registered dietitian Archives

Meal Prep Guide for Busy People

Posted on January 25, 2019July 4, 2019

A lack of time and a busy schedule are some of the reasons why people don’t cook and order take-out. These habits can cost us money and health. In comparison, people who eat home-prepared meals have a healthier diet, consume fewer calories and are less likely to gain weight! [1-3] And for those with conditions like high blood pressure – which is about ⅓ of American adults – meal prep can help create delicious and healthy meals that are lower in sodium and higher in potassium.

What’s the solution? Well, you guessed it (hint: it’s in the title) – Meal Prep. There are numerous benefits to meal prep and planning that include saving time and money, maintaining a healthy weight, gaining a nutritious diet, and reducing stress that comes with rushing and having to make last minute meal decisions.

Meal planning is the key to success
for a nutritious diet.

But if lack of time is the main reason we don’t cook, then you must be thinking, how would meal prep fit into your busy schedule? This post will discuss ways to make meal planning simple, easy and work for you!

Step 1: Set yourself up for success

Lists and Planning

Create a list of healthy recipes you and your family will like. Use a calendar or spreadsheet to organize meals and shopping lists. “What’s Cooking? USDA Mixing Bowl” is a wonderful free resource to browse recipes, save them and even add ingredients directly to a shopping list associated with your account.

Use whatever method works best for you. Here at B.Komplete, we love our Meal Prep Formula for planning healthy, balanced meals. It’s also helpful for understanding portions.

5-day Meal Prep Chart For 400 and 550 Calorie Options
Formula: (1 grain) + (1 Veg) + (1 Meat/Seafood/Veg protein) + (1 Fat)
Grain/Starch Choices 400 cal = ½c cooked 550 cal = 1c cooked	Vegetable Choices 1 c cooked	Protein Choices			Fat Choices 1 Tbsp per 2-3 protein choices
	Vegetable Choices 1 c cooked	*Protein* 400 cal = 4oz 550 cal = 6oz	*Seafood* 400 cal = 4oz 550 cal = 6oz	*Vegetarian* 400 cal = 4oz 550 cal = 6oz	Fat Choices 1 Tbsp per 2-3 protein choices
Black Rice 400 cal: 1c uncooked = 3c cooked 550 cal: 2c uncooked = 6c cooked	Cauliflower and Broccoli Prepare 2.5 cups each	Grilled Chicken Breasts with Garlic + Rosemary 400 cal: Prepare 5-4 oz breasts 550 cal: Prepare 5-6 oz breasts	Wild Salmon with Lemon, Capers and Thyme	Grilled Tofu with Turmeric and Smoked Paprika 400: Prepare 2.5c 550 cal: ~3.75 cups	Olive Oil (good for sauteing)
Brown Rice 400: 3/4c uncooked = 2.5c Cooked 550: 1.5 Cup Uncooked = ~ 5 Cups Cooked	Carrots and Green Peas Prepare 2.5c each	Grilled Chicken with Ground Ginger 400: Prepare 5 – 4 oz. breasts 550: Prepare 5 – 6 oz. breasts	Wild Salmon with McCormick Salmon Seasoning	Chick peas with Olives and Basil 400: Prepare 2.5c 550: Prepare 3.75c	Canola Oil (All Purpose)
Quinoa 400: 1c uncooked = 3c cooked 550: 2c uncooked = 6c cooked	Asparagus Prepare 5 Cups for Each	Baked Lemon and Parmesan Chicken 400: Prepare 5 – 4 oz. breasts 550: Prepare 5 – 6 oz. breasts	Baked Red Snapper with Black Pepper, Garlic, and Parsley	Lentils with Basil, Sun-dried Tomato and Oregano 400: Prepare 2.5c 550: Prepare 3.75c	Avocado Oil (Good for Grilling and Roasting)

Instructions on using the Meal Prep Formula Chart: cook the amount shown under the chosen item within each food group to then have enough meals for 5 days.

Examples of 400 calorie meals using the above formula (1 grain) + (1 Veg) + (1 Meat/Seafood/Veg protein) + (1 Fat)

½ cup Black rice, 1 cup carrots and green peas (prepared with canola oil), 4 oz grilled chicken with ground ginger
½ brown rice, 1 cup asparagus (sauteed with olive oil) 4 oz wild salmon with lemon, capers and thyme
½ cup quinoa, 1 cup cauliflower and broccoli (roasted with avocado oil), 4 oz grilled tofu with turmeric and smoked paprika

Now it’s your turn! Create your own table to breeze through your week with the magic of meal prep. If this seems complicated, we have you covered. Schedule a meal-prep planning session with one of our Registered Dietitians.

Tools and Supplies

Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need for prepping, cooking, and storage.

Large pots and saute pans, large baking/roasting sheet pans
Cooking utensils, knives, measuring cups
Large casserole dish
Meal prep’s best friend is a slow-cooker: Crock-Pot or Instant Pot.
Food Processor
Food containers to maximize convenience and minimize hassle. Glass containers are a great option. When choosing containers, consider ones that are:
- Reusable and dishwasher safe, and microwaveable safe if planning to heat
- Well sealed to prevent leaks if there are liquids, such as salad dressings added to your meal
- Able to keep food odors locked in
- Easy to use and portable
- BPA-free

Step 2: Schedule day(s) of the week

Choose which day(s) you will 1) plan your menu and meals, 2) write out a grocery list, 3) grocery shop, and 4) cook and prepare the meals. This may be done all in the same day or broken up between a couple days. Do whatever is manageable for you!

