Are your employees eating well?
The answer to that question could have a direct bearing on your small business success. Sound too simple to be true?
The fact is that promoting healthy eating means promoting a healthier lifestyle. That in turn means more energetic and alert employees who are healthier, happier and more productive.
Here are some compelling reasons to encourage healthy eating, and some ways you can do just that….
Healthy Employees Are More Productive
Eating healthy food is a must for optimum productivity. Snacking on processed carbs and sugar leads to spikes and crashes in energy levels and alertness.
Many employees have experienced the dreaded mid-afternoon slump.
By encouraging healthy eating you can help your employees avoid that, and keep their energy levels constant throughout the day. They’ll have more energy and get more done, and your business will benefit from the added productivity.
Don’t forget, healthy eating as part of a healthy lifestyle can also cut down on sick time. That means healthier employees and less sick pay.
Healthy Employees Are Happier
Healthy eating is a mood booster.
As mentioned above, wholesome foods can help prevent peaks and troughs in energy and alertness. Eating well can also promote a better mood.
Happier employees contribute to a more pleasant working environment, and ultimately a more cohesive team.
Employees who feel good and have energy will work better together, be more alert, and feel more engaged with their colleagues and their job.
Build a Culture of Eating Well
The importance of encouraging healthy eating in the workplace and beyond is clear, but how can you do just that?
The answer is to build a culture of eating well. Make eating healthily and offering education on healthy eating options part and parcel of your business.
Education matters.
As the article “Expert Interview With Lyndi Fultz About Eating Well” says, people don’t always realize that simple eating is delicious eating.
That’s where you come in.
Try offering healthy eating events such as:
- Healthy eating seminars
- Informal chats
- Cooking demonstrations
- Cooking classes
- Tasting fares
- Bring and share lunches
Events are a great way to raise awareness of healthy eating. Your team will have time to bond, and learn about healthy eating at the same time.
Demonstrations or fares are a great way to give your employees a taste of how delicious healthy eating can be.
 Provide Healthy Options
Make healthy eating easier for your employees by providing some wholesome options.
For example, why not order a fruit basket to be delivered to the office, or have some of the sugary and salty snacks in the vending machine replaced with dried fruits or nuts? If your workplace has a canteen, give the menu a healthy overhaul.
You can also look into deals with local delis or other purveyors of healthy foods to get your employees a good deal on lunch orders.
Make healthy eating as easy and inexpensive as you can for your employees, to encourage them to make changes.
Encourage Proper Breaks
If your employees aren’t taking proper breaks, they’ll be more inclined to grab a fast food snack for an instant energy hit.
Encourage a culture of taking proper breaks throughout the day.
As well as giving employees more time to enjoy a healthy snack or lunch, proper breaks encourage some downtime and give employees a chance to recharge. Proper breaks help boost productivity in the long run.
Promoting healthy eating in the workplace means promoting success for your small business.
Your employees will be healthier and happier, your small business will benefit from their increased energy and enthusiasm, and you’ll boost your reputation as an employer who genuinely cares.
About the Author: Tristan Anwyn writes on a variety of topics including social media, how to build customer relationships, content marketing and how to keep your employees fit and healthy.