Employees can be encouraged to follow a healthy lifestyle at work by making smart choices, stated an American Cancer Society tips guide this month.

Eating well and remaining active—even at work—can lower the risk of cancer, obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes, while keeping minds sharp and more focused.

The American Cancer Society team shared the following tips for increasing efficiency and productivity at meetings:

• Studies show eating breakfast helps people concentrate and perform complex tasks. Good choices for a morning meeting include fresh fruit, whole-grain bagels or mini-muffins with reduced-fat cream cheese, high-fiber cereals and low-fat yogurt.
• Stock vending machines with healthier choices, such as dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds, baked chips, animal crackers and low-fat cereal bars.
• Take activity breaks. Put on some music and demonstrate stretching exercises that can be done while seated.
• Encourage participants to go for short walks while they have discussions.