Healthy Eating in the Workplace

When you ask employees about their major health concerns, healthy eating and disease prevention always seems to be at the top of the list. Nourishing food and good nutrition are vital to an employee's overall health and well being. Since employees spend a large portion of their day at the workplace, and eat at least 1 meal or snack at work, employers can play a key role in promoting healthy eating.

Workplaces are an ideal setting for promoting healthy eating, as they provide a variety of on-site opportunities to positively influence employee eating habits and the food choices available in the workplace.
There are many benefits to the workplace for offering a comprehensive program:

• Increased employee productivity and morale
• Healthier employees
• Reduced absenteeism, medical claims and disability costs
• Enhanced corporate image and reputation

Nutrition Works

Nutrition Works is a free healthy eating program available to eligible workplaces in York Region.

The Nutrition Works program was developed based on best practice research. Research shows that an effective nutrition program includes:

• A comprehensive approach with multiple strategies
• Activities targeting the employee and the nutrition environment in the workplace
• A partnership approach to planning and implementation (i.e., support and involvement at every employee level including senior management)
• A commitment to a longer-term, more intense program

Nutrition Works offers customized strategies to improve the nutritional health of your workplace including consultation around the food choices available in your cafeteria, vending machines or served at meetings. Visit the Nutrition Services web section for more detailed information about Nutrition Works program.

If your workplace is interested in receiving the Nutrition Works program, please complete the Nutrition Works Screening Tool to learn what action steps are needed for a successful nutrition program and determine your workplace's eligibility for the program.
 

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For more information, please contact
York Region Health Connection at 1 800 361-5653, TTY 1-866-252-9933