Corporate Wellness Programs: The Importance of Healthy Eating

Employees spend almost a third of their day working at the company. This means that many of them could be eating the two main meals of the day (breakfast and lunch) at the company. At work, employees work under stress and also feel some exhaustion from time to time, both physically and mentally. Studies show that stress increases people’s desire to eat, and they more often choose foods that are high in fat or sugar. Therefore, choosing the wrong foods in the company cafeteria at such times can be detrimental to your health, well-being and productivity. In the long run, regular consumption of such foods can lead to health complications such as being overweight or obese, increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, increased lipid levels, etc.

Today, office cafeterias provide a variety of food options to their employees. The priority of the workplace cafeteria is to provide food that will be purchased by employees and not necessarily health-promoting food, since the taste of the food is prioritized over the nutrition of the food. We all know that tasty food means heavy use of oil, butter, cream, mawa, salt, sugar, etc. in food. Employees eat breakfast and lunch almost daily or at least eat lunch in the company cafeteria. Therefore, it is very important that healthy and nutritious options are available to you.

How will providing healthy food options benefit a workplace?

1. No afternoon slumps: We know that our brain requires glucose to keep it functioning, alert, and working throughout the day. Eating foods high in fat and sugar will make the stomach feel heavy, making the person feel sluggish and sleepy. Therefore, it is very important that a nutritious, light and tasty lunch is available to combat post-lunch depression. This will also help steer clear of unwanted cups of coffee, tea, and other options that one may reach for right after lunch to combat sluggishness.

2. Morale Boost: Eating a healthy diet promotes emotional and physical well-being. Being happy and in a calm state of mind will help the employee develop a positive relationship with colleagues and enhance creativity at work as there will be minimal stress associated with work.

3. Less sick leave: A healthy diet will ensure that the body gets all the necessary nutrients to build, improve and strengthen the immune system. Good immunity ensures good health and fewer diseases.

What can be done to have a cafeteria with healthy food options?

Today, corporate wellness programs designed by health professionals include evaluation and counseling in the office cafeteria, healthy menu planning with interesting recipes, and healthy eating talks so that employees understand the importance of health even in the job.

So what do these health professionals do? Cafe Nutritionist In Mumbai has health professionals including trained dietitians and nutritionists who assess the menu of the canteen run by external agencies, calculate the calories of the food served on the menu and educate the employees on their nutritional quotient. Alternatively, they can also design nutritious and interesting menus keeping meal planning principles in mind. The planning of healthy snacks is also in charge of the dietitians and nutritionists deployed in the company. Therefore, midnight hunger pangs need not be treated with vada pavs, samosas, chips, etc. Healthier options can be made available to employees.

Companies today are realizing the needs of health conscious employees. Tea and coffee can be replaced by these employees with the green tea, lemon tea, buttermilk or herbal tea available in the office. Also, companies can stock office vending machines with healthy snacks like makhanas, kurmura, jowar puffs, non-fried peanuts, roasted chana, etc. to provide employees with healthy snack options. Fruit can also be made available to employees in the cafeteria to combat mid-afternoon hunger.

Obesity, diabetes and hypertension are the conditions that mainly result from following an unhealthy lifestyle and eating patterns. It is very important to take care of the food that is consumed, either in the workplace or at home. A corporate wellness program should aim to increase the productivity of the workforce, and planning tasty and nutritionally balanced menus is an integral part of these programs.