Let’s face it, most of the week we’re spending our prime waking hours at work. Without all the comforts of home, we grab for emergency food, and we succumb to temptations set out by others. Who are those others? Our well-meaning coworkers – the people we’re with for 2,000+ hours a year.
What if we made a pact to encourage each other to take better care of ourselves? That starts with healthier eating. No, we don’t mean that you should run over and slap that bag of potato chips out of someone’s hand shouting “I saved you!” The first strategy is always to make the healthier choice the easier choice.
With new research showing that every 11 pounds of weight gained increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and certain types of cancer, it’s surely worth rethinking a few workaday habits. Here are some changes you can make around the workplace that will help everyone keep those extra pounds away.
Healthy Vending
M&Ms and Coke are the snacks of the past. Instead, consider providing a healthy vending machine! With offerings that are lower in calories, free of artificial sweeteners, and higher in protein and other nutrients, healthy vending is a great benefit for employees and one way employers can encourage wellness in the workplace.
Healthstat's own Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Carolyn Peterson, loves using our healthy vending machine.
Nutritious Options in the Cafeteria
Expanding the options available allows your employees to have a variety of choices! Offer a daily “Fresh Pick,” a healthier alternative to the other less-nutritious options. Market the healthier options with big, colorful signage placed in front of the food displays. Perhaps even try lowering the cost of the healthier items to encourage your population to make the good choice!
Breakroom Norms
Once a week try stocking fresh fruit like clementines, grapes, strawberries, apples, etc. in an easy-access place for folks to grab on the run. Keep a bulletin board stocked with healthy recipes and eye-grabbing articles to increase office knowledge on healthy eating.
Wellness Coordinator/ Health Coaching
Collaboration of care is key. In addition to the clinician in your Healthstat clinic, add one of these professionals to your wellness toolkit to round out your healthcare offerings. With a clinic to care for episodic visits and to promote preventive measures, a Wellness Coordinator or Health Coach can implement full-fledged preventive programs to improve the health of your population.
Try implementing one of these changes and help your employees on their wellness journey! By promoting a healthier lifestyle in the workplace you could be the catalyst your employee needs.
