From this article you will learn:
- How does diet affect productivity and quality of work?
- What nutritional mistakes do employees make?
- How can the company provide them with support in healthy eating?
Did you know that... Johnson and Johnson has calculated that every dollar spent on employee health program, promoting healthy eating and physical activity, That's almost $3 savings for the employer? [1]
What aspects of work can diet affect?
- Higher efficiency
The data of the World Health Organization are clear: regular consumption of healthy meals increases work efficiency by about 20%. Another organization, the Health Enhancement Research Organization, has come to similar conclusions. She estimates that We are talking about 25% more efficiency. It is equally important regular intake of healthy fluids. It turns out that already slight dehydration (at the level of 2-3%, which is what we feel as dry throat) This results in a 20% reduction in work efficiency. [1] In short, a healthy diet is effective work.
- Lower absenteeism
We have already written about how important an aspect for every employee and the company as a whole is sick leave HERE Meanwhile, this is meals largely affect immunity and this in turn on the number of releases L4. A menu rich in vitamin C or unsaturated fatty acids comes to the rescue here.
- Better atmosphere
The absence of conflicts and unnecessary stressors is a better work of the whole team. Meanwhile, beverages so loved by employees — coffee and tea — have a negative effect on assimilation iron and magnesium, which are elements responsible for well-being or feeling stressed and tired. For good functioning at work, it is also necessary potassium, the lack of which can cause nervousness. So it can be seen that a well-balanced diet can realistically affect the improvement of the parameters that are responsible for the atmosphere in the company. And that translates into work and results.
- Higher quality
Lack of concentration can generate costly mistakes and, in extreme situations, even cause accidents at work. Carbohydrates are responsible for it, among other things. Complex ones (available, among others, in raw vegetables), significantly improve energy, while these Simple ones contribute to a feeling of drowsiness, a feeling of heaviness and problems with concentration. Concentration is also influenced by the hours of meals and specifically spacing between them. They should not be more than 3-4 hours. Otherwise, there may be a drop in blood glucose levels. The effect? Lack of concentration, lethargy, or irritability. [2]
What does the practice look like? The study showed that Of the 62% of workers who believed they were eating healthy, only 31% had a moderately healthy diet. [2]
Dietary main sins of Polish workers
- Eating breakfast too late
The study “Eating habits of working Poles”, carried out by the company DailyFruits, showed that up to 46% of working Poles eat breakfast too late. As a result, for much of the day, they are not as productive as people with healthy eating habits. [2]
- Not enough meals

In turn, an IPSOS study revealed that As many as 1/3 of Poles eat less than 2 meals throughout the working day. They usually reach for a second breakfast in the form of sandwiches, followed by sweet snacks. [4] Another study, commissioned by the recruitment service Monsterpolska.pl, shows an even more disturbing fact - 15% of Poles do not eat at all during the working day. [5]
- Snacks instead of fruits and vegetables
Mentioned already sweet snacks are another nutritional sin in Polish companies. Employees choose them instead of vegetables (which 41% of respondents do not eat regularly) whether fruit (which is not reached by 46% of employees on a daily basis). [2]
- Not enough fluids
The queen of office drinks remains coffee. However, in general, we have a problem with hydration. Respondents more than 50% do not drink enough fluids. [2]
- Eating at the desk
This habit, unfortunately, promotes haste (which translates into gastric problems) and choosing meals that will provide a quick energy “kick” - which usually means a solid dose of simple carbohydrates. meantime 2/3 of employees regularly eat their main meal right at the desk. [3] Not only does this translate to poor eating habits, but it is also extremely unhygienic and can cause conflicts in the team — especially since intense odors can irritate or distract.
So what can the company do?
Of course, the role of the company is not to impose a daily diet on employees. However, there are still many ways to draw their attention to this aspect. A large part of them is already successfully used by Polish entrepreneurs. However, let us remember that the key to success is synergy — only the right plan and the combination of many solutions will give the desired results. The second important rule is “nothing by force”, it is worth educating and creating opportunities for healthy solutions. Prohibitions and orders, for example, eating in certain places or hours can negatively affect the atmosphere in the company.

Healthy solutions for employees
- Snack vending machines
Snacks will appear in the office anyway, but we can have an impact on their quality. In the machines can appear, for example: nuts, dark chocolate, protein sweets without sugar or water, instead of bars and sugary carbonated drinks.
- Dietitian support
Experts are practically at your fingertips today, and the company can further facilitate the use of their support, for example in the framework of benefits. The MultiLife brand provides such a solution in the form of 30-minute consultations with a nutritionist, after which each interested person receives individual tips on their menu. Everything adapted to the lifestyle and needs of the person. More details HERE.
- Fruity days
Although fruity Tuesdays or Thursdays have already seen many jokes, they are still the perfect way to get employees used to reaching for healthy snacks. They definitely remain a better choice than, for example, pizza Friday - a custom that came to us from American startups.
- The Power of the Intranet
The intranet can be a real treasure trove of knowledge. Here you can post recordings of webinars, articles or links encouraging you to download safe and proven applications, such as the diet wizard MultiLife Diet, allowing meals to be adjusted to lifestyle and dietary restrictions, among other things.
- Canteen or kitchenette
A place to prepare and calmly eat meals is an ideal alternative to hastily eating them at the desk. It promotes not only healthy eating, but also integration between company departments that rarely see each other.
- Actions and gamification
It is worth generating opportunities for healthy eating. Therefore, in addition to the “fruit days”, healthy weeks can be introduced, in which employees listen to thematically selected webinars or take part in quizzes with prizes.
- Knowledge at every step
Useful information and incentives for healthy eating can be used in many places - for example, in the form of posters in the corporate cafeteria. It is important that education be accompanied by a light, free tone.
Whichever we choose, it is worth following three simple rules:
- Create opportunities — instead of prohibitions, introduce solutions and places in the company that promote healthy habits.
- Educate — a large part of mistakes are due to ignorance, it is worth creating a link between employees and experts.
- Plan — Fruity Tuesdays are not enough, health-promoting activities must be part of your company's strategic plan.
Sources:
- https://monitorurzedowy.pl/article/411/wplyw-odzywiania-na-efektywnosc-w-pracy
- https://www.pulshr.pl/rynek-zdrowia/zdrowa-dieta-poprawia-produktywnosc-pracownicy-o-tym-zapominaja,77621.html
- https://portal.abczdrowie.pl/spozywanie-jedzenia-w-pracy-przy-biurku-oslabia-produktywnosc-pracownikow
- https://posbistro.com/blog/pl/polacy-jedza-pracy/
- https://www.portalspozywczy.pl/dookola-rynku/wiadomosci/badanie-co-polacy-jedza-w-pracy,143558.html
- situ https://faktyozywnosci.pl/produkty-zwiekszajace-produktywnosc-mozgu/.