Tips for improving employee eating habits

Office wellness programs are not only for teaching employees to exercise, they are also a very important step in improving an employee's eating habits. Many people aren't sure what a calorie is, or which foods would be better for their body. If employers offer a wellness program that teaches their employees about how to make good food choices and how to eat healthy every day, an employer can help improve their employees' eating habits.

Eat breakfast every day

Employers should encourage employees to eat breakfast each day. By eating breakfast, employees are starting their day off right. Eating breakfast starts a person's metabolism and helps them to be more alert and ready to work.

Eat a variety of foods

A wellness program can teach employees the importance of eating a variety of foods each day. All foods have different vitamins and minerals to offer. When an employee eats a variety of foods each day, they also get the vitamins and minerals that they need for a healthy body.

Limit fat and sugar

Employees should also limit the foods that they eat that are high in fat and sugar. These foods can lead to heart disease and diabetes and cancer, among other horrible disease. Employers can encourage employees to limit these foods by changing the foods that are offered in the office vending machines, or in the office cafeteria. When the office decides to have a celebration, they could eliminate the celebration cake and serve frozen yogurt, or another healthy substitute. If the office likes to have potlucks, employers should encourage the employees to bring healthy foods for their dish. Employers can also help employees improve their eating habits by making the break room a place to be. If the break room is a happy place to spend time, employees may decide to bring their lunch and eat in the office instead of choosing to eat out at a restaurant during their lunch period. Employers can put games such as foosball or darts in the break room to make it more appealing to employees.

Eating out

The office wellness program should also contain information about how to eat healthy when employees do decide to eat out at a restaurant. There are some restaurants that are better choices than other restaurants. There are also better choices of salads, soups, and entrees at each restaurant compared to other choices. Employees can be encouraged to share an entrée or take half of it home for another meal. Another healthy eating habit is to not even order an appetizer or dessert. This is extra food that an employee does not need to eat when they go out.

Eating meals together

Employees should be taught to have at least one meal a day with their family or friends. Sitting down to a table with friends and/or family can encourage a person to eat less than they would if they were alone. It is also a great opportunity for bonding and for parents to teach their children to eat good foods. If the employees have a family with children they can be an example. By having the responsibility of being a good example to their children of someone who eats healthy, the employee can take the information that they learn from their wellness program at work and turn it into everyday habits.