Why UK HR Teams Are Turning to Food-Led Wellbeing (And Moving Beyond Step Challenges)
For years, workplace wellbeing in the UK has been dominated by visible initiatives: step challenges, wellbeing weeks, app subscriptions and short-term campaigns designed to boost engagement.
But HR teams are increasingly asking a more grounded question:
What actually helps people feel better, work better and stay well during the working day?
More and more, the answer is food.
Why Traditional Wellbeing Initiatives Are Falling Short
Step challenges and optional wellbeing programmes can increase short-term engagement, but UK HR insight shows they often fail to deliver sustained impact.
Across UK workplaces:
Fewer than half of employees consistently engage with optional wellbeing initiatives
Participation typically drops after the first 2-4 weeks
Many employees report wellbeing programmes feel detached from day to day work pressures
At the same time, presenteeism now costs UK employers more than absenteeism, with fatigue, low energy and poor mental wellbeing cited as leading contributors.
This has prompted many HR teams to rethink whether highly visible initiatives are addressing the real drivers of wellbeing at work.
Food Is a Daily Wellbeing Intervention -Not as an Add-On
Food-led wellbeing works because it’s built into the working day… everyone eats.
UK workplace nutrition research consistently shows that improving the food environment:
Supports more stable energy levels across the day
Improves concentration and afternoon focus
Reduces reliance on ultra-processed snacks and sugar highs
Helps tackle fatigue without requiring extra effort from employees
From an HR perspective, food becomes a structural wellbeing support, not a voluntary programme.
Why UK HR Teams Are Changing Approach
UK HR leaders are increasingly focused on daily wellbeing, rather than one-off initiatives.
Key drivers behind the shift include:
Over 60% of UK employees report feeling tired during the working day
Afternoon energy dips are frequently linked to poor nutrition and blood sugar instability
Employees are more likely to engage with wellbeing support that happens within working hours, not outside them
Food-led wellbeing supports:
Mental clarity and cognitive performance
Mood and stress regulation
Productivity and sustained energy
A more inclusive approach to employee health
It also aligns naturally with ESG, sustainability and people-first workplace strategies, all growing priorities for UK employers.
What Food-Led Wellbeing Looks Like in Practice
Effective food-led wellbeing is not about restriction or calorie counting. It focuses on:
Balanced plates designed to support energy and focus
Menus informed by nutrition science
Seasonal, responsibly sourced ingredients
Practical education that empowers employees without judgement
When done well, food becomes part of the workplace infrastructure, quietly supporting wellbeing every day.
A Smarter Question for UK HR Teams
Instead of asking:
’What new wellbeing initiative should we launch?’
More HR leaders are now asking:
’How do people feel at 3pm and what can we change about that?’
Very often, the answer starts in the kitchen.
Drop us an email today at hello@powfood.co.uk and see how food can truly make an difference in your workplace.