Improve Productivity With Food

Want to perk up the mood around your workplace and create a healthier bottom line for your company?

Take your employees out to lunch or provide them with a healthy snack.

The right ingredients can give a boost in energy and attitude that can’t be beat.

And studies show that a healthy diet also boosts productivity: Employers spend billions each year in lost productivity due to obesity-related diseases such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

To help employees strive and maintain a healthy mood and BMI, try offering these lunch suggestions:

Low-fat chicken wrap (hold the high-fat mayo and cheese). A few ounces of lean protein in a tortilla can help the brain produce chemicals that keep it sharp and that reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. Add vegetables for extra crunch and flavor.

Salad tossed with sesame seeds. Sesame seeds add crunch and flavor, and they are also high in magnesium, which helps the body cope with stress and helps regulate blood pressure. So a small handful of sesame seeds is a great snack when working under pressure.

Grilled salmon or sushi. A Finnish study found that a diet high in fish helps ward off depression. Certain types of fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for both mind and body.

A couple of ounces of chocolate. Chocolate contains many chemicals that calm stress and put you in a good mood. For the best benefits and the least fat, make it dark chocolate.

Pineapple chunks or berries. Antioxidants in colorful fruits such as blueberries and pineapple may help improve memory and brain function.

Consider catering lunch once a week; offering healthy snacks in place of high-sugar, high-fat vending machine fare; or working with a local restaurant to offer a discount on salads, wraps and other healthy choices.

What you spend in providing employees with good-for-you food choices will be paid back with a better workplace mood and higher productivity.