Step 3: Plan your menu and meals for the week (or month!)

First, take inventory of your fridge, freezer and cupboard. Try to use up leftovers and ingredients you already have — focus on utilizing items about to expire — because you don’t waste food.

Another hassle-free (and fun!) idea is to follow themed meal days such as: Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Breakfast for Dinner Wednesday, Stir Fry Friday, Slow Cooker Saturday, or pick your favorite meal for [insert favorite dish here] Sunday. Themed meals takes the guesswork out and you can choose any day of the week to schedule it a theme. Need help making sure you are choosing healthy recipes? Check out the Healthy Eating Plate as a simple reference on eating nutritiously. Or schedule a counseling session with one of our B.Komplete Registered Dietitians.

Step 4: Grocery list & shopping

Plan to scale up the recipe so that it will last you a couple days of dinner and/or lunch, or freeze to have another week. Again, making sure to account for items you already have on hand, create a grocery list. And then, go grocery shopping! Another benefit of using a grocery list is that it will help save time and money and reduce impulse purchases!

You can use already formatted lists like this one to the right (which you can type directly into it, or print it out to hand-write). Another fantastic option is to use a note keeping app for your phone or computer like Google Keep.

Step 5: Meal prep time

There is no one method. You can cook and assemble the entire meal or just prep some of the ingredients (eg. chopping veggies, cooking rice and pasta).

Methods

Buffet-Style. Prepare ingredients separately, protein, veggies, grains and mix-match in meals throughout the week. The meal prep formula table above is a wonderful tool to assist with this style of meal prep.
- Ideas: Steam or roast few of your favorite veggies, cook some rice or quinoa, and bake chicken or salmon. Mix-and-match ingredients for a balanced and nutritious dinner.

No-cook assembly. This is a great option when using a slow-cooker. Chop ingredients and throw together in a container or freezer bag to store in fridge or freezer. Then when you are ready to prepare the meal, just empty the bag into crock-pot. Easy peasy.
- Ideas for no-cook assembly (and batch-cooking): veggie chili, stews and soups
Batch-cooking. Basically, this when you prepare larger quantities of food to last several meals/days. With this method, you’ll cook the entire meal — so when 6:00 PM on Wednesday rolls around, you just heat and eat.
- Check out these batch-cooking and freezer-friendly recipes

Step 6: Storage

Storage is the final step (before eating!) and is critical to maximizing the benefits of meal prep — and important in food safety too. Make sure you have plenty of large containers if you plan on batch-cooking. Other necessities include large freezer bags, and containers in a variety of sizes.

When prepping lunches, portion meals into containers you can just grab and go during the week. It’s a sure way to enjoy a good lunch break during a busy work day!

Resources (because why recreate the wheel?)

Written by Meghan E. Smith, Dietetic Intern

Leave us a comment below and tell us how you incorporate meal prep into your week or share your S.M.A.R.T. goal!

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256

Healthy Hydration Hacks

Posted on December 20, 2018July 4, 2019

We all know that drinking water is a good – and essential – thing to do. But how much do we need to drink? And, besides water, what are the best beverages and foods to hydrate us? And, what is the most convenient and delicious way to flavor water? We have you covered in this post – our top tips for healthy hydration hacks!

Hack #1: How Much Water Do We Need?

Your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health, your age, how active you are and where you live. No single formula fits everyone. Knowing more about your body’s need for fluids will help you estimate how much water to drink each day. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine determined that an adequate daily fluid intake is:

About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for men
About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women

These recommendations cover fluids from water, other beverages and food. About 20 percent of our daily fluid intake usually comes from food and the rest from drinks.

Hack #2: Besides Water, What Fluids Hydrate Well?

While water reigns supreme for hydration, and can do the trick almost every time, we all get tired of just drinking water. There are quite a few additional beverages you can add to your list for hydration helpers.

Milk. Whether you pick dairy, almond, cashew or soy, milk can provide an excellent source of hydration. Look for varieties with no-added sugar. Milk is a good post-workout drink as it can provide protein and carbohydrate which is needed for your muscles. In one study, drinking (dairy) milk helped people retain a third of the fluid they consumed over a two-hour follow-up period, and remain hydrated for over four hours. In this study the researchers found that milk was better than water for re-hydration, and is more effective at countering dehydration.
Sparkling Water. Just adding a little fizz can make water more interesting. While sparkling water may not be ideal pre-, during or post-workout, it is a great option for when you are going out and need to reduce the alcohol you are drinking. Sparkling water can be great with meals and snacks during the day. There are some delicious commercial options, and you can DIY at home.
Tea. Whether you like black, green or herbal, tea can help with your hydration goals. Teas that are caffeine-free are better at hydration versus those with caffeine. There are countless ways to enjoy tea, you can enjoy a RTD variety like Honest Tea or Pure Leaf (look for the unsweetened varieties), loose leaf or bag teas, and sachets with tea. Our favorite herbal teas include Yogi Tea’s Lemon Ginger, and Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Tea.
Coconut Water. In really hot and humid weather or in a workout when you sweat a lot, you could need a little hydration with some added electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that our bodies need to maintain balance and include sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Coconut water provides potassium and sodium. Look for a brand that has no added sugar varieties like Harmless Harvest and Zico. You can get electrolytes through fruits and vegetables also like bananas, melon, citrus, green leafy vegetables, and beets.
Juice. Juice is hydrating, and to lower the sugar content you can dilute with water. Fresh juice is a good option, and may not have added sugar. Check out BluePrint for some wholesome juice options. All foods and beverages can fit into a healthy lifestyle. If you are not sure how much sugar to be consuming, we can help you. Email us at info@bkomplete.com to schedule a session with one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.

Hack #3: Flavor Your Water

Making water more “fun” is easier than ever to do. You can slice up your favorite fruit – orange, lemon, strawberry – and add to your water bottle or glass. For a savory twist, try sliced cucumber and lemon in your water – delicious, refreshing, and a little different.

Another option that we love at B.Komplete is to flavor our water with Stur Water Enhancer. Our favorite flavors are Coconut Pineapple and Boldy Blue and Blackberry. Just a few squirts, and your water will take on a vibrant flavor and color. Your kids will like this too! Using Stur is the perfect way to encourage a picky drinker to enjoy water.

Hack #4: Hydrate with a Smoothie

Smoothies are a delicious way to add nutrients and hydration into your diet. A smoothie can be as simple as throwing some ice, fruit and milk into a blender and blending until smooth – to as complex as adding ancient grains, fresh herbs, and organic protein powder to make a masterpiece (but, will that taste good?!). Our tips for the most hydrating ingredients to add into your smoothie include: water, any unsweetened milk (dairy, almond, cashew or soy), veggies (try spinach, cucumber, celery or kale), and – of course – fruit (try oranges, berries, and melon). Check out our recipe for a scrumptious Pineapple Smoothie and visit the Green Blender Recipe Blog for several hydrating smoothie recipes.

Whichever options you try, let us know in the comments below! The most important thing is to stay hydrated, in a healthy way, all year round. If you find it hard to remember to drink water, perhaps add it as a reminder in your calendar/phone each hour. Healthy hydration is the foundation for physical and mental activity.

References

http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/Reports/2004/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-Water-Potassium-Sodium-Chloride-and-Sulfate.aspx

Why a Corporate Wellness Program Will Work for Your Company

Posted on December 1, 2018May 4, 2019

The success of any company depends on its people. And the ability of your workforce to perform at a high level consistently is supported by a positive workplace environment. The B.Komplete Corporate Wellness Programs drive positivity, inclusion, and solutions for each company we work with. The introduction of our Wellness Program has been successful and our results are beneficial for both the employee and the employer. Our Wellness Program takes a holistic approach to wellness, and focuses on the physical, mental and emotional well-being of the employees we service.

What is a Corporate Wellness Program?

Wellness is no longer a consideration solely for the self-funded company, but instead the solution sought out by all businesses, self-funded and fully insured. As defined by the Center for Disease Control “workplace health programs are a coordinated and comprehensive set of health promotion and protection strategies implemented at the worksite that include programs, policies, benefits, environmental supports, and links to the surrounding community, designed to encourage the health and safety of all employees.” A diverse range of benefits are offered under the label “workplace wellness,” from multi-component programs to single interventions, and benefits can be offered by employers directly, through a vendor, group health plans, or a combination of both. It is no secret that health care costs have ranked among the top concerns of employers for more than the last decade. There is good reason for this concern – health care costs have outpaced inflation for years, and employers often bear the brunt of these costs. Read more about on blog on “How to Select the Best Corporate Wellness Program for Your Company.”

If led and monitored correctly, a wellness program can not only save your company money, but can turn into an educational, social, and supportive addition to the workplace environment and culture.

The Top 5 Reasons Corporate Wellness Will Work For Your Company

Driving Sustainable Behavior Change: Unhealthy behaviors lead to health risks and conditions, which ultimately leads to increased health care costs. A well-done, on-going corporate wellness program will identify unhealthy behaviors and help the group and individuals adopt and improve their behaviors and actions. There will be follow-up, goal setting, customized solutions, and coaching along the way.
Reduction of Health Care Costs: One of the biggest reasons for a corporate wellness program is the reduction of health care costs. This does depend on the effectiveness of the program, and if done right, the savings from the participation in the program will be much greater than the actual cost of the program. A positive ROI (return on investment) means a far more productive and much happier workplace.
Increased Worker Productivity: Poor Productivity at work, also known as “presenteeism,” means being at work physically, but not working efficiently. Interestingly, the cost of presenteeism is much higher than absenteeism. From numerous smoking breaks to distraction about health concerns, poor employee productivity has a negative impact on the business productivity and workplace culture. A well-done corporate wellness program can focus on improving this metric.
Improve Employee Retention: For businesses to thrive in today’s economy, finding and retaining the best employees is important. Benefits play a large role in employee retention, and employees want benefits personalized to their needs. The cost of losing an employee can be high; Some studies (such as SHRM) predict that every time a business replaces a salaried employee, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary on average. For a manager making $40,000 a year, that’s $20,000 to $30,000 in recruiting and training expenses. Many employees love their corporate wellness programs and teams leading the events. An excellent benefit to provide for your workforce are having ongoing wellness events – cooking demonstrations, office yoga, chair massage, coaching and more.
Improving Workplace Culture: Holistic wellness programs that inspire mindfulness, stress management, health and vitality in the participants yields a happy group of people – thus corporate culture will be improved. When employers truly value their workforce, they acknowledge the importance of physical, mental and emotional health. A corporate wellness program should offer a variety of solutions to best meet the needs of each employee population, and inspire improvements in workplace culture.

