MN Certified Food Manager’s Guide to Staying Healthy on the Job
photo credit: www.teoti.com
Food management professionals take a lot of responsibility upon themselves, often to the detriment to their own well-being. We have three quick tips that we feel can help hardworking, dedicated food managers help moderate stress levels and provide the healthy energy needed to survive the day.
- Eat healthy on the job
- Make an effort to take a break
- Replace coffee or soda with water
Eating healthy at work can be challenge, especially for restaurant workers. Many times the easiest and most readily available quick bite is rarely healthy. Rather than a fresh piece of fruit or a light salad, leftovers from the deep-fryer basket, remains of last night’s specials or unusable cuts of meat often find a way to be consumed during food worker’s snack and lunch breaks. Eaten by themselves, these types of food may cause a drain in energy levels, and this can lead to a lack of motivation or focus. We might suggest that you consider packing fresh fruit or snacks that are better sources of energy for times when you may not have time to prepare a healthy lunch.
Supervisors in food production facilities and restaurants often work through their allotted break times. While we understand that there is always something that needs to be done and food service managers have many responsibilities, taking ten minutes to pause, breathe and refresh your mind will be beneficial in the long run. It’s important to remind yourself that you have trained your staff well, and you can trust that your operation will not collapse if you step away for a few minutes.
Overloading on coffee or soda can elevate your heart rate and lead to anxiety. If you consume multiple cups of coffee or soda during a shift, there will always be the inevitable caffeine and sugar crash that can only be avoided by grabbing another cup before it hits. We suggest that you balance out your caffeine fix by consuming plenty of water. Water will keep you better hydrated than coffee or sugary drinks and help provide the natural energy to get you through your shift.
While not every MN food certified manager’s daily routine is the same, most have dedication and the drive to succeed in common. Don’t let that drive cause you to ignore your physical and mental health on the job. By taking small steps, you can decrease you stress, increase energy levels and keep your facility running smoothly and safely.
Leave a comment! How do your co-workers picture you? How do you moderate stress levels? What tips do you have for staying healthy while at work?
