• Why Workplace Nutrition Myths Matter More Than You Think
• Myth #1: “Calories Don’t Matter”
• Myth #2: “Keto Is the Best Way to Lose Weight”
• Myth #3: “Fasting Is Superior for Everyone”
• Myth #4: Weird Digestive Claims from Social Media
• How Nutrition Misinformation Impacts Workplace Performance
• What You Can Do as a Business or HR Leader
• How Nutrition Workshops Can Help Your Team
• Final Thoughts: Ready to Cut Through the Noise?

You want your team to show up sharp. Engaged. Productive. Right?

But here’s the thing: while you’re investing in wellness and culture, your employees are also scrolling. Following influencers. Believing that “fasting fixes everything” or “keto is the miracle diet”. I hear it every week in‑clinic. And when that same noise gets into your workplace? It becomes a drag on performance, not a boost.

This piece cuts through the crap. I’ll show you the myths your team might be buying, what really matters, and how you can turn the tide.

Myth #1 – “Calories don’t matter”

You’ve heard it: “It’s all quality, calories don’t matter.” Here’s a clearer truth: For weight management, hormonal health, even basic energy levels, calories still matter – just not in a rigid, obsessive way.

You don’t need to count every bite. But pretending that quantity is irrelevant? You’re handing them a free pass to chaos.

When employees are eating haphazardly, energy dips, focus slides, and the wellness budget you spent starts looking like a cost centre.

Myth #2 – “Keto is the best way to lose weight”

“Keto” is pretty seductive: low‑carb, high fat, simple. But here’s the truth:

• It was originally a medical diet, not a universal fix.
• The weight‑loss research is still fundamentally about a calorie deficit.
• Many keto implementations cut out fibre‑rich foods and load saturated fat – increasing long‑term risk for heart disease and poor gut health.

So when one of your team says “I’m doing keto, I’m sorted” – ask: Are they balancing fibre? Vegetable intake? Sustainability?

Myth #3 – “Fasting is superior for everyone”

Yep. The “skip breakfast, eat later” trend looks cool. Influencers love it. But here are real workplace‐considerations:

• Many people (especially with blood‑sugar concerns or irregular schedules) find skipping meals backfires.
• The key driver of weight loss is still calorie deficit, not the timing window.
• Fasting can increase stress hormones or reduce focus – the last thing you need in a high‑performance team.

In short: Fasting isn’t magic. It’s a tool. And it’s not appropriate for every employee.

Myth #4 – Workplace‑specific nutrition myths

Your people aren’t just googling “keto vs fasting”. They’re picking up weird claims like:

• “If your poo isn’t the length of your forearm, something’s wrong.”
• “Swallowing air is why I’m bloated.”
• “Eating pineapple will improve my digestion.”

All of which sound catchy on social media, but: no. These myths distract your team from what actually matters – consistent healthy eating patterns, fibre + nutrient‑rich food, regular meals, decent hydration.

When employees chase one weird fix, they ignore the fundamentals. And those fundamentals move the needle on absenteeism, focus, engagement.

The real impact of poor nutrition on your team

Here’s the part I know you care about: the business case.

• Employees with inconsistent or poor diets show less focus, more fatigue, and higher absenteeism. Evidence shows diet quality in the workplace ties into mental‑wellbeing and productivity.
• Misinformation = wasted energy. When staff are chasing TikTok‑trends instead of evidence‑based eating, they’re wasting time on the wrong things and their health isn’t improving.
• When wellness programmes don’t match what employees actually believe? They become “nice‑to‑haves” instead of ROI drivers.

What you can do as a workplace leader

Here’s your practical checklist:

1. Audit the beliefs — ask your team: “What nutrition advice have you tried?” “Where did you hear it?”
2. Educate with clarity — run a short myth‑busting session (yes, that’s what I do). Pull out the weird, the viral, the harmful. Then deliver what actually works.
3. Embed the fundamentals —
   • Encourage consistent meals + snacks
   • Make fibre, vegetables, hydration visible
   • Discourage ‘extreme fix’ thinking (keto‑rush, fasting hype)
4. Partner with expertise — you don’t have to be the nutrition guru. But you do need access to one who knows how to translate for your people.
5. Track impact — tie your nutrition initiative to workplace outcomes: absenteeism, engagement surveys, focus metrics. Show value.

How a targeted workshop or program can make a difference

Here’s why my approach works: I don’t just deliver generic “eat better” advice. I tailor it for workplaces like yours (through my workshop series Eat Well, Work Well).

• Real‑world scenarios: What your employees do in the break‑room and at their desk.
• Clear, actionable guidance: Not “avoid seed oils” but “what to swap in and out this week”.
• Myth‑busting + empowerment: I pull apart the viral claims and give your team confidence.
• HR‑friendly: Simple tools, easy roll‑out, measurable impact.

Employees leave the session with their heads less fuzzy and your organisation leaves with better potential ROI.

The myths swirling around your workforce are not harmless. They cost you energy, focus, engagement and sometimes health. But you’re in prime position to steer the ship. With the right support, you can give your team clarity, tools, and a path forward that actually makes a difference.

If you’re ready to cut through the confusion and offer real, realistic nutrition advice at work, let’s talk. Download my services guide and see how we can support your organisation together.