Whichever reason speaks to you – from reducing healthcare costs to improving company morale, the benefits of a wellness program are countless. Here at B.Komplete we focus strongly on meeting and exceeding the needs of our Clients, and driving healthy and sustainable improvements in the employee population. For more on corporate wellness please visit information about our programs. To schedule a complimentary consultation call to discuss a corporate wellness program for your group, please email us at info@bkomplete.com.

What are Pre and Probiotics?

Posted on November 15, 2018May 4, 2019

Many of us have heard the word “probiotics.” In fact, many of us would even be able to associate probiotics with our gut or stomach. But what do they do? How do they help our stomach and digestion, and what the heck are prebiotics?

Probiotics are live bacterial cultures that help to keep our gut healthy. Probiotics help with digestion, absorption of nutrients, and immune function. Probiotics are found in fermented foods like kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, natto, and kimchi. Probiotics can also be found in dairy products such as yogurt. One reason why we are encouraged to eat more yogurt, (how many of us have watched Activia commercials with Jamie Lee Curtis?) and certain soft, fermented cheese. Probiotics are now being manufactured into supplement form.

Prebiotics are fiber, that basically work as a ‘fertilizer’ for the probiotics. Meaning, while the probiotics, or “good bacteria,” is working it’s way into the gut, prebiotics are helping the probiotics multiply, grow, and improve the amount of good bacteria in the gut. Interestingly, the body doesn’t digest prebiotics. It simply utilizes them to propagate probiotics in the digestive system.

Although both pre and probiotics work together to improve gut health, they are not found in the same foods. If you’re looking to add both to your diet without utilizing food sources, both can be found in supplement form. However, the Registered Dietitian Nutritionists’ on the B.Komplete Team strongly recommend food first – before supplements. Dietary supplements are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration like medications. And the probiotic strains in the supplements may not be specific for the condition you’re looking to treat. Always tell your Physician what you are doing that may affect your health, and schedule an appointment with a RDN on our team.

Foods Rich in Probiotics

Yogurt: is the number one source of probiotics. However, this only applies if the label says “active live cultures.” Any pasteurization or sterilization can kill the bacteria and then there’s no good bacteria.

Sauerkraut: Also known as lacto-fermented cabbage. When unpasteurized, contains Lactobacillus bacteria (good bacteria). In this state, it contains more probiotics than yogurt.

Miso Soup: A very popular item on a Japanese restaurant menu, this soup is made with miso paste, an Asian seasoning made by fermenting a mixture of soybeans, barley, brown rice and several other grains with a fungus, Aspergillus oryzae. Miso is a healthy, probiotic food that helps support digestion by adding beneficial microorganisms to your digestive tract.

Kefir: Similar to yogurt, there’s kefir, a fermented and cultured beverage, with a characteristic tart taste. For those with a dairy intolerance, kefir can be a good choice. Interestingly enough, a study done by Ohio State University, found that drinking kefir can reduce gas and bloating brought on by lactose consumption by almost 70%.

Pickles: Cucumbers that have been “pickled” in a solution of salt and water, using their own lactic acid bacteria, they are left to ferment, which turns them sour and a source of probiotics. Pickles are a good source of vitamin K too, although they are high in sodium, something to watch out for.

Foods Rich in Prebiotics

Asparagus: Great source of prebiotics with roughly 5% fiber by weight. Check out this delicious recipe for asparagus salad or this recipe for an asparagus frittata.

Legumes: A great sources of protein and iron. Common legumes include; lentils, kidneys, and chickpeas. Legumes have the right amount of fiber to boost healthy gut flora.

Jerusalem Artichoke: Interestingly, Jerusalem artichoke has nothing to do with artichoke, with the exception of its heart’s flavor. Jerusalem artichoke is loaded with prebiotics as well as potassium and iron. And they are easy to prepare!

Bananas: A convenient food, that has fiber and potassium.

Oats: Healthy grains with the added bonus of prebiotics. Oats contain beta-glucan fiber, which is what increases healthy gut bacteria, as well as antioxidants, which means they have anti-inflammatory effects.

How Much Do You Need?

At present, the verdict is out on exactly how much we need to consume, however some of the regulatory and scientific groups have put forward, per day figures of:

Dietary fiber: 25-38 grams

If you are not used to eating a diet that is rich in fiber, start slowly. Try adding 1 new food each day for a week that provides a good source of fiber. You can gradually increase each week.

We truly hope this blog post was helpful, and inspires you to add a source of pre and/or probiotic fiber into your daily food plan. Here at B.Komplete we believe in a healthy and balanced approach to eating. Let us know in the comment section what you try!

