Support Your Employees in Eating Well on a Budget

If you’re an HR or benefits professional, you’re likely well aware of our current economic climate, which is plagued by high food prices, inflation, tariffs and cuts to critical federal programs that address food insecurity.

Many Americans are struggling to afford groceries due to rising food prices and rising inflation.

In addition, many are affected by other economic challenges, making it difficult to meet basic needs - including food - for themselves and their families.

But that doesn’t lessen the importance of a health benefits program in the workplace. A health and wellness program that is flexible will provide support for your employees, helping them navigate food spend during challenging economic times.

Review your current health and wellness program to make sure it is relevant to fit their current needs. Does your program:

• Offer plenty of food options to fit many different backgrounds and lifestyles. It is important to support participants where they are on their food journeys.

• Recommend a whole foods approach? Whole foods are oftentimes more affordable than ultra-processed foods.

• Offer strategies to use less expensive whole foods? Help inform them of strategies that will support them, ie. easy method to prepare beans and lentils to make them easier to digest, buying store brand products instead of name brands, etc.

Now is the Time to Offer a Wellness Program That Provides Flexibility

For a wellness program to help your employees, flexibility must be built into the program so you can meet the needs of all your employees. Effective health and wellness programs - those suited to help participants succeed even during challenging economic landscapes - are fashioned to work for a wide variety of people with different life situations, experiences and preferences.

If you’re in charge of running your company or organization’s health and wellness program, make sure you’re offering a flexible program that can meet people where they are at, and when they are experiencing economic hardships. One that is flexible in its structure so that employees can adapt the programming to fit their food preferences, ethnicities, health issues and desired outcomes!

The Flexible 12 Fixes Program: Taking Employees’ Financial Challenges Into Account

Look no further - the 12 Fixes Challenge Program meets employees where they are at - including during challenging financial times.

Here’s how:

1. Encourages a whole foods eating plan: Many think that whole foods are more expensive than processed foods. In fact, the opposite tends to be true. Foods in their natural forms are often cheaper than processed foods dollar for dollar. For example, a medium bag of potato chips is more expensive than most seasonal fruit and vegetables. Plus, the fruit and vegetables are loaded with nutrients, while the bag of potato chips provides few.

When foods are processed, they usually end up costing more. And when you consider what nutrition you are getting from processed foods, foods in their natural form contribute far more nutrients for your buck than processed foods do.

2. Invites employees to shop smart at the grocery store: The 12-Fix Challenge Program provides employees with this game-changing skill to cut their grocery bill while helping them improve their health. The program helps educate as to how to shop bulk, shop store brand and more - for example, did you know the following? Rolled or steel-cut oats are less expensive (and healthier) than single-serve packages of instant oats. Instead of buying instant oat packets, employees can make nutrient-packed 3-minute oats in the microwave using rolled oats sweetened with whole food sweeteners and add protein-rich foods such as nuts to their bowl.

From granola to salad dressings to yogurt choices in the grocery store, the 12-Fix Challenge Program provides nutrient-dense, cost-cutting strategies that improve employees’ nutrition, food experience and bottom line.

3. Guides participants in making food choices suitable to their tastes. The 12 Fixes outlined in the 12 Fixes Challenge Program are broad enough that the participants can adapt the Fixes to their individual situations. Fix 2 in the 12-Fix Plan, for example, is “Plan Protein.” The protein amount is provided as a range rather than a specific amount to accommodate varying participant needs. Plus, protein needs can be met with a variety of foods. This flexibility allows participants to consume enough protein throughout the day to support their focus, cravings, weight loss, strength and bone health.

Contact me to learn more about how the 12-Fix Group Challenge can be integrated into and amplify your current programming. My “Eating Well on a Budget” is a virtual interactive presentation that I’d like to tell you more about. Let’s discuss how to support your employees who may be struggling with economic challenges and/or are looking for ways to save on food. Email me or schedule a few minutes to connect.