2nd Nov 2011 - 00:00
Abstract
A pilot scheme to help people eat more healthily during the working day is to be rolled out more widely – after three-quarters of staff taking part said they had more energy, higher concentration levels and a better sleep at night as a result.
Businesses from Derby, Nottingham and Leicester were the first in the country to try the specialist sessions from Let's Get Cooking, the national provider of healthy cooking training, resources and support. Staff from British Gas, Derby City Hospital and Nottingham County Football Club tested the sessions, which included practical cooking and tips for making better choices for breakfast, lunches and snacks during the working day. Evaluation of the small-scale pilot showed: · Three-quarters of staff were choosing healthier foods more often, even three months after the end of the sessions · More staff made time to eat breakfast, and were generally eating a healthier meal to start the working day · More staff were drinking water during the working day · A number of staff reported losing weight; in some cases this was a substantial amount · On average, staff said they felt better about themselves after attending the workshops, even three months later – reporting feeling more energetic, more able to concentrate and having better sleeping patterns. Let's Get Cooking is now offering the scheme - called Cook Well, Work Well - to employers around the country. Evaluation of the pilot phase is being handed to Dame Carol Black, the national director for health and work, and discussed by businesses around the region from the East Midlands Platform on Food, Physical Activity and Health. Let's Get Cooking's Jane Pond, who delivered the pilot sessions, said: "It's amazing how small, easy changes to what you eat can make such a difference to how you feel, and that's why our delegates were keeping up their healthier habits even months after our training."
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