The science behind feeding your employees

People have known for centuries that you have to eat well to be well. Over time, interest in healthy eating developed into the science of nutrition. This has long been leveraged in competitive sports. It’s now increasingly being used by employers. Here’s what you need to know about the science behind feeding your employees.

Better fuel means better performance

Fundamentally, the science behind feeding your employees is exactly the same as the science behind feeding athletes. You’re giving them high-quality fuel so they can deliver their best performance. By extension, this means that you’re less likely to have to deal with issues of poor performance and health-related absences.

By taking ownership of providing food for them, you’re avoiding the risks linked with them not taking proper care of themselves. You’re also encouraging more social behaviour between employees. This is generally exactly the reason why employers want employees on-site at least some of the time.

Fibre and protein stop employees from getting hangry

Think of any classic breakfast dish and it’s practically guaranteed to be based on fibre and protein. For example, healthy breakfast cereals are based on whole grains and milk. The grains are the fibre and the milk is the protein.

Unfortunately, modern culture (and its pace) can push your employees towards minimising their intake of fibre and protein. Foods that are rich in fibre and protein generally take longer to prepare and/or eat than processed foods. They can also be relatively expensive to buy individually and difficult to eat on the go.

Craig Sellars, Operations Manager at Workplace Refreshments, specialists in office food deliveries in Nottingham added, “Running a breakfast club at your workplace is one way to make sure that all employees get the best possible start to their day. This helps with their focus and their overall well-being. In particular, it can deal with hanger pangs that can otherwise create friction in the workplace.”

Healthy snacks can top up energy levels

There is an old adage about only eating three meals a day and not snacking in-between them. Like many old adages, it isn’t exactly wrong. It just doesn’t work perfectly for everyone. In fact, many people find they need to snack between meals to top up their energy levels.

This is most likely in the middle of the morning and the middle of the afternoon. These are well-known “slump” periods when people just feel drained of energy. Many cultures acknowledge this and make these times official breaks.

The UK used to do this with “elevenses” and the mid-afternoon tea-break. These might be traditions to bring back. If that doesn’t fit with your work schedule, you could still provide your staff with healthy snacks to fill them up.

Vitamins and minerals bring all kinds of benefits

There are 13 essential vitamins and at least 16 minerals that humans need to get through diet as the body cannot manufacture them itself. These vitamins and minerals cover a huge range of functions. If a person is lacking in them, their health is likely to suffer and hence so will their performance at work.

Many foods provide some vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of them. This means that providing fresh fruit in the workplace can really boost your employees’ health. You might even want to provide some vegetables too. For example, tomatoes, mange tout and baby corn are often much enjoyed as snacks.

Coffee is always welcome

Coffee may not technically be food but many people think of it as fuel. Those who don’t probably drink tea. Providing both at the office gives your employees an easy way to satisfy their caffeine cravings. It can also help to create a more welcoming atmosphere in the workplace.