The study performed in the United States had shown that food consumed at work was hazardous to health. This food contains big amount of salt and carbohydrates and insufficient amount of useful components. Most common mistakes office workers make are caffeine and dry food abuse. As a result this situation leads to nervous system overstrain on the one hand and stomach and intestines chronic diseases on the other hand. Scientists believe that workplaces should have better access to healthy food.
“The results suggest that the food people can get at work does not meet dietary guidelines,” said study co-author Stephen Onufrak, an epidemiologist from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. He has noted that this is the first Study in this matter and scale in the United States. These studies were presented at the annual conference of the American Society for Nutrition, held in Boston from 9 to 12 of July.
Scientists analyzed nutrition data for 5,200 employees. The authors analyzed food and drinks that people could purchase at vending machines and canteens, as well as food that could be taken at work for free. In addition, the researchers checked on the dishes and products offered at work events and meetings.
The most common food at the workplace were primarily presented with drinks (coffee, regular sweet carbonated drinks with lots of sugar, water, tea, diet drinks), sandwiches, sugar-containing products, the List was completed with cookies and cakes.
“Salad, French fries and Pizza are included in the List. It has very few kinds of food with high value of nutrition,” – CNN quotes Onufrack.
About a quarter of Study participants at work received about 1,300 calories per week. About 70% of this amount was at the Company’s expense.
When an employee spends more than half of his daytime hours at work, he is forced to eat unhealthy food and receive “empty” calories without nutritional value, scientists say.
Experts believe that employers should offer “workplace health programs” to promote healthy eating habits. In addition, a healthier choice should also be provided in vending machines and canteens. In case of a proper and balanced diet, the time between meals should not be more than 2.5 hours. When staying in the office for 8-9 hours, you need to have lunch and at least two snacks. The first is between breakfast and lunch and the second one between lunch and dinner. At the early start of working day the number of snacks might be up to 3-4, with a corresponding portion weight reduction.