Poor eating habits during working days greatly contribute to obesity. Workplaces are therefore ideal places to promote healthy eating. The British HR website Personnel Today brought a few suggestions on how to do it.
Create an educational campaign
Connect with local initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle and prepare an educational campaign. Start with posters and online materials to highlight specific health problems.
Simplify healthy eating
A healthier way of eating should be as simple as possible for your employees. You can for example provide them with sufficient equipment to prepare their own breakfasts and snacks in the kitchens.
Offer healthy alternatives
Many workplaces offer employees snacks in vending machines. Chocolates, crisps or fizzy sugary drinks are typical. If this is your case too, try to offer fruit and less caloric alternatives, ideally for free.
Clearly inform about the offered food
Inform employees that less caloris meals are available in your cafeterias and how to recognize them. Dining room staff should be trained to answer basic questions about the nutritional values of foods.
Write it down
Officially claim your commitment to promoting healthy eating and include it in employee manuals. Let them know that it is a company policy and you take it seriously.
Keep breaks
Build a culture of honestly keeping luch and snack breaks. Lead employees not to eat at their desks but to take advantage of the breaks to stretch and breath some fresh air, too.
Inform about the harmful effects of alcohol
Focus not only on the fact that alcohol is addictive but also on the fact that it is very caloric.
Collaborate with local food suppliers
Negotiate your discounts and special offers for your employees at proven local retailers.
Hold team events
Encourage healthy eating habits of your people through team activities. Organize workshops for employees who like to bake, food tastings or team competitions in weight loss.
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