5 nutrition tips for your wellness program

1. Make it policy to serve nutritious food at work events

If your workplace has vending machines, a cafeteria, or a food court, consider establishing nutrition standards or, at a minimum, provide healthful options. Since breaking barriers to healthful options is half the battle, GEICO worked with on-site cafeterias to supply black bean chili, vegetable hummus sandwiches, and leafy green salads to its employees. This ensures its staff always has a healthful option, regardless if they pack their lunch or need a nutritious snack between meetings. [Images: Shutterstock]

2. Get creative and try new foods together.

A recent study from the Physicians Committee shows the more vegetables and fruits young adults consume, the happier, calmer, and more energetic they feel. Here are a few meal suggestions for in-office nutrition:

Bean dips and fresh vegetables, smoothies, or assorted nuts and dried fruits are perfect snacks during or between meetings.

Desserts can be smarter, too. At a recent celebration, Physicians Committee employees enjoyed doctor-approved chocolate brownies made without dairy, eggs, or sugar. The secret ingredients? Black beans, dates, and raspberry jam!

3. Identify your foodies and health nuts.

Every organization has them. Those team members who thrive on culinary adventures or always have carrot sticks in their lunch bag. Involve them in selecting catering menus, identifying and recommending healthful options at staffers favorite dining spots, and preparing food for company get-togethers. Consider outfitting your office kitchen with good quality knives for cutting fresh fruits and vegetables and a high-speed blender for whipping up nutrient-dense smoothies, soups, dips, and desserts.

4. Find a reliable source for nutrition information and educate your staff.

Everyone is sharing nutrition advice, and there is a lot of conflicting information out there about the latest miracle food or public health threat. Vet your sources, and then educate your staff.

Steve Wynn, the famous hotelier, changed his dietary habits in 2010 after he cut out meat and oil from his diet. His diet change allowed him to get off his cholesterol-lowering medication, and his enthusiasm soon spread to his senior management. He offered nutrition resources, including documentaries on diet and health, and collaborated with chef Tal Ronnen to create plant-based meal options at his Wynn resorts in Las Vegas.

5. Lead by example.

Instead of rewarding an employee for a job well done with a gift certificate to a local steak house, give a gift certificate to a local farmers market or health food store. Talk to your staff about the companys health insurance costs, and collaborate on ways to encourage and support healthful eating habits. Is it potlucks with prizes for the healthiest and tastiest dish? Could it be nutrition challenges or health competitions with incentives or rewards? A Facebook page dedicated to a company health program or a bulletin board where participants can post favorite recipes, books, and apps, as well as share progress are also effective tools. Experiment and find what works for your organization.