Worksite Nutrition Programs

We know that eating healthy at work can be one of the hardest things you face on a daily basis and with other “more important” things taking up time in your agenda nutrition has taken a backseat for years. Now it is catching up to you and your health is suffering. There is help. More and more businesses are bringing in worksite nutrition programs to increase the health of their employees. A few of these programs will be laid out below. If your place of work does not have a program in place you could suggest one of these. If there is no option for a worksite program but you would still like advice on how you can eat health in the workplace, keep reading, we have information that will help you independently make better nutritional decisions.

Program I: 5 a Day, the Color Way (http://www.5aday.org/educators/wellness/index.php)
This is a program that your employer can purchase for the company as a whole. That purchase would include nutrition consultants, access to catalog products, and recipes for dishes that would add fruits and vegetables to your diet. Integrating colors into your lunch and snack items is key but this program also looks at meetings and seminars as being places where more vegetables and fruits can be served. Most of us would buy more of these foods if they were readily available. With the catalog in 5 a Day, the Color Way the company gets reduced prices for these kinds of foods and thus be more affordable for the employees.

Program II: California Fit Business Kit (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/CPNS/Pages/WorksiteFitBusinessKit.aspx)
This is a great, “covers all the bases” program that helps the employers change the environment of the employee so that healthy choices come easily. This program has you answer a few questions to understand the individual needs at the worksite. What kinds of foods are brought to meetings or placed in the staff lounge? Do the vending machines offer any healthy choices? Are there stairs at your workplace? Do you take the stairs? Are there any worksite walking clubs, or anything of this sort? Do you think others at work would be interested in these clubs?
All of these questions assess your workplace environment. After you have assessed then you can see where your worksite needs the most help. This program lays out what you can do to improve your worksite and hold you self-accountable with contracts.

Program III: Portion Plate (http://www.theportionplate.com/abouttheplate.html)
The Portion Plate is just that, a plate that labels the portion guidelines of a meal according to American Medical Association. The Plate is sectioned into three parts. One section is for fruits and vegetables. This is also the largest of the three sections taking up half of the plate. The next section is for grains. It is suggested to use whole grains instead of refined (white) bread, rice, cereal or pasta. The last section is for lean meat. You will be amazed at the difference portions will make at your workplace and in your life.

Independent Program
There is a simple way to incorporate one or all of the programs listed above into your workplace. Your best bet to limit the temptation for unhealthy options is to prepare your meals before you get to work. This will require a bit of planning on your part.
Start with the portion plate and prepare a lunch (or meal) that meets the plates guidelines. Then look at your meal and add two snacks that would help fulfill the 5 a Day, the Color Way guidelines. Being diligent and repetitive with this everyday will surely get you on the right tract to achieving better nutrition. If you have kids that also pack their lunches this would be the perfect opportunity to have a little friendly competition to see who can pack the most color or who can stay within the portion plates lines the best.
come easily. This program has you answer a few questions to understand your individual needs as a worksite.

For more information on these programs, contact the Clay County Health Department, 800 Haines DriveLiberty, MO 64068: Phone (816)595-4200.

References:

Behavioral risk factor surveillance system [Data file]. (2007). Retrieved August 27, 2008, from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss/age.asp?cat=PA&yr=2007&qkey=4419&state=MO.