One-Plate Meals for Remote-Site Workers

Abstract A pre-ordered and balanced healthy meal on one plate is offered in the dining facilities or delivered to job sites. Personnel collect meals at the entrance of the mess hall instead of going through the food line, where they could otherwise fill up on less healthy or less nutritious options. One-plate meals provide whole grains, vegetables, protein, and fruit in proper portions and quantities. Vegetarian options are also provided. The goal of the one-plate meals program is to promote healthier diet options for remote-site workers during long rotations at locations where catering services are provided. Personal behavior is influenced through the elimination of the intention-behavior gap and by introducing small environmental changes. The meal is pre-ordered a day earlier, and it has an attractive presentation using a single plate with one side dish (typically fruit salad). Employees can either eat in or take the meal to go. One-plate meals are presented using dinnerware sets and packaging materials that are distinguished and of a better quality than those used for the regular food line. One-plate meals offer a convenient and healthy choice for employees who are accommodated on site. It keeps their daily diets free from the less healthy choices that can be selected as they walk through the entire food line because these are often hard-to-resist less healthy picks that can easily fill a plate. The program also offers a time-saving option for employees on a tight schedule who don't have time to wait in line. Over time, influencing the dietary behavior of employees and encouraging them to adopt healthy nutritional choices at work could extend to the choices they make for themselves and their families at home. A healthy diet promotes well-being because it plays a major role in preventing or controlling many health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and some heart diseases.