Q&A: Turning down tasty treats in favor of a healthy lifestyle

When it comes to snacks at your practice, accessibility is the key to consumption, says Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member Dr. Ernie Ward, owner of Seaside Animal Care in Calabash, N.C. If your workplace has loads of sugary sweets within reach, you can bet that your team will indulge at every opportunity.

The first step to sanitizing sweets from your staff begins with you. Set a healthy example by bringing in better options like crunchy veggies and almond butter, wholesome almonds and cashews, and sliced apples and bananas. Instead of buying your team pizza for lunch, substitute a salad.

Next, politely ask those who deliver morning doughnuts to consider healthier fare and ask your team to experiment with nutritious dishes instead of cookies and cakes. As for Girl Scout cookie and school candy salespeople: consider giving a cash donation instead of investing in unhealthy goodies.

"Weaning your team members off of sugary snacks will reward everyone with better health, higher energy, and more stable moods," Dr. Ward says. "It's your business; make it a healthy one."