Usually, it is companies that lend a helping hand to schools in preparing students for the work world. Well, now the tables have turned. The business world can learn a thing or two from schools when it comes to developing healthy eating habits. I recently read about a local Seattle elementary school that has BANNED cupcakes at school for celebrations and is finding other ways to raise money without selling cookies or candy bars. Many will think the school is just a bunch of party poopers by taking away the cakes and cupcakes, but I was happy to see the administration taking this innovative approach. The sooner we can move away from high processed – low nutritional value foods, the faster our health care system will start to right itself. Not to mention, learning these healthy habits at a young age will help these kids to succeed in life.
The average employed person will spend 2,000 hours at work a year (assuming the basic 2 weeks of vacation are taken). With so much time spent in the office (usually sitting), it is to be expected that people will eat while at work. The problem arises when you have a constant stream of poor foods to choose from, whether it be from the vending machine, the company cafeteria, company lunch deliveries, or all the leftover candy and treats brought into work from October through April. Don’t forget the weekly or monthly birthday and anniversary celebrations. These poor food sources actually create more cravings for food from the lack of nutritional value. Here is a list of the office culprits that lend to the average worker putting on 5 – 10 pounds a year: Bagels, donuts, cookies, cupcakes and birthday cakes, potato and tortilla chips, and the biggest of all – sodas.
The New Face of Party Food
From a company perspective, supplying these types of so-called “foods” and rewards only compounds the health problems and affects employee productivity. (Just think sugar crash and bobbing heads, while reaching for a caffeinated beverage to stay awake at their desk.) I’m not saying to stop celebrating your successes in the office or recognizing your employees’ contributions, it is important that management and employees be more aware of the foods they select for these parties. The goal for companies is to put people in the position to succeed by managing the environmental factors that affect their employees. If you add the cost of your health insurance premiums and related monthly chronic disease (e.g. Diabetes, obesity) costs to your cheap unhealthy celebration foods, you will find that it will be cheaper and more productive in the long run to move to more nutrient dense foods for your parties. Replace the chips and sodas, cupcakes and pies with fresh fruit, nuts and water, while helping employees realize their potential through healthy habits. You can still have your candle, singing, and celebration, just replace the cupcake with a fresh bowl of mixed fruit and see how you feel later in the day!
For more information on the elementary school program visit: