Guidance on nutrition and physical activity for workplaces

Workplaces and organisations are encouraged to adopt and implement the National Food and Drink Policy.

This policy will help organisations to provide an environment that consistently offers and promotes healthier food and drink options. The policy is consistent with the Eating and Activity Guidelines.

National Food and Drink Policy

Healthy food and drink principles

Enjoy a variety of nutritious foods every day including:

• Plenty of vegetables and fruit
• Grain foods, mostly wholegrain and those naturally high in fibre
• Some milk and milk products, mostly low and reduced fat
• Some legumes (e,g, beans, lentils), nuts, seeds, fish and other seafood, eggs, poultry (e.g, chicken) and/or red meat with the fat removed.

Choose and/or prepare foods and drinks:

• That are mostly 'whole' and less processed
• With little or no added sugar
• With unsaturated fats instead of saturated
• That are low in salt (sodium); if using salt, choose iodised salt

This means:

• that some food containing moderate amounts of saturated fat, salt and/or added sugar (e.g. some baked or frozen goods) may be available in small portions. no or limited to deep-fried foods, and no or limited confectionary (e.g. sweets, chocolate)

Make plain water your first choice over other drinks

This means:

• This means: only moderate amounts of black tea and coffee, no or limited no-added sugar juices and drinks with intense sweeteners, no sugary drinks, and no alcohol.

Workplace staff, contractors, and visitors who are able, are encouraged to be active in as many ways as possible while getting to and from work, and while at work.

Active transport to and from work

Staff who use active transport (ie, cycle or walk) in full or in part to get to and from work:

• take fewer sick days and have better health
• are more likely to arrive on time as they avoid traffic congestion and delayed buses/trains
• are more likely to be alert when they get to work
• are more likely to have increased job satisfaction
• are more cost effective for the workplace.

Where possible, workplaces should:

• promote and encourage the use of active transport to get to and from work
• provide adequate changing and showering facilities at all work premises
• provide adequate storage, lockers and drying facilities for sport and wet weather clothing
• provide sufficient secure bike parking at each work site.

Physical activity at work

There are numerous reasons for being active at work including better overall health, better self-esteem, more energy and productivity, and better weight management.

Research highlights a link between an active workforce and cost saving outcomes, such as reduced absenteeism, reduced staff turnover, and improved productivity.

During their working day, staff should be encouraged to be as active as possible, and reduce their time being sedentary. Sedentary behaviour, such as sitting at the computer for long periods of time without a break, is associated with many long term conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, regardless of whether an individual is physically active or not.

Workplaces can encourage staff to:

1. use stairs rather than lifts o signs such as ‘there are health benefits from taking the stairs’ should be put up o the signs should clearly indicate where the stairwells are and what floor reception is on o stairwells should be accessible, well lit and clean
2. stand up to stretch regularly and when taking phone calls 
3. stand during meetings and use standing tables where available
4. walk to meetings in nearby buildings rather than taking a taxi where possible 
5. walk to colleagues instead of calling or emailing them where possible
6. have five minute activity breaks every hour during meetings
7. complete chair based exercises – ACC work smart tips(external link)
8. avoid scheduling meetings over the lunch period (12–2pm) to enable staff to be active
9. participate in sports teams, lunchtime walking and jogging groups, and events such as Walk 2 Work day and Bike to Work day.