One of the most effective ways for your employees to lose weight is to practice portion control.  Determining what actually a proper “portion” is, however, can be difficult.   A study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that individuals that reduced their food portions by 25% cut down on about 250 calories a day.  This adds up to a loss of about a ½ pound a week.  That’s an entirely realistic goal, and it makes good sense to provide services that will help your employees reach it. 

Joining forces with a food service vendor that offers reduced portion meals that are low in sugar, salt and fat is a wise trend in the business world today.  A vendor will work in conjunction with your Wellness Coordinator or on-site Registered Dietician to provide the tools your employees need to make meaningful, lasting and healthy changes.  This can include utilizing spray bottles to serve salad dressings, as well as providing fruits and waters in vending machines as an alternative to sodas and sugary, salty snacks.  White bean dips and whole grain chips, almonds, vegetables and peanut butters are offered in portion controlled containers.  Low fat cheeses, reduced calorie fruit smoothies, flavorful soups and vegetable stews with reduced sodium are all excellent options that can be offered rather than the goo and glue diet choices often provided in corporate cafeterias.  Many of these vendors subscribe to the successful “Balanced Plate” method which is an easy to follow method for portion control.  These are tools that your employees will bring home to their families, increasing your company’s picture of health and wellness tenfold.

Replacing refined sugars and flours with clean and creatively spiced and herbed proteins, colorful fruits and vegetables, and tasty multigrain starches in smart, correct portions is of enormous value to your employees and to your bottom line.  A progressive food service vendor combined with wellness offerings, programs and professionals will get you get there.