The Verde Vitae team is passionate about promoting corporate wellness and helping organisations create healthier workplaces. One effective way to achieve this goal is by implementing plant-based wellness programs. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of normalising plant-based meals in corporate wellness programs, drawing on insights from Dr. Laura-Jane Smith and Dr. Shireen Kassam's article "Plants First Healthcare: Normalising plant-based meals in healthcare" published on the BMJ Leader blog.

Why is it important to promote plant-based meals in corporate wellness programs?

1. Improving employee health and wellbeing:
   As Dr. Smith and Dr. Kassam point out, dietary risk factors are a leading cause of chronic illness, including diabetes, heart disease, strokes, cancer, and dementia. By promoting plant-based meals, organisations can help their employees adopt healthier eating habits, reducing their risk of developing these conditions.

2. Reducing healthcare costs:
   Adopting plant-based wellness programs can lead to cost savings for both employers and employees. As employees become healthier, they are less likely to require expensive medical treatments or need to take time off work due to illness. Additionally, plant-based meals are often more cost-effective than animal-based meals, leading to savings on catering costs.

3. Supporting environmental sustainability:
   The production of animal-based foods is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. By promoting plant-based meals, organizations can reduce their environmental impact and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

4. Enhancing corporate social responsibility:
   Promoting plant-based wellness programs demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). By prioritising the health and wellbeing of employees and the environment, organisations can build a positive reputation and attract customers and employees who share their values.

How can organizations implement plant-based wellness programs?

1. Make plant-based meals the default option:
   Dr. Smith and Dr. Kassam suggest that making plant-based meals the default option, with animal-based meals available upon request, can encourage employees to choose healthier options. This approach has been successfully implemented in hospitals, with over 50% of patients choosing the plant-based option after two years.

2. Provide education and resources:
   Educating employees about the benefits of plant-based meals and providing resources to help them adopt healthier eating habits can be an effective way to promote plant-based wellness. This can include workshops, cooking demonstrations, and resources on plant-based nutrition.

3. Engage with catering providers:
   Working with catering providers to offer more plant-based options and promoting these options to employees can help create a culture of healthy eating. Some catering providers may already have experience in implementing plant-based wellness programs and can offer guidance and support.

4. Encourage employee involvement:
   Encouraging employees to take an active role in promoting plant-based wellness can help build a sense of ownership and engagement. This can include creating employee wellness committees, organising plant-based potlucks, and recognizing employees who make healthy choices.

Promoting plant-based meals in corporate wellness programs can have numerous benefits for employees and organisations. By implementing plant-based wellness programs, organisations can improve employee health and wellbeing, reduce healthcare costs, support environmental sustainability, and enhance their corporate social responsibility. We encourage all organisations to consider implementing plant-based wellness programs and join us in promoting plant-based wellness for all.

As part of our dedication to enhancing lives and elevating corporate performance, we are currently conducting workshops to empower individuals and organisations with the right knowledge on nutrition and movement as essential components of a healthy lifestyle.

Our nutrition focused workshops focus on promoting plant-based wellness as a means to improve employee health, reduce costs, and support environmental sustainability.

Ready to take the first step towards a healthier, more sustainable workplace?

Book your free knowledge-seeking call with us now to learn more about our plant-based wellness workshops and how they can benefit your organization. Our team of experts is eager to help you empower your employees with the knowledge and tools they need to make healthier lifestyle choices. Don't wait – book your free consultation today and join the movement towards plant-based wellness!

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Sources:

• Smith, L-J., & Kassam, S. (2024). Plants First Healthcare: Normalising plant-based meals in healthcare. BMJ Leader. https://blogs.bmj.com/bmjleader/2024/10/01/plants-first-healthcare-normalising-plant-based-meals-in-healthcare-by-dr-laura-jane-smith-and-dr-shireen-kassam/

• Greener By Default. (n.d.). About us. https://www.greenerbydefault.org/about

• UK Health Alliance on Climate Change. (2021). Healthy food, healthy planet. https://www.ukhealthalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Healthy-Food-Healthy-Planet-Briefing-FINAL.pdf

• Plant-Based Health Professionals UK. (n.d.). About us. https://www.plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/about-us