References

What to Expect at a Corporate Health Fair

Posted on October 15, 2018May 4, 2019

With Summer right around the corner, Health Fair season is upon us. A health fair is an event where an array of health information is provided to the public. Corporate health fairs are a great way to promote health and wellness to your company in a fun and interactive way for all employees. Everyone, from the CEO to those in entry-level positions, experiences stress and distractions at work. Corporate wellness programs, health fairs included, can provide insightful, educational, and collaborative experiences and activities to help counteract those overwhelming feelings.

There are many steps when it comes to planning a health fair for your company. Start early. Establish a date, time-frame, and location for the health fair. A budget must be developed, and the focus of the health fair, as well as goals and objectives, need to be determined. Many businesses choose to put on a health fair for their employees once or twice a year. Depending on the company, they can be held during business hours on a week day, where others are arranged to be set up on the weekends so that families can participate as well. Companies may also choose a specific theme for the health fair.

It is essential that your health fair is innovative and fun, and gets your employees excited to attend. To achieve this, think outside the box for the vendors and sponsors that you would like present at your health fair. Some ideas include: Whole Foods , a Local Farm Share , Community Volunteering Programs , Local Meditation Centers and Local Fitness Centers. Offering healthy snacks, raffle items, on-going trivia, and other incentives will encourage participation and help to increase motivation. If your company currently provides a wellness program for employees, the health fair is a great place to recognize and encourage employees who are actively participating in regular wellness programs. Your health fair is a great place to continue to advertise all of the positive effects of corporate wellness programs for your company.

Most importantly, the demonstrations and activities comprising your health fair need to enhance learning and appear exciting for your employees. This can be done through hands-on learning, games, and/or demonstrations.

Examples of wellness services in B.Komplete Health Fairs include:

Chair Massages
Health Screenings
Yoga/Exercise/Pilates Classes
“Ask an RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist)” Tables
Wellness Awareness Stations
Group Acupuncture Sessions
Custom Gift Baskets
And more

B.Komplete offers a wide selection of Health Fair programs that we offer as part of our corporate wellness offerings. Our a la carte options and can be used successfully at your health fair. Our focus areas for Health Fairs include Nutrition, Exercise, Disease Prevention and Stress Management. When you choose B.Komplete, we will provide all of the management, organization, marketing, information and staff for you for your health fair; it is our job to make your job a bit easier – and your health fair a success!

Lastly, promote, promote, promote!!! It is crucial that your employees are aware of and have a reason to be excited for the company health fair. Send email announcements (at least 2-3 months in advance, and continue to send right up to the event), decorate bulletin boards, organize a desk drop…make it fun! And remember the power of in-person announcements, as well as C-Suite participation in the events.

Here at B.Komplete, we specialize in helping companies implement and manage their corporate wellness programs. It does not matter to us what your company decides, B.Komplete accommodates each clients’ needs in order to put on the best wellness events possible for each client. Contact us now to discuss our health and wellness fair options, and schedule your fair!

How to Inspire Healthy Habits in Your Workplace

Posted on September 15, 2018February 1, 2019

There are countless reasons to invest time and resources into creating a healthy work environment and workforce. Healthy employees contribute to their companies through increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, and are less likely to quit. Reducing turnover and increasing productivity are excellent incentives for employers, and healthy minds and bodies – as well as incentives on insurance premiums or gym memberships – are great incentives for employees. Wellness designed properly works.

Wellness designed properly works.

If your company doesn’t currently have initiatives for improving employee health and wellness, here are some simple ways to get started:

Provide Healthy Food at the Office. Improve food choices in simple ways, by providing access to fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables in the cafeteria or keeping a bowl of healthy snacks in the break room. Instead of a platter of donuts for employee morale on a Friday, consider bringing in some Greek yogurt with whole grain granola and fresh fruit slices for healthy parfaits. By setting a healthy example of food served within the work environment, this will encourage employees to pick up their own healthy food habits at work and at home and promotes wellness success.
Emphasize Movement Throughout the Work Day. Some offices host “walking clubs” as part of their lunch hour routine and to get employees up and moving during the day. This is one great way to incorporate more exercise, and there are plenty of other options. Consider hosting a workshop to teach employees different ways to get small exercises into their work day – like doing 5 “desk push ups” each time they get up to go to the break room or bathroom. One effective way to show employees that you care about their fitness and their stress levels is to host an Office Yoga, Functional Training or Pilates Class. A B.Komplete Instructor will come to your work-site and lead your group in a customized workout!

Healthy Competitions. Health and weight loss or maintenance challenges that take place over discrete time periods (for example, 4 to 10 weeks) can motivate employees to take on new healthy habits in the spirit of a friendly competition. Challenges can be as simple as encouraging teams of employees to track their daily food intake each day, to more holistic challenges involving weight loss, minutes of exercise, mindfulness, and more.
Invest in a Comprehensive Corporate Wellness Program. In 2008, Johnson & Johnson published that implementing a corporate wellness program had saved them $250 million dollars in employee healthcare, a return on investment of $2.71 for every dollar spent. But implementing a healthy environment and getting these types of outcomes can be difficult without bringing an expert on board.

Expert corporate wellness vendors create wellness challenges, provide work-site nutrition and food, stress management, and exercise activities and track important health care benchmarks to let you know how your company stacks up when it comes to health and wellness. Unclear how to choose the right corporate wellness program for you? Click here and learn the best ways to identify how your company can incorporate corporate wellness. B.Komplete is a best-in-class full-service corporate wellness vendor that will provide the most effective solutions for your organization. Contact us now to learn more.

