Does your workplace eating culture need an overhaul?
Do you find that employees are skipping lunches or eating at their desks and start feeling sluggish in the afternoon? Have you considered making intuitive and mindful eating part of your health and wellbeing initiative for 2024?
On average we spend 13 years or 90,000 hours at work across the lifespan, so what we eat and how we eat at work will have an impact on our health and sense of wellbeing and that of our employees.
The ‘Cogent Business & Management’ reports that employees practicing mindful eating exhibit a 20% increase in focus and job satisfaction. Implementing this approach can be challenging in a busy work environment. Despite these challenges, the benefits of mindful eating in reducing overeating, enhancing digestion, and improving mental clarity make it a valuable practice in corporate wellness.
In Japanese culture, mindful eating and satisfaction with food is deeply rooted in the mindful practice of “Hara Hachi Bu” or “Eat until you are 80% full.” This practice encourages individuals to stop eating when they feel comfortably satisfied but not overly full, fostering a deep connection between the mind and body during meals.
In our North American culture, Intuitive Eating, which uses mindful eating principles and is deeply rooted in body respect and body trust,. is an evidence-based framework developed by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch.
What is intuitive eating?
- A non-diet approach that shifts the focus from weight to well-being
Rooted in body respect and body trust - Encourages listening to body cues of hunger and satiety in a timely manner
- Unconditional permission to eat all foods
- Builds a healthy relationship with food and one’s body
In the workplace, intuitive eating promotes weight inclusivity, supports a healthy relationship with food and one’s body, builds social connections at mealtimes while increasing focus and job satisfaction.
The fundamental principle of the intuitive eating approach centers around finding satisfaction in our food choices. This involves asking ourselves what we genuinely want to eat without experiencing guilt. The process also emphasizes mindful eating, encouraging individuals to consume food one bite at a time. Additionally, the practice incorporates the mindfulness technique of gratitude to enhance presence during mealtimes. Ideally, this approach includes the act of sharing a meal with others for a more holistic experience.
What can you do as a leader to incorporate intuitive eating principles in your workplace?
- Re-think your current eating environment
- Create an inviting and pleasant dining space with soothing music and wall displays, flowers, placemats and appealing plates and cutlery
- Encourage a workplace environment that supports taking meal breaks
- Provide enough time for employees to mindfully eat their lunch away from their desk
- Implement intuitive and mindful eating challenges
- Offer Mindful Eating Workshops: Educate employees about the benefits and techniques of mindful eating.
- Promote healthy eating options – make nutritious foods readily accessible
- Offer personalized wellness or nutrition coaching to support employees on their individual journey towards more intuitive eating practices.
Intuitive and mindful eating principles not only promote a sense of wellbeing for your employees but also tie into embracing a culture of weight inclusivity and body acceptance as they promote a healthy relationship and satisfaction with food.
For more information to discuss group or individual coaching with one of our dietitians around how to implement intuitive eating in your workplace, please contact us at [email protected]
If you’d like to discuss and learn more about how to implement intuitive eating in your workplace, please reach out to us at [email protected]
Author: Bettina Mackenbach
Coach and Dietitian Team Lead, BSC, Registered Dietitian Team Lead, Registered Dietitian & Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Bettina works with clients and also takes an active role in the development of new program and webinar content, as well as workshop delivery. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Bettina brings over 20 years of experience ranging from working as a clinical dietitian, in executive wellness, pre-and post-natal community nutrition, long-term care and coaching clients through all stages of life.
Bettina uses a client-centered and evidence-based approach, holding the client accountable and facilitating the process of self-discovery with focus on self-talk and self-compassion, tools that help support her clients in pursuing a happier, healthier, and more balanced life