Promote healthy eating

Employees who eat healthy foods are less prone to fatigue and weight gain, which can lead to chronic medical conditions. Good nutrition also promotes alertness, so workers are less likely to suffer from "presenteeism" (being physically present but not mentally engaged), which can contribute to injuries.

By using organizational strategies that put nutritious options within reach, you can support employees who want to make healthy food choices. Here's what has worked well at other organizations:

Encourage eating food from home

Provide refrigerators, microwaves, or coolers. Eliminate or reduce unhealthy options in vending machines, and make healthier choices less expensive.

Trade out donuts for fruit or vegetables

Provide a healthy meal, complete with green, leafy vegetables, instead of pizza for the graveyard shift. Switch out the candy bowl for a bowl of fresh fruit to encourage healthy snacking.

Ensure employees have sufficient time on breaks and lunches

Having enough time on breaks means they are less likely to grab a candy bar or microwave burrito. Offer fresh, cool water during breaks and provide a natural space outdoors so employees get a break from the work environment.

Teach employees about healthy eating

Or take it a step further by providing cooking classes or facilitating healthy recipe sharing. Have a local restaurant or deli put together tasty, nutritious options for a meeting or special lunch.

Consider giving employees portion sized containers they can use for lunches

Cutting boards are another great giveaway that promotes vegetable and fruit preparation at home. Water bottles help encourage hydration.

Build an employee garden or partner with a farmers’ market or school

Bring vegetables and fruits within reach. Consider allowing community supported agriculture boxes to be delivered at the worksite. Be sure to include your employees as you look for other ideas to promote healthy eating both on and off the job.

Signs that unhealthy eating may be an issue at your workplace:

• Candy dishes or vending machines stocked only with processed food
• Lack of healthy alternatives (such as fruit) at meetings
• Few healthy foods eaten at lunch and on breaks
• Few places to purchase healthy food located near the workplace
• Employees bringing in treats and sweets to share

For more on this topic, visit saif.com/twh.