Savvy managers and business owners realize that happy, healthy employees create a more innovative work space and a more productive work environment. By considering the tips above, you will make your company more successful and a better place to work.

How to Select the Best Corporate Wellness Program for Your Company

Posted on August 15, 2018February 1, 2019

When a company has healthy and happy employees, the company will reap the rewards. A correctly designed and implemented wellness program can improve employee health, productivity, morale and manage stress. Wellness programs guide employees to make thoughtful and healthful choices that ultimately reduce employer health care costs, employee presenteeism and absenteeism. The costs of implementing a wellness program are minimal compared to the benefits.

What is Corporate or Worksite Wellness?

It is no secret that health care costs have ranked among the top concerns of employers for more than the last decade. There is good reason for this concern – health care costs have outpaced inflation for years, and employers often bear the brunt of these costs (2).

Lifestyle Choices Cost Employers Money:

8% of U.S. adult’s smoke (3). The total economic cost of smoking is more than $300 billion a year, including nearly $170 billion in direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity due to premature death and exposure to secondhand smoke (4). The CDC estimates that companies spend an average of $3,856 per smoker per year in direct medical costs and lost productivity (5).
Presenteeism, the act of attending work while sick, costs employers more money than absenteeism. The total cost of presenteeism for US employers continues to increase, and estimates for current losses range from $150 to $250 billion annually (6).
Nearly 50% of all employees suffer from moderate to severe stress while on the job, according to a recent survey. And 66% of employees report that they have difficulty focusing on tasks at work due to stress. Stress is estimated to cost US businesses up to $300 billion a year (7).
A study in the American Journal of Health Promotion found that, on average, a morbidly obese employee costs an employer over $4,000 more per year in health care/related costs than an employee who is of healthy weight. The study also revealed that obese individuals who had co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol incurred more costs than obese workers without these conditions (8).

Types of Corporate/Worksite Wellness programs

According to a RAND employer survey, “approximately half of U.S. employers offer wellness promotion initiatives, and larger employers are more likely to have more complex wellness programs. Programs often include wellness screening activities to identify health risks and interventions to reduce risks and promote healthy lifestyles. Most employers (72% of those offering a wellness program) characterize their wellness programs as a combination of screening activities and interventions. Wellness benefits can be offered by employers or a vendor to all employees or through their group health plans to plan members (9).”

Awareness-oriented wellness programs provide information and resources to help employees learn about healthful lifestyle choices. These programs provide education and awareness, not actual activity or behavior change guidance. They tend to be most effective with already health-conscious individuals, and generally do not significantly reduce health care costs.
Activity-oriented wellness programs combine awareness with participation in healthy activities. Examples include walking programs, weight-loss challenges, and discounted/free gym memberships. Generally offering some type of participation incentive. These programs usually lead to health care savings, and could take three or more years to realize a positive return on investment.
Results-oriented wellness programs focus on measurable outcomes and behavior changes achieved through program. These programs also include components of awareness and activity-based programs. If paired with strong incentives, these programs have the ability to produce significant return on investment through a decrease in absenteeism and workers’ compensation incidents (10).

How to Select the Best Program
for Your Company

Step 1: Conduct an Anonymous Employee Interest Survey.

This is an opportunity to learn which health and wellness topics your employees are interested in. This is a great way to get employee feedback on pre-existing wellness initiatives and ideas for future programs. Consider that employee health needs information may be already available through other sources, such as HRAs or medical claims data, and the employee survey may not need to address those type of questions (11).

Step 2: Outline Your Wellness Vision and Expectations.

What type of philosophy are you looking for in a wellness partner? What type of experiences in wellness are you looking for? Often, employers succeed when their wellness vendor shares a similar mission and vision with them (12). Prior to researching potential vendors, outline your own company’s objectives on health and wellness. Ideally, you’ll want to enlist the help of a vendor that has experience helping similar businesses in your industry. Reach out to your Health Insurance Carrier, Broker and/or relevant Business Associations to learn about the vendors they work with and why.

Step 3: Select a Vendor/s.

What do you need most from a wellness vendor? Are you looking for a partner with the most innovative programs or up-to-date technology? Or is it more important to team up with an experienced vendor who has an excellent reputation with current clients? Are there specific degrees and backgrounds that your company expects from the vendor’s staff (12)?

