Posts filed under 'Workplace Health and Wellness'
Difficulty Eating Healthy at Work
Without a doubt, whether you work in an office, construction yard, hospital, or wherever, eating healthy on the job is one of the most difficult things to do for the average person. YoNaturals is endeavoring to change all that; however, as it stands, the average workplace is not conducive to healthy eating. Unless you are willing and able to entirely pack your own lunch, replete with enough snacks to get you through the day and healthy drinks like water or fruit juices, you can expect to have to turn outwards for food sources. And if you are a healthy eater, you probably won’t like what you see.
What’s food sources are around your workplace? Better question: What food sources are around your job that you consider convenient? This is perhaps the real culprit behind our tendencies towards unhealthy eating in this country; our hectic lifestyles and working environments are not often conducive to maintaining proper nutrition. Thus, sometimes we must choose between being a good employee and being kind to our bodies; and since maintaining our jobs is what allows us to eat at all, often we must choose the former.
It’s unfortunate that we as a nation have not addressed this issue, given the horrible epidemics we deal with, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Given that these are such an incredible strain on our health care budget in America, is it so much to ask for the government and employers to pay a little attention (and maybe even spend a little money) to institute some wellness programs for their workplace?
YoNaturals healthy vending provides one such outlet for companies looking to provide their employees with better choices. Our natural and organic snack and drink vending machines are perfect for any office building, or anywhere else that vending machines are typically found. If you are interested in helping your workplace institute some healthy changes, contact us at your earliest convenience!
1 comment November 4, 2008
Be Fiber-Conscious with YoNaturals Vending
Whether you have known for a long time or whether you are just coming around to it, the fact remains: dietary fiber is an essential component of any healthy diet. Researchers have consistently proven that people who consume plenty of fiber in their daily diets benefit from it. These benefits include everything from reducing a person’s risk for heart disease and diabetes to preventing and alleviating constipation. And, in other good news, for many of you, getting your recommended daily dosage of fiber is as easy as evaluating your current eating habits and making small alterations that ensure that your need is being met by the food that you eat.
Before you have a look at that, though, you will need to have a basic understanding of what fiber is. Essentially, dietary fiber is the plant material that you eat and that your body finds indigestible. It is unique in that it will pass through your entire digestive system virtually unchanged by any of the mechanical and chemical processes that your body uses to break down other food stuffs.
Furthermore, dietary fiber is most often classified into one of two categories. It can either be labeled as “soluble” or “insoluble”, and these descriptive terms are doled out based upon whether the fiber dissolves in water or not. As indicated by the name, soluble fiber dissolves in water, producing a gel-like substance, whereas insoluble fiber is unchanged by the presence of water.
Further, the gel-like material that forms when you eat soluble fiber helps reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, whereas the insoluble dietary fiber that you consume does not change form. It simply adds more bulk to your stool, reducing and/or preventing constipation. Both types of fiber are found in almost every aisle at your local grocery store. In fact, legumes, carrots, apples, and oats are common sources of soluble fiber for many people, and soluble fiber can be found in many veggies, whole-wheat flour products, and nuts.
As you continue to learn about the health benefits of a high-fiber diet, you will probably want to increase your fiber intake. And it’s easy to understand why you want to do that. That said, it is always a good idea to speak to your physician or nutritionist or other health care provider before you undertake a major shift in diet, so prepare a list of questions to ask your health professional before you go in to your next appointment. In the meantime, maintain your healthy diet anytime you are away from your home by choosing snacks from YoNaturals healthy vending machines. Think of them as your lifeline to a healthier (and more fiber-conscious) you.
Author: Laura Rayburn
1 comment September 30, 2008
Fitness and Healthy Eating in Workplaces go Hand in Hand
Clearly, we at YoNaturals are touting that placing healthy vending in workplaces, schools, gyms, and other locations will be a significant step towards a healthier America. Improvements in nutrition can easily solve three-quarters of our health problems right off the bat. Exercise, mental health and other factors are important as well; but they all rest on the foundation of what we eat. The food and drinks we consume on a regular basis are the building blocks of our health, or energy levels and our general well-being.
As we mentioned in the last post, one of the biggest obstacles to healthy eating away from home is simply the lack of available food. Many of us have the desire to eat better and improve our health, but it is simply impossible to do so with the options presented to us in the average workplace. We are all just human, and as such we often give in to our cravings and the temptations around us. There is no way to effectively end our health problems without taking these practical concerns into consideration and finding a solution.
That being said, the aforementioned factors are important as well, and we would like to take a short time to discuss the important of office fitness and ergonomics. Let’s assume we are in a Utopian future where every workplace has natural and organic snack and drink vending machines such as those offered by YoNaturals, and all the employees of these companies take care of their health each and every day by eating properly. These employees cannot be said to be fully healthy without a proper fitness regimen.
Many experts agree that we should have do at least 15 minutes of exercise three days per week. However, this little exercise is easily counterbalanced by sitting sedentary for 8 hours each day. You should be taking regular breaks throughout the day to stretch and perhaps take a brisk walk around the premises. This type of break is vital to your health and well-being; in fact, this type of exercise will invigorate you and actually increase your productivity, even though it technically takes time away from your work. A healthy employee is a happy and productive employee.
