High Fructose Corn Syrup

As more and more studies are released, High Fructose Corn Syrup is quickly being shown as a detriment to the American diet. One statistic that I saw that our consumption of products rose over 1000%, yes that is ONE THOUSAND PERCENT in the last 20 years. In that same time period our average weights increased over 20 pounds as well. I realize that it is easy to say that our consumption rose as more and more products are using High Fructose Corn Syrup within them. Our soda consumption has rose as well. With the advent of energy drinks that contain not only High Fructose Corn Syrup, but other types of sugar such as glucose, sucralose and other hidden ingredients we have to wonder what we are doing to our bodies.

Within my workplace they are trying to ban wireless headsets so that we are tied to our desks. We can drink tap water, which is horrendous in this building because the pipes are over 30 years old. The vending machines only have soda. The snack machines are predominantly junk food and high in sugar. The funny thing is that they have graphics stating where the calories come from. They are excited that they dont come from fat. Instead they come from sugar. We are under a barrage of sugar. For some they are on a sugar rush all day, with cigarettes, coffee and fast food in their diet. The workplace does nothing for them. Especially since we are all contractors we have no insurance or support of any type.

Now I have heard of workplaces that try to infuse a healthy work environment. I have even heard of some that have treadmills and computers so that you can walk and work at the same time. I would love to experience that. I have a few pounds to lose and would love the encouragement, rather than having no choices. Granted we all have choices in the workplace. We can bring our own food, snacks, drinks and the like. But when the culture around you is poor, what type of worker does it create? I have heard many mornings, where workers come in hopped up on some energy drink. It is amazing how fast they talk, and how short their attention span is. By the end of they day they cant wait to leave, they are pretty useless, taking less calls, able to solve fewer problems, and frustration is high.

I wonder what would happen to a workgroup if they were encouraged to be healthier together. If they were managed in a health conscious way. If they were frustrated that intervention would occur, and a break would ensue. If they were provided healthy foods, encouraged a healthy diet away from work, and have a fitness regimen that they were not only encouraged to follow, that the competition from coworkers drew them in and they complied. I wonder if this positive experience would improve the quality of work as well.