration and cognitive functions, so you could try to ensure that there is easy access to clean and fresh water throughout the workplace. This can be done through the strategic positioning of water coolers as well as vending machines that can supply bottled water and other forms of refreshment.

By promoting healthy eating at work, you can show your employees that you have their wellbeing at heart. Whilst this will not fix all the health problems that they might be facing, it can help to support them in any personal health journey that they might be undertaking and could have significant long-term benefits both for the health of your employees and the health of your business.