Our first concern is always going to be your nutrition. We believe that it is the foundation upon which all else is built. However, we also recognize that fitness is extremely important to a well-balanced life.
We wish you happiness, health and a lifetime of fulfillment! Please check out YoNaturals.com if you are interested in how you can bring proper nutrition to your office or workplace.
Add comment September 19, 2008
Office Vending Machines - Health Away from Home
Surely one of the most difficult challenges we face in corporate America is continuing to eat healthy while away from home; and in no place is this more difficult than the office. Think about the gauntlet that the average person must endure in order to simply arrive to work on time on any given weekday: waking up with enough time to eat breakfast, take a shower if you’re lucky, spruce up your look, brush your teeth, get dressed, possibly shave, feed the dog, take the kids to daycare, commute to work… and that’s just the normal stuff!
At what point is there time to pack enough healthy food to stay on your diet or continue to eat healthy? Probably the best alternative is to pack your food in the evening before going to sleep, so the worry isn’t there in the morning, lest you hit the snooze button too many times. But few people have the time and discipline in the evenings after a long day at work, a commute home, kids, other duties in the home…. you get the idea. Not to mention that packing enough food for eight or nine hours is a feat in and of itself. Eating healthy five days a week in an office is truly a daunting task.
So, there really is no full solution besides of healthy vending machines in the office. Because we haven’t yet even discussed the consequences of not having enough food for the day. Imagine you’re on a strict health plan: either you eat only natural and organics to maintain your health, or you eat only low-fat foods in order to maintain your weight. You’ve forgotten to pack your healthy lunch, or your carrots and celery snack to get you through the day. You’re trying to concentrate on today’s tasks, but your stomach is beginning to consume itself while making noises that are scaring your co-workers. Water isn’t hitting the spot. You look around desperately for a solution, but see only the dirty office vending machine.
You’re desperate, so you reluctantly walk over and take a gander at the wares it offers. Doritos, Snickers, M&M’s… your stomach growls with impatience. What do you do? 1) You go through the day starving and miserable or 2) you give in to temptation and satiate your angry bowels. Hardly an ideal set of choices for one who is trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
So, tell me: does a new, aesthetically pleasing healthy vending machine with only natural and organic snacks and beverages in your office sound appealing yet? What if they are not only better for your health, but taste just as good (or better)? What if you could have not only water (the unhealthy vendor’s reluctant capitulation to America’s increasing desire for alternatives to Coke), but also natural and organic teas and other delicious drinks to quench your thirst?
The answer is clear. The question is, why haven’t more people caught on? YoNaturals is ready and waiting to satisfy your need for health and convenience in the workplace. Fod the sake of your health, or if you don’t care about yours, for you co-worker’s… give us a try!
Add comment September 11, 2008
A Step Toward Physical Fitness
The obesity epidemic is growing in the country, and is not likely to stop growing unless the majority of the population implements some major lifestyle changes, including changes in their diet and exercise regimes. Unfortunately, obesity has far greater consequences than simply forcing people to go up a pant size or two. The poor diets and nonexistent exercise routines that contribute to obesity are also associated with a number of health problems including high cholesterol, high blood, and adult-onset diabetes. Fortunately, there are few health care professionals that have not noticed this growing proportion of the population, and most have already started working to curb this growing epidemic.
As our country has grown in economic might, our waistlines have grown to reflect our affluent lifestyles. The technological advances that have contributed to the riches of this nation have also meant that the average citizen does not get as much daily physical activity as previous generations. Further, due to our growing affluence, the average American is not economically confined to cooking for themselves every night of the week. Instead, we have been relying increasingly on fast foods and take out to supply our daily nutrition. However, the problem with that approach lies in the fact there is a growing disconnect between the food that we eat and the nutritional information associated with that food. Perhaps then, it comes as a surprise to no one that there are over 123 million obese or overweight adults living in this nation today.
Obesity does not come without a cost either. Indeed, it is associated with a number of the most common diseases that plague this country today. Unfortunately, as the proportion of obese adults grows, so will the number of people that we bury when they die of the illnesses that are closely related to obesity.
Because there is no magic potion that will rid us of obesity, we are going to have to implement a number of lifestyle changes if they are serious about controlling and combating obesity in America. And although your genes do play a factor in weight gain and loss problems, they are not in total control of your health. You are. And as difficult as it will seem at first, it will be worth it in the long term to make the changes now that will prevent obesity in you and your children. Only you have the power to choose what kinds of food that you eat and the amount of daily exercise that you get. Start changing your life today for the better by choosing healthy snacks from YoNaturals vending machines and take that first step on the path to long-term fitness and general well-being.