Does the vendor offer in-person or virtual services or both? This is highly important if your employees aren’t all in the same location.
Does the vendor provide a full service wellness program or a la carte offerings or both? Keep in mind that the customer service aspect will vary greatly from vendor to vendor. Decide if the vendor should do everything necessary to get the program up and running and then let you take it from there — or whether you will need a significant amount of hands-on follow up from the vendor before, during and after the program roll-out. Vendors with superior customer service should be able to not only solve problems, but also anticipate and prevent future issues (12).
HIPPA Guidelines. As outlined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “Where a workplace wellness program is offered as part of a group health plan, the individually identifiable health information collected from or created about participants in the wellness program is personal health information and protected by the HIPAA Rules.” It is important to note that, “where a workplace wellness program is offered by an employer directly and not as part of a group health plan, the health information that is collected from employees by the employer is not protected by the HIPAA Rules. However, other Federal or state laws may apply and regulate the collection and/or use of the information (13).” Regardless of which way your wellness program is set-up, it is essential to maintain the utmost confidentiality of any personal health information for anyone involved – your vendor should support this regulation.
Does the vendor provide innovative solutions? Not all employee groups are going to be impressed by a power-point presentation during a lunch & learn. Does the vendor offer different services and solutions for groups? Certain groups may benefit more from seminars, while other groups may prefer workshops and/or demonstrations. Does the vendor offer solutions for remote employees? Innovation in worksite-wellness is diversifying, with programs focusing on mental-health, healthy office spaces, providing work-place access to healthcare, and more (14).
Will the vendor customize programs to meet the specific needs of your employees? Companies vary greatly in their background, culture, environment, and employee population. Your wellness vendor/s should seek to understand your company, and from that information develop a customized approach that will best meet the needs of your company. Best-in-class programs are designed to benefit the company as a whole, and within it, each employee.
How does the vendor measure participant satisfaction? To ensure that your employees are enjoying your worksite wellness program the vendor should be tracking and measuring participant satisfaction. This can be accomplished with simple surveys following events. Your vendor should report the survey results to you in a timely fashion, and be able to adapt and modify future programs based on the employee feedback.

Step 4: Determine your need for Program Support.

Does the program provide marketing and PR support? When you launch or reintroduce your wellness program its crucial for your employees to know about it. You may ask yourself, “How should I inform them about our program?” This is where the creativity and thoughtful promotion from the vendor come into play. Do they provide online marketing? Do they provide promotional materials such as flyers and brochures? Do they offer email marketing services? Your vendor should be able to offer you savvy marketing options that will inform and spark interest in your employees. Vendors who provide excellent marketing and PR support can take this work off of your plate.
Does the program provide scheduling advice? One way of getting positive feedback and outcomes is by having frequently scheduled events and activities within your wellness program. Does your vendor work with you to determine the best timing and frequency for events? Do they outline your up-and-coming event in a simple format? Consistency is key. Consistency allows for progress to be monitored and accurate results on changes in employee participation and, most importantly, changes in their health.
Does the program have a wellness portal and/or social media presence? Wellness Portals can provide access for employees to register for events (bio-metric screening), join challenges (walking and/or weight loss) and keep track of their wellness points (incentive management). Does your vendor offer a wellness portal, and if so, is it simple to use? Social Media is becoming the go-to for wellness awareness. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have created an open opportunity for wellness vendors to showcase who they are, and what they can offer. Your employees will appreciate having this information to reference, which they can access easily at any time. Your employees will appreciate having the option of multiple online resources from your wellness vendor.
Does the program provide mobile options? According to new research from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 68% of Americans own a smartphone (17) Consumers rely on mobile options to communicate, go online, and access and share information. It’s a natural fit for your employees to be able to access information from your wellness vendor, when they are using their mobile device.

Step 5: Determine the Programs’ Practicality and Accessibility for Your Employees

Does your program provide diverse offerings? Diversity is key in capturing maximum employee participation. Your wellness program needs to be accessible, relatable, and appealing to your employees. Does the vendor offer services that cover many aspects of health and wellness such as nutrition education and disease management, stress reduction, physical fitness, and smoking cessation? Can your vendor customize your events based on your corporate culture and your employees’ needs? The ability to pick from a wide array of services will ensure your employees truly benefit from and fully enjoy your wellness program.
Does your program address all aspects of wellness? Wellness is more than physical health; wellness encompasses social, occupational, and intellectual aspects as well. Consumers are becoming more curious about additional ways to live a healthy life (18). Is your vendor current and providing a holistic wellness approach with a variety of related topics? Does your vendor offer solutions for your employees with programs encompassing positivity, mindfulness, relaxation and self-care? To be successful, wellness programs must be comprehensive, tailored to the population, creatively marketed, and embraced by top management (19).

The Harvard Business Review has found that great corporate wellness programs make an impact by, “managing to shift people’s relationship with health from one where health is something thought about and ‘practiced’ annually at the doctor’s office, to one where health is practiced daily through small lifestyle habits (20).” Employee wellness has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have” for companies whose focus is on attracting and retaining top talent. As you want your employees to invest in your company by providing their best work, the company in turn must be willing to invest in their people with programs that will help them to lead healthy and happy lives.

If you are interested in learning more about a best-in-class corporate wellness vendor that is rated 99% in customer satisfaction, please contact B.Komplete for your free corporate wellness consultation at info@bkomplete.com and for more information please visit information about our programs.

References

How to Avoid a “Food Coma” After Lunch

Posted on August 1, 2018June 24, 2019

So you’ve had a busy morning and it’s time for lunch. For many people, work lunches involve buying food from the company cafeteria, or heading out to one of the many eateries that cater to the workweek lunch crowd. Taking your full lunch break is a great way to decompress and prepare for the work in the afternoon (see our blog on how to do the business lunch healthfully), but there is one outcome every productive worker wants to avoid: the food coma.

The “Food Coma” which is so ubiquitous it was added to the Oxford Dictionaries Online in 2014, is that feeling of sleepiness that overtakes people after a big meal. You may know it by a different name like “the itis,” or “after dinner dip,” but you probably haven’t heard of the technical term: “postprandial somnolence.” We most commonly think of it happening after big holiday meals (like Thanksgiving) but a food coma after lunch can ruin afternoon productivity. So how can we all prevent the food coma…

Don’t go too big.

