Improve the health of your employees
Published: 03 March 2016
Do your employees tend to munch on snacks ‘al desko’? It could be because they’re skipping breakfast. According to research by Breakfast Week, one in 10 people do not eat the morning meal at all during the week while more than a third will skip it all together.
The study continued to reveal that 45 per cent of those who skip breakfast feel hungry mid-morning, 30 per cent complain of being tired and lacking energy, and 14 per cent say it leaves them feeling grumpy.
Anna Mason, one of The Health Insurance Group’s health experts and founder of The Healthy Employee, comments: “Skipping meals, particularly when people are on a diet, is a classic misconception that you will lose weight and still be able to cope with a stressful, busy day.
“Food is our fuel and without it our bodies cannot function properly. We are frequently asking our bodies to run on little or inappropriate food and expect to be able to cope with the stresses and strains of a busy working life.
“Skipping breakfast can often result in low blood sugar, which will make us reach for a quick sugary snack for instant gratification and a boost. If this carries on, over time it will result in weight gain.
“At The Healthy Employee, we recognise that an individual is only as good as their last meal or snack. Research has also proven time and again that eating breakfast can improve concentration, moods and energy,” continues Anna.
Brett Hill, managing director of The Heath Insurance Group, comments: “There is now more onus on employers to encourage their staff to stay fit and healthy. This can be done in several ways, from introducing healthy snacks in the work place and removing high sugar-snack vending machines ¬– which are tempting during the afternoon lull – through to increasing the amount of water available to prevent dehydration and headaches, which can make people more likely to seek out a sugar fix.”
So, what are you waiting for? Stock your employee canteen with healthy treats and reap the rewards when it comes to productivity and motivation.
