Chronic diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular problems, cancer, mental health problems among others are on the rise. Most corporate employees spend at least 40 hours in the office each week and most of their daily health decisions begin in the workplace – so it’s the perfect opportunity for employers to help tackle this problem.
When employees are healthy and happy, businesses can thrive and grow. Everybody wins!
Eating well in the workplace can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being of an individual. Focusing on nourishing food choices can improve concentration and cognitive function, boosting an employee’s workplace performance. By focusing on preventive care & wellness, businesses can create a culture of health through preventive care and wellness programs where workers are encouraged to perform at their peak – in turn helping the company, partners and customers.
Research has found that there’s a deep connection between employee well-being and organizational results such as employee turnover, employee performance, organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Tending to the health of your employees is money well invested as it helps:
- Greater staff retention
- Improved workplace morale
- Decreased absentee days
- Increased productivity
- Increased quality of work
Some ways to improve nutritional habits and the quality of the foods eaten at work are:
Make meetings and celebrations ‘nutrilicious’ events. Whenever food is brought in for an event, include options such as nuts, a fruit or vegetable tray while keeping other options like cakes and juices. If the event is being catered, request for a mixture of food preparation. It has to be fun so no need to keep it 100% ‘healthy’ and I believe it’s wiser to provide a mixture so that people have choices. Provide options like 100% whole grain products, low salt and sodium and offer water and low-calorie beverages. By providing choices, the employees can opt as per their requirements. 
Offer evidence-based nutrition information. Learning is a continuous process and by offering evidence-based nutrition information on nutrition, employees will be able to make better food choices at work as well as out of work. Try to provide opportunities to attend lunch and learn sessions or breakfast meet about nutrition education, cooking demonstrations and supportive group discussions. Such events help to make the training session more impactful.
Review vending machines and candy jars. The workplace can be an environment to enhance good nutritional habits and reviewing the types of foods that are easily accessible is important. By requesting vending machine companies to provide healthier choices, those on-the-go employees can still have a chance to consume healthy foods.
Consider adding refrigerator and microwaves in the breakroom. This can motivate employees to bring their lunch and foods from home. Often times, the main barrier is lack of proper storage or reheating facility. 
Provide healthy, on-demand food. Having nutritious and delicious meals delivered to the office can foster an attitude of nutritional awareness, especially regarding portion sizes. Consider Simplygoodfood , a local company providing healthy food delivery.
Corporate wellness programs are essential to employee health and productivity. It is well documented that employee well-being leads to higher creativity and productivity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that optimal nourishment can raise national productivity levels by 20%. Healthy employees are happier, calmer, more engaged, sleep better and get sick less often.
You want your employees to feel energetic, motivated, healthy and perform at their peak? Get in touch with us on +230 5250 8384 to discuss further on our corporate nutrition programs.
Eat Smart. Be Healthy.
Yovanee