Nutrition as a structured WHP component: A shared healthy breakfast connects prevention and team culture – plannable, recurring, and documentable.
Why is eating together more than just eating?
When people eat together, they talk to each other differently. A breakfast takes the pressure out of the encounter: It’s not a meeting, no agenda, just a table with good things on it. At the same time, it makes healthy options tangible – fruit, whole grains, something homemade are more convincing than any nutrition flyer. Leading by example beats rules.
How much organization does the breakfast need?
It doesn’t have to be a buffet. Even a nicely set-up corner, where everyone can contribute something, creates the ritual. Reliability is important: a regular rhythm to look forward to. Once a month or quarter is enough – the main thing is that it remains a fixed date and doesn’t fizzle out after the first time.
When is the right moment?
A shared breakfast is most effective around Healthy Eating Day. Then the internal ritual is connected to an occasion that can also be shared externally – a visible signal that health is part of the culture here. For companies that want to approach nutrition without wagging a finger, this is the ideal starting point. A good addition is the Best Practice Recipe of the Month: Healthy Nutrition from the Team.
How do you put the measure in place?
- 1Choose a fixed date: once a month, always on the same weekday (e.g. first Friday)
- 2Clarify place and time: kitchen/break room, 30–45 minutes in the morning before work starts
- 3Set the bring-something principle: everyone brings something healthy – fruit, wholegrain bread, yoghurt, spreads
- 4Secure the basics: the company provides plates, cutlery, coffee/tea and a few staples
- 5Invite one week beforehand and explain the bring-something principle
- 6The first time, provide an inviting basic buffet yourself – this lowers the threshold
- 7Deliberately leave time to talk: do not force work topics, the exchange is the core
- 8Keep the date reliably and send a reminder in good time (2–3 days beforehand)
- 9Rotating responsibility: each month a different team takes care of setting up and clearing away
- 10Bring in variety: seasonal themes (berry summer, winter porridge) keep it lively
- 11Pay attention to inclusion: think of vegetarian, vegan and lactose-free options
- 12Observe participation: do people come? Is it becoming a fixed ritual?
- 13Collect a quick mood check: what should stay, what should change?
- 14Decide whether the rhythm or format will be adjusted
What do you need for it?
- Effort
- half a day
- Cost
- under €100
- Duration
- Monthly
- Setup
- 60 min
- ✓ Sense of community
- ✓ Low cost
- ✓ Recurring event
Tax and health insurance: what is possible
Employer health benefits can be tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — if they are provided in addition to the salary already owed and are either certified (§ 20 SGB V) or implemented within the company's health promotion process. Gym memberships and corporate fitness are not covered. For ZPP-certified courses (e.g. from Upfit), German statutory health insurers can reimburse all or part of the course fee to their insured members — then only the amount exceeding that reimbursement is tax-free. Projects within the company can be funded under § 20b SGB V, with no entitlement. Only your tax adviser can confirm the tax exemption.
How it works in EasyWHP
This Best Practice in EasyWHP: adopt it, adapt it, measure the effect
Once adopted, the measure is ready in EasyWHP — with instructions, an invitation and surveys before and after. You adapt what fits your company and see at the end what it achieved.
Screenshots with demo data, no real people.
Start this measure now
Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.
Try EasyWHP for freeRather take a look first? To the live demo →
Contributes to
Measure the impact with
Action field
Nutrition →A fitting occasion
- Healthy Eating Day
Related Best Practices
Not sure where to start? Self-check in approx. 7 minutes →