3 ways to support healthy eating habits in the workplace

NUTRITION TIPS: Workplace efforts geared toward healthy eating can lead to more than healthcare cost savings for employers. Better dietary habits also help employees reduce stress , balance hormones and boost engagement and productivity.?

While ultimately, an employee's eating habits are a personal choice, employers can support their efforts to make healthier decisions through a personalized nutrition and meal planning resource that both educates and offers food suggestions specific to employees' needs, along with other workplace initiatives to help employees make better decisions.

A nutrition expert from Lifesum shares her top tips for healthy eating at work: 5 ways to help employees eat healthier at work

GUT HEALTH BENEFITS: Gastrointestinal (GI) issues are defined as any condition that affects the digestive tract, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux and hemorrhoids. Given the nature of GI conditions, it's often under-discussed in the workplace and even the doctor's office, making the road to diagnosis and treatment a long one. Treatment doesn't guarantee people will be able to return to normal either, says Sam Jactel , founder and CEO of Ayble Health , an employee benefit dedicated to gut health.?

"I'm a privileged white guy — I have been able to access a great gastroenterologist, and I've been able to afford it," says Jactel. "I have taken the drugs I was told to take and followed guidelines, and I've still been sick. I am not alone."

Here's how gut health benefits can improve employee well-being: Why employers should add gut health to their benefit offerings

MEAL PREP: Between work and family, it can be hard to find time to shop and cook a nutritious meal every day — so have some meals prepared in advance. This doesn't mean an individual needs to prepare every meal in advance, but it can help to identify when pre-made meals would make the biggest difference. As for breakfast and snacks, have quick foods employees can grab so they aren't letting themselves go hungry until lunch and dinner, like Greek yogurt and trail mix.

"The worst thing we can do is skip meals," says Kim Waters, nutrition and wellness instructor at Wellbeats Wellness, a product of LifeSpeak Inc. "Our energy drops, and we end up eating way more food than intended. If we leave ourselves hungry, we just don't tend to make the best choices."?

Stay fueled and focused all day with these top tips: Fitness, diet, and mental health tips to boost wellness in 2024