All employees and employers want increased productivity. One way to increase productivity and be more efficient at work is to eat healthy and stay physically active. Healthy eating and exercise also improve health, well-being and optimize well-being.
Another part of a healthy lifestyle is understanding your family history with regards to medical conditions and chronic illnesses. It’s important to know your health genealogy so that you understand which diseases and conditions you may be more at risk of developing. This way you can take the best steps to take care of your health.
Healthy eating is important for everyone, regardless of your genetics. Making good food choices can not only reduce your risk of contracting many diseases, but can also improve health and well-being, as well as increase productivity at work and at home.
Nutrition and performance at work
It’s no surprise that our diet can affect performance at work. Eating a healthy diet with lots of foods that give us energy and provide vitamins and minerals has a number of benefits for employees. These benefits include improved energy levels, increased productivity, better focus, increased focus, and fewer employee sick days.
Have you ever had a sugary snack during the mid-afternoon crisis and felt even more tired after eating? The crash you experience afterward is the result of an unhealthy snack choice.
A snack that is high in sugar can give us a brief boost in energy with the rise in blood sugar, but as soon as our blood sugar drops we may feel drowsy again. Plus, carbohydrates and sugar don’t stay in our stomachs as long as protein and fat, so they can leave us hungry faster.
Some of us may consume caffeine throughout the day to gain some energy, focus, or focus. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can help improve focus and focus. Moderate consumption of caffeine from coffee and tea can also have health benefits.
So while caffeine has its benefits, it is not without its drawbacks. Consuming caffeine later in the day can interfere with sleep. It can also increase anxiety or agitation in some people.
Relying on sugar or caffeine can increase our energy and productivity in the short term, but there are also reasons to reconsider our snack choices and not to abuse caffeine intake. It can be easy to replace these options with healthy snacks.
Is snacking healthy?
There are definite benefits to snacking on during the day. Healthy snacks are a great opportunity to get the nutrients you may be missing, like fiber, protein, vitamins, or minerals. Healthy snacks can help lower your cholesterol, which in turn can help lower life insurance rates.
Let’s say you don’t like to eat a big breakfast because you’re not hungry or in a rush to get out. It can be several hours before you have time to eat your breakfast, so a mid-morning snack will help you get nutrients and keep you in shape until lunchtime.
Snacks are important for children because they have smaller stomachs and may not eat as much during meals. It is also an opportunity to help them get the vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients they need for their bodily functions.
Snacking gets a bad rap because some snack foods are highly processed and lack nutrients. Chips, cookies, and candy may seem like snacks, but they only provide extra sugar, calories, fat, and sodium.
Examples of healthy snacks
A healthy snack should include at least two food groups and contain nutrients, fiber, and protein. Fiber makes us feel fuller, and protein takes longer to digest, which also helps us feel fuller for longer. Fats can be included in snacks, but they should primarily come from heart-healthy unsaturated fats.
Fruits and vegetables are always great as a snack. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and high in vitamins and minerals. Many Americans don’t get enough fruits and vegetables, which is why snacks provide another opportunity to consume these two important food groups.
Many also contain antioxidants to help improve health and prevent disease. Eating a lot of these two food groups can also boost immunity, which means fewer sick days for employees. Pair your favorite fruits or vegetables with a source of protein for a well-balanced option.
Here are some examples of healthy snacks that will keep you energized and productive throughout the day. All of these snacks contain fiber, protein, two food groups, and many other vitamins and minerals.
- Greek yogurt with berries
- Apple slices and string cheese
- Celery with peanut butter
- Raspberry Skimmed Chocolate Milk
- Nuts, cheese cubes and a sliced banana
- Red peppers and hummus
- Sliced avocado with edamame
- A hard-boiled egg with raisins
- Low fat cottage cheese with blueberries
- Lean turkey or ham with whole grain crackers
- Sliced kiwi with low fat yogurt
- A side salad with chickpeas, carrots and tomatoes mixed with olive oil and vinegar
- Cucumber slices with tuna
Many of these snacks are also kid-friendly, which can help improve the health of your whole family.
Snack programs for employees
Some businesses or organizations may have the option of providing office snacks to employees. It’s a great idea and can save money and time as long as there are healthy options.
Easy access to snacks is one way to create a comfortable office work culture. Healthy snack options may take a little more preparation and creativity, but they will benefit employee health in the long run.
Remote snacks for employees
When working remotely or from home, it can be tempting to dive into the fridge or pantry. If you have a more flexible work schedule, it may be easier to eat out and out all day instead of sticking to regular meals and snacks.
A good tip is to have healthy snacks on hand and limit unhealthy options. It starts with your grocery store. Make a list of the foods you need for your healthy snacks during the week and use it at the supermarket.
You can also set an alarm or a timer for snacks and meals. This will help you keep a regular schedule and not be out of the kitchen at random times throughout the day. Keep chips, treats, cookies, and other processed snacks out of the house or limit consumption of these options.
Healthy snacks are just one way to keep employees healthy and stay productive and efficient. By providing healthy snacks or educating employees on how to plan and prepare healthy snacks, you improve the health of your entire business.
Melissa Morris writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, USInsuranceAgents.com. She holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science, is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and ISSN Certified Sports Nutritionist.