Want to improve your mental health? Look at your lunch

NUTRITION: When most people think about mental health support, diet guidance may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet understanding the connection can improve well-being and reduce stress.?As employers look to improve their employees' overall wellness , diet habits can't be ignored.

"What you eat today will either empower or deplete your mental health tomorrow," says Wesleigh Roeca , workplace well-being director at Lifesum . "By nourishing ourselves with wholesome foods, we lay the foundation for greater engagement, productivity and overall well-being in and out of the workplace. A nutritious, balanced diet positively impacts our energy and mood, as well as our gut microbiota, which influences our mental well-being, and can help to lower stress levels."

Here's what to add to your plate to feel better in and out of work: 5 foods you can add to your diet to combat stress

WORKPLACE BONDING: Employees want to bond with their coworkers, but over half have lied to skip an after-hour event or snuck out early. Employers can encourage camaraderie — and grant autonomy over off-work hours — by making catered lunches the new time to mingle.

In line with employee demand for a better work-life balance, ezCater found that 68% said they would prefer to socialize with coworkers during the day, compared to after hours. Since 78% of those surveyed said they prefer bonding over food rather than over drinks, companies can seize the opportunity to provide a well-planned catered lunch instead.?

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HEALTHY HABITS: Ashley Tyrner - Dolce lived in a food desert 12 years ago, and has been fighting for equitable food access ever since. After working alongside President Barack Obama's senior adviser for nutrition policy, Sam Kass, to create nutrition-forward public programs within the administration, Tyrner went on to launch FarmboxRx in 2020, which now works to deliver nutritious foods to Medicaid and Medicare members with chronic conditions.?

"In America, diet-related disease is massive, whether that's type two diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease," says Tyrner. "Where you live, down to your zip code, can tell you better than anything what your health is going to be."

Here's how she's bringing healthy food to more employees in need: Food as medicine: This company delivers produce for Medicaid and Medicare members