Healthy Eating at workplace

We need energy for our bodies to function properly and the balance between carbohydrate, protein and fat must be right for us to remain healthy and fit. The rapid race of everyday life has led to the loss of a habit of sitting down for as long as it takes to enjoy a balanced meal, choosing increasingly “fast food”, often without any nutrients.Scientific evidence shows that it is possible to influence work-related outcomes, especially absenteeism, positively through health promotion efforts that include components aimed at the workplace’s physical work environment and organizational structure. Eating well in the workplace can have a significant impact on overall health and well-being. Nutritious foods can improve concentration and cognitive function, boosting an employee’s workplace performance. 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. When your employees eat healthily and practice healthy eating habits, they are helping their brains and bodies function better. Along with regular exercise, eating a balanced diet will help reduce the risk of chronic illness and increase longevity. Besides disease prevention and healthy lifestyle, a nutritious diet offers other physical and mental health benefits which include: 1. Increased productivity: The vitamins, minerals and nutrients obtained from nutritious foods are essential for increasing and maintaining energy throughout the day. While fatty and sugary foods can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep, the nutrients found in many healthy foods promote quality sleep. Employees with healthy eating habits and diet tend to be more productive. The brain works its best when it's fueled with the essential nutrients it needs. The increased levels of energy keep employees feeling productive all day long. 2. Mental health benefits: Many researches have shown that a healthy, balanced diet can significantly lower the risk of depression and help support mental and emotional well-being .Consuming a variety of nutritious foods boosts memory, concentration and overall brain function. Food choices also have a direct effect on mood and attitude. 3. Recruiting & retention: In today's market, a healthy worker is an asset! Focussing on nutrition and well-being of employees can improve the quality of the task force and help in setting up positive goals for the company. 4. Better employee performance:Employees who eat nutritious foods benefit from improved cognitive functions. This includes better focus, concentration, memory, and creativeness. In fact, a 2013 study (Business Wire) found that employees who ate healthy all day long were 25% more likely to have higher job performance. Together, healthy eating and active living, combined with a positive outlook can lead to; reduced risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer, elevated mood, self-esteem, reduced anxiety and stress.and opportunities to spend enjoyable time with family and friends. Unfortunately, many employees do not consume as many nutritious foods as they should. This makes sense because eating well at work can seem burdensome or inconvenient for full-time employees that don't have healthy choices available in the office. Convenient lunches like chips, instant noodles, frozen food or fast food are tempting for a busy employee with a packed schedule. This is why it's crucial that employers make an effort to help employees achieve healthy eating habits within the workplace. With initiatives to help colleagues come together over food, your company can help your people feel part of a work community through opportunities for team-bonding and team-building, focussing on their collective physical and mental well-being. To know more about Nutrition & Diet Counselling Programs offered by Wellness Associates, click on the link below: