Food and nutrition in the workplace
A typical adult consumes about one third of their total daily food intake while they are at work. It is important to make sure that this food is healthy and nutritious so that employers and employees are productive and happy.
The workplace provides an opportunity to promote employee health by providing consistent messages and practices related to healthy eating.
The Ministry of Health Food and Nutrition Guideline statements for healthy adults have been developed to help New Zealanders eat a healthy variety of foods each day:
- plenty of vegetables and fruit
- plenty of breads and cereals, preferably wholegrain
- some milk and milk products, preferably reduced or low-fat
- some lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs or alternatives.
It is also important to:
- Prepare foods or choose foods with minimal added fat, sugar and salt.
- Drink plenty of fluids each day, especially water.
- If choosing to drink alcohol, limit your intake.
- Purchase, prepare, cook and store food to ensure food safety.
- Maintain a healthy body weight by eating well and daily physical activity.
As an employer or employee, you can help yourself and your colleagues to eat healthier foods at work by:
- developing a workplace nutrition policy
- negotiating healthier options in your catering contract
- providing healthy options in your snack box or vending machine
- providing nutrition education and information to staff.
Developing a workplace nutrition policy
Negotiating a catering contract
Snack boxes and vending machines
Resources
Healthy work meal ideas.
A quick, healthy, hot meal is easily achievable at work if you have the right equipment.
Place the following downloadable resources in your staff kitchens to provide healthy tips for staff:
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