By overseeing a company’s food service, a corporate dietitian promotes healthy eating habits. He or she may devise a nutritional strategy and teach proper food portioning techniques in order to make employees healthier and happier. As a form of preventative health maintenance, a proper diet can help many corporations reduce their health-care costs.
As a convenience to both employees and clients, large corporations can usually have their own cafeterias or food services within the building. From common bread ingredients to fresh fruits, the corporate dietitian frequently chooses the food served in these facilities. The corporate dietitian’s main goal is to keep people’s appetites satisfied while adhering to health guidelines.
The corporate dietitian also supervises and trains other food service employees; for example, he or she may give specific instructions on how to use butters and fats in recipes to keep the food from becoming too greasy. The corporate dietitian is also concerned about food handling and safety. Meetings may be called to discuss foodborne illness prevention for both cafeteria workers and customers.
Between the cost of healthy food and the company’s budget, a balance must be struck. Healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are more expensive than processed or frozen foods, so the dietitian must constantly analyze and review food orders to ensure budget compliance. Some dietitians may go out of their way to find local food sources, such as a farming cooperative, in order to get better bulk discounts.
The corporate dietitian may hold employee wellness meetings to discuss new and innovative ways to prepare and cook food. Substituting canola oil for rendered fat in a recipe, for example, can significantly reduce the calorie count. If the facilities allow it, some businesses may offer cooking classes to their employees in order to improve their overall food health.
Another aspect of the corporate dietitian’s job is to talk to employees about portion control. The basics of portioning a typical meal plate into protein, starches, vegetables, and fruits may be covered in individual or group meetings. Many people are unaware of the importance of portion control, which can lead to obesity and other diseases.
Many businesses hire dietitians because their knowledge and food regulations help employees stay healthy over time. Employees may spend less time at the doctor’s office as a result of healthier eating, and sick days may decrease. Overall productivity will rise as a result of a happier and healthier workforce, and health insurance premiums for both employers and employees will decrease.