Nutrition Policy as an Investment and Corporate Strategy

The well-being of the entire workforce is no longer, or at least should no longer be, a luxury. It is a prerequisite for the success of any business or organization, as it directly affects employee performance.

How much could your company’s prosperity and growth improve if all employees had more energy and focus, a greater appetite for work, and fewer sick days?

The Need for a Nutrition Policy

Statistics have been highlighting this need since as early as 2010, when data published in the Harvard Business Review demonstrated that improving the health of just 10% of employees by shifting them from high- to low-risk for cardiovascular disease yielded a 6:1 ROI.

Fifteen years later, leading corporations are already providing sessions with dietitians, nutritionists, or personal trainers as part of their rewards and benefits programs, in an effort to raise awareness among staff about the value of a healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless, traditional, general educational approaches, as we know them today, have not achieved the desired results, as evidenced by the levels of childhood and adult obesity and overweight in Greece, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, and the nutrition-dependent comorbidities appearing at increasingly younger ages

From awareness to action

For practical and effective change, awareness alone is insufficient; we must move into action. This practical application of research findings in prevention, well-being, and longevity is precisely what the nutrition policy programs designed and implemented by DNANUTRICOACH® under the guidance of Dr. Valentini Konstantinidou aim to achieve.

A well-structured nutrition policy is an investment not only in employee health but also in the company’s financial results, measurable through indicators such as:

1. ROI
2. Reduction in costs from absenteeism
3. Increased productivity
4. Compliance with ESG criteria

A company nutrition policy establishes a plan of action and promotes a preventive culture based on proper, individualized daily nutrition for all employees. It represents strategy, care, and commitment to both the well-being and economic growth of the organization.

A nutrition policy encompasses nutritional education, or nutritional literacy, and extends far beyond dietary practice, surpassing the mere focus on grams and calories.

What Does a Nutrition Policy Include?

Nutrition policy programs are implemented over quarterly, semi-annual, or annual cycles. Some of the benefits include:

• Cultivating daily healthy practices
• Creating a permanent supportive environment
• Updating nutritional beliefs and myths that consciously or unconsciously shape our lifestyle, productivity, and health

In today’s workplace, multiple generations coexist, each with different needs, priorities, and perceptions of proper nutrition. Nutrition, instead of being simplified, has unfortunately become increasingly complex, with abundant misinformation causing confusion and serious consequences for health and productivity. A notable effect of this confusion is the drift away from the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern and the distortion of what Mediterranean nutrition truly entails.

To be effective, a nutrition policy must include:

• A human-centered culture
• Up-to-date education
• Application and monitoring of the actual dietary needs of each team member

A comprehensive nutrition policy also addresses topics such as:

• Education on food choices according to the occasion
• Personalization and guidance on dietary supplements
• Education on nutrition labels
• Sustainable nutrition and resource savings
• Fertility support
• Prevention of type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
• Nutritional prevention and management of burnout
• Tailor-made approaches according to different age groups

Implementation Process of a Nutrition Policy

The organization and processes for implementing a nutrition policy in a company are adapted to the staff’s needs and the available budget. We begin with a detailed assessment and needs analysis through questionnaires and then collaboratively design actions with measurable indicators and compliance with ESG criteria. Our goal is to deliver both qualitative and quantitative change through in-person or online activities, with the possible creation of focus groups to address specific dietary needs.

The earlier we know, the sooner we can act to mitigate the negative effects of poor dietary habits or models. Companies and organizations that incorporate preventive actions into their corporate strategy see their financial metrics thrive.

Contact us today at info@dnanutricoach.com and let us design a nutrition policy together that will bring long-term benefits to both the health of your employees and the growth of your company.