Why I Love Those “Don’t Snack in the Workplace” Articles

Now and again someone rings the alarm with a provocatively-titled article, calling for the immediate end to workplace snacking - something along the lines of, “Stop Giving Your Employees Snacks.”

These articles all follow a similar script. They describe in-office food that “expands employee waistlines.” They often cite a CDC report on food and beverages at work. There’s the inevitable Google / Silicon Valley reference.

Friends sometimes send me articles like these, asking, does this story worry you?

And the truth is -

Not in the least.

Seriously.

For starters, I’m passionate about our mission here at SnackNation. We’re here to change the way people live, work, and play by inspiring more conscious food decisions. Nutrition has an outsized influence on your overall wellbeing and productivity, and there’s nothing that affects your nutrition more than how you snack. Recent data shows that 94% of consumers snack at least twice daily, and that snacking accounts for 50% of all eating occurrences.

That’s why I always invite healthy (pun intended) dialogue around these issues. The more people are thinking and talking about health, productivity, engagement, and wellness, the better - no matter what the entry point to the conversation happens to be.

What’s more - I tend to agree with these articles.

The irony is that while our conclusions appear diametrically opposed, we are in fact saying much of the same things.

Most are premised on the idea that employers should not provide their employees free access to junk food.

And of course... I agree with that!

The thing is, snacks do not equal junk food. One of the best parts of my job is that I get to be a champion of the brands who are working hard to change our food system. These are entrepreneurs and teams committed to providing snacks made with clean ingredients, and that support you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself.

I'm talking about Skinny Dipped, a family-run business from Seattle whose dark chocolate-coated almonds are a great healthier indulgence (with only a fraction of the sugar of conventional chocolate-dipped nuts); Livio Bisterzo and the Hippeas team, who make a fantastic chip and puff alternative; Vincent Kitirattragarn and the folks at Dang Foods, who just came out with new keto-friendly, plant-based Dang Bars; Dave Asprey and the Bulletproof team, whose Bulletproof Bars are almost like a mini meal replacement; and so many more.

And that CDC report cited in so many of these articles? Well, it’s also looking at unhealthy food and beverages in the workplace (and not just snacks). It concludes that access to “pizza, soft drinks, cookies/brownies, cakes and pies, and candy” is detrimental to worker health. Who would argue against that?

Where my point of view tends to differ is in the execution.

I’m a firm believer that in order to be an agent of change, you have to meet people where they are.

People are snacking more frequently, so give them access to great tasting, healthy snacks. Top talent expects free food at work, so make sure that the food you give them supports their health and wellbeing, and increases their productivity to boot.

When you give someone a meaningful path to change for the better, you shouldn’t be surprised when they do.

All it takes is a little conversation.

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave me a comment below.