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15 May 2020

Five ways to help employees improve their wellbeing through nutrition

Your brain never shuts off. Even as you sleep, it’s active, processing and filing away the day’s events (and possibly providing you with some surreal dreams as it does so.) It controls everything – your heartbeat, your breathing, your movement and your mood.

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It needs fuel in order to do so. Good fuel. High-quality food and good nutrition mean it can regulate its tasks more efficiently, and there are links between good nutrition and good mental health.

Globally, just over one in 10 people live with a mental health disorder. Since poor diet is a leading killer – and contributes to that mental health statistic – it’s a good idea to make sure you know what your body and brain need to eat in order to make your moods better.

Here are some things employees can include in their daily diet, which can boost their overall physical and mental health:

1. Fresh fruit and vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients that increase the functions of the brain. Two-thirds of people without mental health issues say they eat the recommended amount – or more – of fruit and vegetables daily. Of course, it’s important to make sure they’re fresh, crisps don’t count.

2. Wholemeal bread

Replace processed white bread with wholemeal, granary and rye. These have much higher nutritional values. It’s best to get these from a baker, rather than buying batch-processed loaves from a supermarket. A good local bakery will use much less in the way of additives and improvers – if they use them at all – and will be fresher.

3. Nuts and seeds

Increase your intake of nuts and seeds. Not only are these a much better snack than a chocolate bar or bag of sweets, they packed with fats which release energy slowly throughout the day. No more slumps or sugar crashes, which are enough to bring anyone’s mood down.

4. Try more fish

Fresh fish is full of omega-3 oils and fatty acids, which are essential for good brain health. Salmon, mackerel and herring are great for this, and they’re delicious, too. Helpfully, these oils and fatty acids also maintain good heart health.

5. Eat regularly

Skipping breakfast messes with your body’s regulatory systems, and is proven to cause low mood and irritability. Simply hammering down a triple espresso might make you feel more alert, but it’s an empire built on sand – sooner or later (probably sooner) you’re going to crash. Have a good breakfast, and snack during the day.

By following these tips, employees are setting themselves up for a much better time with their overall wellbeing. Of course, making a few dietary changes isn’t going to fix everything – but it’s a solid foundation on which to start.

This article is provided by Health Assured.

In partnership with Health Assured

Health Assured is the UK and Ireland's most trusted health and wellbeing network.

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