Whether it’s the 5 am starts, the back-to-back schedule or the physically demanding nature of the job – it’s no surprise eating healthy can often fall down the ladder of every tradies priority list.
Often dubbed Australia’s “most unhealthy occupation”, tradies are renowned for their love of processed meat pies, quick snacks and junk food as they seek to fuel themselves throughout the day.
Research from the CSIRO reveals that construction workers have one of the worst overall diets in Australia, ranking as one of the nation’s worst occupational groups for their dietary choices.
Their eight-year Healthy Diet Score report studied the diets of 235,000 Aussies across a range of jobs to conclude construction workers had the joint worst diet of any occupation nationwide, level with the unemployed.
They also consumed the second most discretionary foods (junk foods, sweets, processed, high-sugar, pastries, desserts, alcohol) of any occupation per week, with an average of 43 servings.
The unhealthy lifestyle is something most tradies are aware of, with 68 per cent of those surveyed by Hipages admitting they resorted to buying cheap, quick and not-so-nutritious meals on the job.
Gold Coast-based sparkie Dustin Parker is admittedly one of those diet-poor tradies; he told Build-it that the exhausting nature of the job is one of the main reasons behind his food shortcuts.
“Coming home after a 12-hour shift most days, I’m unusually knackered, so I just want to plonk myself on the couch, watch some telly and graze the fridge,” he told Build-it.
“The last thing on my mind is spending an hour in the kitchen, cooking, cleaning and preparing food for the evening or tomorrow.”
But while these time-saving dietary choices may save hours in the short term, they can also take years off your life as a result of diet-induced health issues, with processed foods and high-sugar diets proven to cause diseases and illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.
Some hacks for eating healthy on the tools without spending hours in the kitchen are as simple as making different food choices at the grocery store.
Time-saving tips for healthy smoko snacks:
- Make extra at dinner and use leftovers for lunch.
- Pack lunch the night before.
- Bring lots of water to help you feel fuller.
- Pack a protein shake for added muscle recovery.
- Choose fruit, vegetables, salads, and nuts that don’t need to be cooked.
Meanwhile, simple swaps can transform a tradie’s lunchbox from a food felony to a dietary dream.
Microwavable meals
Another way some tradies are choosing to eat healthy is by switching over to diet-friendly pre-made meals designed by dieticians to save them the mental and physical energy of preparing their healthy food.
Meal delivery companies such as Lite n’ Easy provide pre-packaged grab-and-go tradie lunches requiring next to no effort in purchasing, preparation or packing.
Dietitian for Lite n’ Easy Ashleigh Jones says relying on unhealthy junk foods for a mid-shift snack will not only take a toll on tradies’ wellbeing but also hold them back on the job site.
“We know that unhealthy fast food for lunch supported by morning and afternoon tea each day can have a negative impact on our general health and well-being,” she said.
It can cause weight gain that leads to disease, as well as brain fog and de-motivation.”
“Eating fast food or unhealthy snacks on the go is also a contributing factor to fatigue and concentration on a work site.”
Home construction company Metricon Homes recently took part in a pilot study with Lite n’ Easy. The building firm’s tradies took part in a 4-week healthy eating trial using the meal delivery service.
All of the construction team in the program reported at least one area of health improvement, whether it was weight loss, sleep quality, concentration or fatigue levels.
Metricon Tradie, Ivor Godsell, says he lost 8kg and gained improved focus from taking part.
“Early starts and such physical activity can make it hard to look after the body. By changing what I was eating and the time of day I sat down for meals, I noticed considerable weight loss,” he said.
“I also experienced improved sleep and saw a significant change in my concentration, which is so important, especially when using tools. I actually couldn’t believe how good I felt.”
