Snacking at the Office
Offering employees snacks and meals throughout the day is becoming more and more common, especially in industries like tech where there is a lot of competition for talent. It can be a huge perk to employees to offer food at work. As an employer, offering snacks can improve office morale, help with talent acquisition, and increase employee retention. It can also contribute to increased productivity, provided that you are choosing the right snacks.
Skip the Sugar
Who doesn't like snacking on the occasional bag of chips or a chocolate bar? While those are easy snacks (and obviously enjoyed by many), if those are the only types of foods you're offering to employees, you may be missing the mark. While sugar may improve productivity in the short run, the energy rarely lasts and in some cases can leave people feeling more tired and sluggish than they were before.
Amp up the Nutrients
Snacking should be seen as a chance to add more nutrients into one's day. Snacks that include fibre can help fill you up, while those that include protein can help keep you feeling full for longer. Pairing fruits and vegetables which contain not only fibre, but also antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals with a protein source such as low-fat cheese, nuts, or yogurt is a great way to help you and your employees stay energized throughout the day.
Strike a Balance
If you already offer sugary snacks at the office and feel as though employees will revolt if they're removed, it's ok to have both. Having a healthy relationship with food means that sometimes it's ok to choose the less nutritious option. However, ensuring that there are healthy grab-and-go snacks on hand and prominently displayed allows employees to choose what they want.
Looking for healthy snack ideas that you can offer to your employees? Check out our free Dietitian-Approved Office Snacks.
2 Responses
June Jones
Great ideas. What are some good protein snacks that I could eat during the day?
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Nutrition IQ
November 12, 2018
You could try high protein yogurt like Greek or Skyr, nuts and seeds, veggies and hummus, hard-boiled eggs, or a glass of milk. Depends on what you have on hand.