As an employer, you are in a unique position to have a positive impact on the health of your employees. You may not realize it, but they spend the bulk of the day with you, working for you and striving hard to reach corporate goals. They stress about the work they do for you and even take this weightiness home to their families.
They may be struggling with health issues and are discovering that their biometrics are off, and now they need to schedule a cholesterol test with their medical doctors. The least you can do to support them in creating a healthy lifestyle is to offer healthy snacks and food options at work.
Reduces Health Care Costs
One of the benefits of creating a healthy workplace, including offering healthier snacks is that it can reduce your overall healthcare costs and their costs. Eating nutrient-dense foods throughout the day leaves people feeling full and satisfied instead of constantly looking to candy bars and soda. Lean protein and fruits and vegetables all work together to meet critical energy needs and reduce the risk of many health issues. In turn, this lowers health care costs because people stay healthier.
Helps People Focus Better
Want your staff to focus better on projects and deadlines? Feed them. Don't just feed them anything. Give them lean protein, fruits, and veggies so they can have more clarity throughout the day. Cheese sticks, lean lunch meat, and even grilled chicken are all great protein sources. Protein helps fuel the body longer and gives people a mental boost because they don't experience extreme carb crashes. Fruits and vegetables provide other critical nutrients that also impact mental focus and clarity in a positive way.
Improves Immunity
Did you know that fruit, especially citrus fruits contain powerful antioxidants and vitamin C that help the immune system function more efficiently? This powerful immune boost can keep people from getting infections and spreading illness at work. In the long run, this improves productivity which is a win for you, but it also keeps employees and their families healthier. If they aren't bringing home the latest cold and flu, they will stay out of the doctor's office and in your office instead. Providing fresh fruit for your employees is an important benefit so that they won't be as likely to snack on high-calorie, low nutrient value food.
Healthy Snacks Boost Your Mood
Does everyone come into the office cranky and frustrated? While it could be issues at home or other life challenges, a poor diet isn't helping the issue. Whether they didn't have their coffee, or they are getting the munchies, a healthy snack could be just what they need. Enjoy veggies with hummus dip or fruit with yogurt for a delicious treat and healthy snack option. By providing these choices to your staff directly, you show that you care about their physical and mental health. Stressing over what to eat and preparing enough food for the day can be overwhelming. What if all your employees always had a great snack close at hand to enjoy when they need it most?
Snack Time Offers an Opportunity to Connect With Other Staff
Did you know that some companies are implementing mandatory no-meeting times just for the purpose of helping their staff create healthy relationships? And what better way to enjoy a good conversation than around food? Offering healthy snacks is often part of employee wellness initiatives that go above and beyond the typical options. Instead of vending machines filled with candy, they offer fridges filled with delicious and healthy choices. Who wants to eat alone? Not many people. So why not have snack time so people can get up, move, and connect with the people they work with?
Workplace Snack Options That Support a Healthy Lifestyle
You may be wondering what you could possibly offer at work. Fill a fridge with snacks like cut vegetables, hummus or meat dip, yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh berries, and even fresh-pressed juices. Keep bowls of fruit in high traffic areas or in the staff kitchen. Offer whole-grain crackers with cheese slices. Provide a variety of nut butter and sun butter. You can even provide beef jerky without all the fillers and additives.
