What does a healthy workplace eating culture look like?

Feeling hungry can be a huge distraction during the day for many employees

BY John Hilton 08 Feb 2018

What we eat and drink at work has a major influence on our long-term health and wellbeing, according to Conor Reynolds, Director, Snackwize.

“Most of us spend nine hours a day at work, and if during that time we’re making unhealthy food and drink choices it’s going catch up with us,” he told HRD.

“Most people think that the trick to eating well at work is learning to resist temptation, but you’re fighting a losing battle.”

This is particularly true when you’re time-poor, stressed out and a chocolate bar from the vending machine is tasty and quick to grab.

“But if the vending machine only had on offer healthy snacks and drinks then that’s the selection you’ll pick from,” he added.

“Workplaces have the power to make healthy eating a priority for their staff and the more convenient option.

“This is why they play such a critical role in modern day health and wellbeing.”

So how do you spot companies who value their employees’ health and wellbeing?

“They are the ones providing dedicated lunch areas for employees to step away from their work and enjoy their meal,” said Reynolds.

“They provide healthy and convenient food options like healthy snacks and fruit drop.”

These things may sound expensive, but when employees embrace the right nutrition and take the time to check-in with themselves during the day, the outcome is better productivity and results, less absenteeism, and a much happier office environment.

“If you take a moment to digest that 96% of Australians snack, and that 46% of us snack in favour of a lunch time meal, there’s never been a more important time to provide healthy snacks in the workplace,” said Reynolds.

“Feeling hungry and then having to worry about what you’re going to eat and where you’ll get it from is a huge distraction during the day for many employees.”

Reynolds added that Snackwize takes the stress and guess-work out of what you’re going to snack on, by conveniently delivering healthy snack boxes monthly to your office.

“Our snacks are preservative-free and full of protein and good fats to keep you satiated, feeling good, and performing at your peak, rather than hungry again an hour later and exhausted from the dreaded sugar crash,” he said.

“It’s easy to dismiss snacking as just trivia, but it has been shown that snacking influences the rest of your eating habits more than any other food category.

“In a lot of ways, healthy eating starts with healthy snacking.”