When a workplace can help employees to make wise food choices, as part of a workplace health program, it can influence the person’s long-term health and wellness.
Together - healthy eating and active living - combined with a positive outlook can lead to:
While it's most important for an employer to provide a safe and healthy workplace, it's also important to encourage healthy lifestyles among their employees. Healthy eating programs can be an important step. They can bring lots of people together to learn how to improve their health both at work and at home. As always, these programs should be part of a complete workplace health program and should not take resources or attention away from workplace hazards that may be present.
Before you start:
No matter how much you plan or make people aware, healthy eating programs are voluntary - not everyone will join or be interested. Survey employees to help you decide what types and levels of programs to offer.
When planning a health program, be sure you know the interests of your audience. In this case:
Workplaces that are going to start a healthy eating program should focus on the main messages from the Canada's Food Guide. They should also make sure that wherever their employees get their food - whether its vending machines, canteens, or cafeterias - that these venues should offer some healthier food choices.
Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide suggests:
When offering nutrition information at the workplace, be sure to offer a wide range of options. Topics for programs may include:
Some more specific options for a workplace healthy eating program are:
Yes. Always remember that the workplace environment influences the health of its employees. For example, if a healthy eating program is offered, remember to look at where the employees eat their lunch. A safe and clean eating area is a requirement under most occupational health and safety laws. Beyond this, it is important to look at what is offered at vending machines and staff cafeterias. If you don't look at the larger picture to see how the workplace itself influences the eating patterns of the employees, the program will not work as well as it could.
Be sure the workplace supports healthy eating programs by providing time for employees to go to information sessions, offering appropriate foods in the cafeteria and vending machines, and by providing refrigerators and microwaves so that meals can be stored and prepared appropriately.
| Store in your desk or locker | Store in the fridge | On the Road |
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(Adapted from the article Healthy Snacks for Adults. Dietitians of Canada.)
| Situation | Try to Limit | Try Instead |
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| Meetings |
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| Vending machines / Catering Trucks |
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| Hectic Schedule / Long Hours |
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| On the road / Lunch Meetings |
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(Source: Dieticians of Canada)
In most cases, no. Most jobs today do not require the employee to eat any additional calories to compensate for physical activity at work. The exception may be very physical work such as people who lift or carry heavy loads most of the day, such as shovelling, sawing trees by hand, farm work, etc. If you have concerns about meeting your nutritional needs, ask a dietitian or your family doctor for advice.
A person working at a high pace or in a very hot environment loses water and salt through sweat. This loss should be made up by having the worker consume more water and salt. Fluid intake should equal fluid loss. On average, about one litre of water each hour may be required to replace the fluid loss. Plenty of cool (10-15°C) drinking water should be available on the job site and workers should be encouraged to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes even if they do not feel thirsty.
Many people opt for sport drinks, fruit juice, etc. Drinks specially designed to replace body fluids and electrolytes may be taken but for most people, they should be used in moderation. They may be of benefit for workers who have very physically active occupations but keep in mind they may add unnecessary sugar or salt to your diet. Fruit juice or sport and electrolyte drinks, diluted to half the strength with water, is an option. Drinks with alcohol or caffeine should never be taken, as they dehydrate the body. For most people, water is the most efficient fluid for re-hydration.
A worker used to, or acclimatized to, lifting heavy loads or working in the heat sweats more "efficiently" - they sweat sooner and sweat more, but they lose less salt in their sweat than labourers who are not used to such work. For this reason, the salt in a normal diet is usually enough to maintain the electrolyte balance - and keep the body working well. For unacclimatized workers who are not used to manual labour or working in the heat, and who will therefore lose more salt in their sweat, they may wish to use extra salt in food. Salt tablets are not a good idea, however, because the salt does not enter the body system as fast as water or other fluids. Too much salt can cause higher body temperatures and can also make someone feel thirsty or sick. Workers on salt-restricted diets should talk to their doctor about how much salt they need for their job.
Some drinks can cause more urine output than the amount of fluid consumed. Avoid or limit caffeinated drinks such as coffee and some sodas.
This document has covered some of the basics of a healthy eating program. For more information you may wish to contact one of the following:
Health Canada: The Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion - serves as a focal point for nutrition and has information on the following topics:
(Adapted from: Workplace Health and Wellness Guide. CCOHS)
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