Our food choices are influenced by a variety of factors such as being rushed, lacking nutritional knowledge and the availability of meal options. This can lead to overeating foods that may increase the risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and other health conditions.
Healthy Emory’s Better Choice program simplifies better eating by pointing employees to healthy food items during the workday.
As an additional way to achieve a healthier start in 2021, employees can earn points toward medical incentive dollars in Healthy Emory Connect by participating in Better Choice Campaign activities from Jan. 19 through Feb. 14.
Dawn McMillian, registered dietitian and senior wellness specialist at Emory, encourages employees to participate, whether working onsite or remotely.
“Many Emory employees are working remotely at this time and have seen a lot of changes in their eating habits as a result,” McMillian says. “People may be eating more frequently, in larger quantities than necessary and more often choosing foods with added sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.”
During the campaign, employees can participate in Better Choice Bingo and share photos of the Better Choices they are making in their daily lives.
They also can attend Better Choice live webinars on Jan. 20 and Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. to ask questions and learn how they can make the Better Choice. The webinars are part of the ongoing Ask the Registered Dietitian series; one registration grants access to all sessions.
Employees will find Better Choice labels in more Emory dining facilities during 2021 to help take the guesswork out of selecting healthy food items. The label indicates which foods you need to eat more often and which you need to eat less.
Better Choice selections contain more whole grains, lean animal and plant proteins, fruits and vegetables, heart-healthy fats and less added sugars, sodium and unhealthy fats.
You can now find the Better Choice logo at the following Emory dining locations:
- Emory University Hospital
- Asbury Court
- Clifton Café (located in J Tower)
- Emory Rehabilitation Hospital
- Emory University Hospital Midtown
- Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital
- Emory University Hospital at Wesley Woods
- Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
- Emory Johns Creek Hospital
- Emory Decatur Hospital
- Emory Hillandale Hospital
- Emory Long-Term Acute Care
- Dobbs Common Table (located in the Emory Student Center)
Visit the Better Choice website to learn more.