A study in young men tested whether a low or high calorie lunch would have a greater impact on sleepiness during a monotonous drive (don’t worry, the drive was in a simulator). Researchers found that the larger meal caused a much greater lull in attentiveness and trend toward greater sleepiness compared to the smaller meal.

Tip: Pack your lunch the night before, or make sure to exercise your ordering skills at a restaurant to ensure your meal is less calorie dense. Use the Healthy Dining Finder to locate a restaurant with healthy options near you, or check out some of B. Komplete’s healthy ordering tips for business lunches.

Keep those carbohydrates complex.

One theory for feeling sleepy after meals has to do with the amount and types of carbohydrates we eat. There is evidence that eating easily digestible simple carbohydrates (like white flour and sugary desserts) causes sleepiness by increasing blood sugar and subsequent insulin production. That increase in insulin production happens concurrently with increases in hormones like melatonin which causes sleepiness, and inhibition of orexin neurons which help maintain wakefulness. Multiple studies show greater sleepiness and earlier onset of sleep with meals higher refined and total carbohydrate.

Tip: Try to keep your post-meal surge in blood sugar slow and controlled by choosing healthy, complex forms of carbohydrates like whole grains. Also be sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables that add healthy fiber and slow the digestion of carbohydrate in the gut.

Avoid high fat meals.

A study done in over 700 Australian men found that those who ate diets higher in fat reported experiencing greater daytime sleepiness than those with lower fat intake.

Tip: Keep your lunch light on the grease! Heavier, fatty foods like pizza and burgers might just exacerbate your post-meal lull. Also consider the type of fat you eat. Typical fast food often contains lots of saturated fat, the fat we typically consider less healthy. Instead, choose foods full of healthy unsaturated fats like guacamole, or a salad with a vinegar and olive oil, nuts and seeds.

Get a good night’s sleep.

The experience of a “afternoon dip” doesn’t have everything to do with your meal. At least some of this post-lunch sleepiness is due to natural fluctuations of your circadian rhythm which can be exacerbated by the content of your meals. However, another major factor for your desire for an afternoon nap? Sleep debt. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 Americans is sleep-deprived and you’re much less likely to feel energized after lunch if you didn’t get enough sleep the previous night. Poor sleep is also associated with poor food choices, which can exacerbate the food coma, creating a vicious cycle…

Tip: Set an alarm not just for the morning, but for bedtime and hold yourself to it! Ensuring you get enough sleep will not only help you stake wakeful throughout the workday, but will also help you make healthy food choices at lunch!

It might feel great to take a nap after a satisfying meal, but this isn’t an option when you’re busy at work. Prioritizing healthy, light lunches and adequate sleep at nighttime can help you maintain your productivity and prevent the dreaded food coma.

However, if you’re like many Americans, you have a hectic work day and prioritizing healthful behaviors can be difficult. Check out B.Komplete’s post on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a busy schedule!

https//snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide

What Foods to Eat in the Summer

Posted on June 15, 2018February 1, 2019

Warm days means fresh summer foods. Wondering what foods can help you stay in shape all summer long? Eating well and keeping yourself hydrated is important to keep yourself ready and energized for summer activities. B.Komplete Registered Dietitian Nutritionists can help you learn more about these foods for when you’re having fun in the sun!

Summer Foods

Watermelon: The perfect fruit to keep you hydrated without a whole lot of calories. Check out this watermelon feta mint salad!

Berries: Blueberries. Raspberries. Blackberries. Jam packed with fiber and antioxidants. Toss them in your plain yogurt or oatmeal for some added natural sweetness. Want to try berries in a delicious savory dish? Try this recipe for grilled salmon and blueberry sauce!

Tomatoes: Rich in an antioxidant called, lycopene and perfect tossed in a salad or to simply enjoy alone (especially grape tomatoes).

Avocados: Yes, you should eat fat! Especially the heart-healthy fats in avocados to keep you satisfied as well as add some creaminess to your dishes. Try swapping out butter or cream cheese for ¼ of a mashed avocado on your toast/bagel. How about making a delicious creamy avocado sauce for your pasta or “zoodles”?

Corn: Get the local grown corn and throw it on the grill for some sweet BBQ crunch! You gain 4 grams of fiber in just ½ cup of kernels. Click here to learn more about your local farms. Learn more about eating organic and fresh foods here.

Zucchini: This vitamin C-rich veggie is perfect for grilling or making “zoodles”. The Food Network has wonderful recipe ideas. Love Pad Thai? Try this lighter version that uses “zoodles.” Click here to purchase for a budget-friendly spiralizer to make your “zoodles”.

Nuts: A good source of healthy fats, protein, fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Try a small handful of dry-roasted unsalted almonds, cashews, walnuts or pistachio as an on-the go or pre-workout snack.

Want to try multiple summer-friendly foods all in one dish? Try this grilled corn, watermelon and avocado salad! Substitute the apple or celery for jicama if you are having trouble finding it.

Resources

Interested to learn more about seasonal foods and how to enjoy summer food? Below are links to help guide you:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/whats-in-season-summer