The benefits of
better nutrition

Recently, there’s been a noticeable shift towards employers focussing on the mental wellbeing of their people, which is positive progress, as the evidence has shown how beneficial it can be to employee’s mental health and productivity. When it comes to food and nutrition, however, there is still a way to go in raising awareness of the impact it can have on your workplace.

There is now evidence that makes a clear link between nutrition and mental health. In simplistic terms, what we eat directly affects the structure and function of our brains and ultimately, our mood.

High-quality foods with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourish the brain, while unhealthy foods can have the opposite effect. For example, studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function, which also increases mood disorder symptoms, like depression.
Plus, eating well helps prevent and manage obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

So, if we know how important nutrition is to a healthy mind, it’s worth taking the time to make sure your staff are equipped with the knowledge and resources to make sure they’re operating at their best.

A better vision of nutrition — how to promote healthier eating.

There are some practical steps you can take to help encourage, and raise awareness of, healthier eating.

Providing healthy options
If you provide food for your employees — in meetings, worksites, vending machines, or social functions — you could introduce a policy to ensure there are always healthy food and drink options.

Making better eating, easier
Offer your staff access to safe and clean food storage and preparation facilities, like a fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle — with appropriate cutting, heating and storing accessories, like cling film. For offsite workers this could include eskies, cooler bags, thermoses, and water coolers.

Reducing unhealthy options
At regular morning teas, meetings or events, include alternatives for (or replace entirely) food and drinks high in added sugars, salt, and saturated fat — like biscuits, soft drinks, potato chips, chocolates, or cake.

Educating and assessing
You can hold nutrition classes and seminars to help your employees better understand the importance of good nutrition and get tips on how to improve their diet. This could also include promotional and educational materials, and even a health risk assessment.

Professional advice
Your workplace employee assistance programs (EAPs) are extremely helpful with goal setting and behaviour change. This is perfect for anyone who wants specific information related to their diet or circumstances or is curious to learn more.

Creating regular group exercise sessions
Movement is the other important factor in being healthy. And in conjunction with a good diet, regular exercise makes a significant difference to physical and mental health. People are more motivated to be involved in group activities, especially when their direct colleagues (and superiors) are keen to take part.

Posters and promotion
You can use signage and other internal comms messaging to encourage healthier eating, promote the benefits and offer tips — like encouraging using the stairs instead of the lift, for example. You can also provide examples of healthy, local food providers.

On-site demonstrations
To get more group engagement, invite a chef or health professional to run onsite seminars or cooking demonstrations on making healthy food, including recipes and meal preparation.

Boosting moods and productivity

The types of food and drink we put into our bodies play a major role in our health, our overall mood, and our ability to sustain the energy and concentration we need while at work. Promoting healthy eating in the workplace isn’t a hard sell either, as the benefits are obvious and almost immediate.

The simple truth is, eating healthy food helps us get through each day with more energy and helps contribute to better general health and wellbeing, including mental wellbeing. Taking a healthier approach to nutrition (and general health) makes for a happier, and more productive, workforce.  And the more positive and confident you feel about adopting some of the above tips, the more likely your employees are to get involved and change behaviour.

[1] Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food – Harvard Health
Sources
Nutrition | Healthy Workplaces
Healthy Workplaces • The Nutrition Source

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