Performance through nutrition: Mindful Active

As a registered dietitian, I’m increasingly aware of the rise in misinformation being shared online around nutrition. From detox diets that promise quick results to scaremongering about carbs, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are awash with voices offering tips and advice. Statistics show that 55% of people regularly turn to social media to get nutritional and health information, and content that is swift, simple and visually appealing gets traction.

But how do we separate fact from fiction?

Less than 50% of the information online is accurate, and misinformation spreads six times faster than evidence based guidance. It’s a worrying trend and can have a lasting impact – misinformation can lead to new or worsening health conditions, increases in long term sickness and decreased productivity.

The power of nutrition in performance

Since joining Sodexo, the importance of correct nutritional information has come into even sharper focus. For military personnel and employees working in remote environments, food is a critical component of operational readiness, resilience and long-term health.

As service providers, our role is to work with chefs, clients and suppliers to develop menus and meals that are varied, balanced and cater for the physical and mental needs of all consumers, considering personal preferences, ages, job roles and gender.

It’s important to take a broader, holistic view too, and talk about nutrition in the wider wellbeing context. Exercise, sleep, and managing stress are all pivotal in ensuring people can perform at their best. 

Sodexo’s Mindful Active Programme is a powerful tool for providing resources and evidence-based information; a platform for customers to access practical, sustainable and achievable advice they can use to improve their nutrition, health and wellbeing by making more informed choices.

Mindful Active focuses its resources around four pillars, Fuel, Focus, Perform and Restore –targeting the physical and mental requirements of the day. Users can assess their nutritional intake and tailor the programme to suit individual needs and activities, whether it’s powering up brain training, preparing the body for the day ahead or re-energising post workout.

The programme mixes face-to-face activities and workshops with a broad spectrum of digital content; blogs, video shorts and practical tips that look at the four principles in detail and hone in on hot topics.

For example, we know from Sodexo’s Annual Defence Survey that the demand for more protein-based dishes is rising. While it’s no secret that protein helps to build muscle, are consumers considering all sources of protein – not just meat, but dairy, fish and plant-based proteins? Many people may already be meeting their daily protein requirement, but are they in turn ignoring other crucial elements of a balanced diet, such as carbohydrates, healthy fats or fibre? A good vitamin and mineral intake is essential too – for example, for women, particularly, a lack of iron can have a detrimental impact on energy levels.

Health supplements require more clarity too. What is ‘marketed’ as natural does not necessarily mean safe. Our customers need accurate education around ingredients, potential side effects and interactions with other medications. With service personnel often involved in intense training, turning to short-term fixes to boost energy and build muscle can seem appealing. It’s a similar story with energy drinks, but it’s important to raise awareness of the high sugar content attached to many of these products.

Whilst sustainable nutrition is built on balance, context and individualised care, we need to shift the narrative from quick fixes to long-term health solutions.

Mindful Active is being developed in consultation with the Military Advisory Group and the British Nutrition Foundation, and our suppliers are key players in creating menus and dishes that reflect the ideal ‘military performance plate.’ It’s something we showcased at our recent Food Connections events, which brought together clients and customers to taste samples from suppliers such as plant-based Eat Curious, drinks brand YFood, and The Coconut Collab, who produce dairy-free yoghurts and desserts.

The conversation continues, and communication is key. In developing Mindful Active, championing healthier food choices and continuing to bring nutritional innovation into our services, we have to provide messaging and advice that cuts through the misinformation and provides evidence-based guidance our consumers can trust.

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