Add comment September 4, 2008
Healthy Eating at Work by YoNaturals
If you’re like most of us, your snack food options at work leave something to be desired. You’re stuck at your desk for most of the day surrounded by food options that might sound tasty, but are loaded with sugar, preservatives and ingredients you can’t even pronounce. You find doughnuts in the break room, someone orders pizza to be delivered for lunch or a client plans your lunch at your favorite restaurant. Of course, don’t forget the endless snacking temptations in the vending machine around the corner from your office or all of the open candy dishes you pass on your way to the break room. It’s definitely a challenge to maintain a healthy weight with so all these tempting choices all around. Try these helpful tips to stay full on healthy foods and snacks and maintain your weight even in an unsupportive environment.
· Breakfast
Face the early morning doughnuts with a different attitude by eating a breakfast with fiber, protein, and even a little healthy fat. Even better, choose natural and organic foods that give you energy without the sugar crash. Breakfast doesn’t happen automatically though. Make sure you have the time, and the food available, to get a healthy start to your day. Encourage your company to keep a YoNaturals vending machine in your office. Then you can actually rely on healthy vending to keep you on track until lunch. What a concept!
o Healthy breakfast ideas:
§ Lifeway low-fat kefir
§ Cascade Fresh yogurt smoothie
§ Clif MoJo bar
· Snacks
There’s nothing worse than standing in front of the vending machine trying to choose the lesser of two evils when it comes to snack food. It’s too easy to just decide to get whatever you like and try to make a better decision another day. Plan ahead though and you can have the best of both worlds: delicious snacks and no anxiety about whether or not it’s good for you. Keep your desk stocked with fruit instead of candy, it’s just as easy to grab and go and it’s immensely more filling. And you’ll have no worries if you’re standing in front of a YoNaturals vending machine.
o Healthy snack ideas
§ Kashi GoLean bar
§ Brothers All Natural fruit crisps
§ Primal Strips Meatless Jerky
· Lunch
You may feel like lunch is a time to splurge if you’re going out to eat, but everyday splurges add up. Pack a healthy lunch and eat it with a healthy snack even if you’re planning to go out with colleagues or clients to eat. You’ll stay full enough to eat something light at the restaurant. Plan ahead by looking at the restaurant’s menu online and decide what you’ll order beforehand. You won’t have to look at a menu while you’re there and try to make healthy choices at the last minute.
o Healthy lunch & side choices
§ Terra Chips; pair with a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread
§ Brother’s Potato Crisps with a bowl of vegetable barley soup
§ Thai Kitchen Pad Thai Noodles
Be confident in your healthy snacking choices by finding your nearest healthy vending machine. Encourage your company to add YoNaturals to your office to encourage healthy snack and lunch options!
Add comment August 28, 2008
High fructose corn syrup
Author: Rachel Moss
High fructose corn syrup is a very common sweetener and preservative made from corn. It is made by changing the sugar found in cornstarch to fructose, which is another form of sugar. Because it is cheaper than sugar and extends the shelf life of foods, it’s used in many processed foods, fruit flavored drinks and sodas on the market today. Look at the ingredients list of many common items found in snack foods and sodas and it is commonly at the top of the list.
There is little debate that the consumption of high fructose corn syrup in the many products that are available to kids and adults today may be causing untold health problems and is likely contributing significantly to the growing obesity epidemic, especially among children. High fructose corn syrup contains a high amount of fructose which the body cannot utilize it very well and it can possibly be disruptive to metabolism and liver function. While some may argue that high fructose corn syrup is the same as table sugar and therefore may not be harmful to your health, in the environments that we find ourselves today, any type of sugar or preservative in excess is something we should avoid for better health.
Fortunately, there are many products available that do not use high fructose corn syrup as a sweetener. Many of these products are also made with organic ingredients as well, making them clear winners in healthy snacking. You can find plenty of healthy snack options from your nearest YoNaturals vending machine. Healthy vending doesn’t have to be an oxymoron any longer when you have a YoNaturals vending machine nearby.
Here are some easy ways to decrease your consumption of high fructose corn syrup in your children’s diet and in yours as well:
- Focus on fruit juices instead of fruit “flavored” drinks.
- Choose sodas with natural ingredients and no preservatives
- Choose natural and organic snack foods
- Read the ingredients list of the products you buy
When choosing foods from a YoNaturals vending machine, you don’t have to worry about ever getting anything that is not natural or organic. You can feel confident choosing healthy snacks. Here is just a sampling of natural and organic products you can get from YoNaturals:
- Clif Bars
Their food philosophy includes never using high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils. They always use organic ingredients, grown without the use of toxic pesticides or synthetic chemicals. - LaraBar
The makers of this bar do not use added sugars or sweeteners and use mostly raw, unprocessed ingredients. All of their products use natural and organic ingredients without preservatives. - Stretch Island Fruit Snacks
Stretch Island never uses high fructose corn syrup. Their fruit snacks are naturally sweetened with no added sugars and they always use natural and organic ingredients - Crayons Drinks
This all-natural fruit juice drink company does not use high fructose corn syrup. Their drinks contain fiber, but never any artificial flavors.
Be confident in your snacking choices by finding your nearest YoNaturals vending machine, or encourage your school or gym to use a YoNaturals vending machine to encourage healthy snacking!
Add comment August 21, 2008
