British health experts have issued a health warning pertaining to the "Super Size" phenomenon in hospitality establishments. Yes, it has finally reached the UK. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) states that 'two-for-one' or 'meal deal' offers encourage people to eat too much. Even though this super size trend is "old news" in the US, we have a headache that our buddies across the pond get to ignore - a hamburger today can equal a big fat medical bill for your company tomorrow.
When dining out, eating fast food or in a rush, the pressure to finish everything on the plate can lead to overeating. Most restaurants will serve more food than the body needs. When employees hustle back to their desks, take-out in hand, to tackle their afternoon work, their inattention to what's on their plate could easily lead to regular overeating and significant weight gain.
Compare the difference in serving size (and calories) of some food and drinks 20 years ago versus today:
It doesn't cost a great deal to provide employees with quick handouts about smart tips for eating out, and most health carriers will offer you such materials for free. Here's a classic: ask for a box before your food comes out. When your meal comes you can put some of the food in the box before you start eating and set it aside (out of sight, out of mind). When you finish the food on your plate, if you're still hungry, open the box and go for it. If not then you have some delicious leftovers for tomorrow.
Also, employees who haven't eaten breakfast may literally be starving by lunch - at least their body thinks they are in calorie deficit. In addition, their lowered blood sugar is not exactly enhancing great brain or work performance. When they do hit the cafeteria or the fast food cart down the street, their body will be crying out for calories, and their brain will undoubtedly give in to satisfy cravings for high sugar, high fat foods that will scratch the itch.
So let's get creative here, which employees want to be the most well liked? The dreaded candy bowl types. What about an unusual perk where the company actually pays a fruit stipend to those employees - leaving little fruit bowls scattered around the office? Also just plain old providing a bowl of fresh fruit at the front desk or in break rooms will allow employees' brains to stay powered up between breakfast and lunch and will satisfy their cravings in a much healthier fashion.
Do you currently offer healthy alternatives in your cafeteria at a subsidized rate, or provide fresh and healthy snacks as alternatives to soda pop and high sugar drinks (yes, juice is high sugar)?
Editor's Note - It's hard to be humble when you're bloggin' straight out of Portland, Oregon. Tanya Barham is the Founder and CEO of Recess Wellness, a company where all the staff works like little elves at Christmastime to transform their client's workplaces into healthy, happy, productive places akin to Santa's workshop at the North Pole. Seriously. Of course, Santa's fat, so they still have work to do.
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