It is estimated that the UK economy loses £138bn every year due to poor health at work. Mental and physical health issues have an impact on employees’ ability to turn up to their job and be effective when they are there. Diet and nutrition play a huge part in this. Giving employees the tools to stay happy and healthy is a win for the individual - and a win for a business. So it’s important to get it right.
Why should employers promote the benefits of good nutrition at work?
- Better employee health means staff are likely to have stronger immune systems and will need to take fewer days off sick. They are also less likely to develop chronic diseases like heart disease or obesity.
- Poor nutrition has been linked to mental health problems as well as physical symptoms.
- Eating well should lead to fewer sugar spikes and energy slumps, allowing people greater mental clarity and to be more productive during the workday.
- Healthier employees should need to use private medical insurance and other company-backed healthcare offerings less often than those with chronic medical conditions.
- Showing your employees you care about their health can lead to better morale amongst employees and a greater degree of engagement.
- Employee schemes around health and wellness can help in attracting and retaining talent.
- Healthier diets and habits are often more sustainable and align with broader corporate social responsibility goals.
How can employers improve nutrition in the workplace?
Provide healthy food options
If your workplace offers food, whether it’s via a staff canteen, vending machines, or free snacks, try to ensure healthy options are available – and are not more expensive. Make healthy choices ‘the norm’ as well as appealing, affordable, and desirable.
Support healthy eating habits
Give employees access to the things they will need to support their own healthy eating habits. Provide fridges and microwaves to allow people to bring in their own home-cooked food and salads. Make sure your staff are encouraged to take a full lunch hour and have the opportunity to eat mindfully and preferably with others – rather than hastily eating fast food at their desks while working.
Offer wellness education that supports long-term change
Healthy eating is a habit you can get into – and then maintain. Giving people the education and tools they need to make positive changes can be empowering. Providing education around health and nutrition is the first step.
How can a workplace wellness programme promote healthy eating?
Promoting healthy eating at work shows your employees you value health and wellness. It can be a fun, engaging way to offer something extra to your employees that benefits them and your business at the same time.
They give employees the information they need to make healthier choices, and, an understanding of how easy it is to try it for themselves.
They’ll discover how they can make delicious, healthy meals for work (and at home) without spending a fortune or needing obscure, unpalatable ingredients. They’ll get to taste things for themselves and see how tasty and easy healthy eating can be. Our workshops are fun, can be valuable team-building exercises, and are seen as a perk rather than a chore.
Would you like to know more? We offer two-hour sessions, and half or full-day workshops that can be tailored to your needs. Get in touch!
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