It was interesting to read the Food for Thought article in the September edition of Health Club Management (p80), which explored how operators can encourage customers to make healthier food choices.
The article raised an issue that’s often overlooked in our industry despite the clear importance of nutritious food options in health-focused settings, like leisure centres.
This a key priority at Parkwood Leisure, and to that end there has been a gradual move towards healthier options, both from a local authority client and customer point of view, in recent years.
A key consideration is, of course, maintaining the convenience that is a key appeal of traditionally unhealthy fast foods. However, we have tried to tackle this over the last 18 months by introducing familiar grab-and-go nutritious choices, including wraps, salads and fruit pots, in our venues, as well as adding portable snacks, such as hummus and quinoa crisps, fresh juices and coconut water to our vending machine offerings.
While providing healthy food is important, we’ve also found that supporting our members to eat nutritious meals at home is vital for achieving their health goals. For example, we’re currently working with a company called Muscle Foods to sell protein-based raw foods, including chicken and steaks, so members can conveniently pick up the ingredients for a nutritionally balanced meal after their workout and cook it at home.
These are just a few examples of how the nutritional value of foods offered to health club members can be improved. Plenty more can be done to build on this, but the most important thing is to take action sooner rather than later.