Corporate cafeterias’ menus undergo a healthy makeover

A health revolution is silently sweeping India Inc cafeterias as employees become more health conscious spurred by a rising trend of early lifestyle-related diseases. Protein-rich meals, diabetic-friendly/low-GI food, vegan or gluten-free alternatives, homestyle food with less oil and spices, and even ‘recovery-focused plates’ for fitness buffs are gaining currency.

Companies such as Capgemini, Hindustan Unilever, Larsen & Toubro, Accenture, Razorpay, and Myntra say they have initiated steps to promote healthy eating, food literacy, and conscious choices at their workplaces, viewing meals as a strategic input to drive energy, mood, and performance.

Corporates are opting for meals with less processed sugar and saturated fat, better hydration options, and those that are nutrient-dense and energising. Some are even setting up employee wellness counters, say food service providers like Compass Group and Rassense. “There’s been a significant rise in clients prioritising healthier food choices. Over 40% of our clients have requested health-centric menu transformations,” said chef Arjyo Banerjee, chief culinary officer at Compass Group India. “These are built on the belief that small nutritional changes at work can boost employee productivity, improve energy levels, and reduce absenteeism.”

Compass Group introduced healthier grain swaps like millets and brown rice; fermented items like kombucha and raita to aid gut health; functional foods such as lemon-infused buttermilk and sprouts, and wellness-led counters.

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Desserts are whipped up with jaggery, dates, and fruits, while favourites like biryanis, dosas, and pulao are reimagined with millets and quinoa. Technology, banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), Global Capability Centres (GCCs), pharmaceuticals, education and consulting — featuring younger, more healthconscious workforces, and largely sedentary job roles — are leading the change.

So, one can find calorie information on the food ordering app at Capgemini — it also hosts mindful eating sessions. At Razorpay, Manipal Hospitals’ nutritionists and dieticians curate weekly food plans; HUL offers calorielabelled, portion-controlled dishes and personalised dietary counselling. Accenture’s Purple Corridors programme promotes wellbeing as a collective responsibility at a team level, while even legacy companies like L&T opened diet-food counters at key office locations.

Rising health-related concerns among employees are fuelling the shift. At L&T, annual health checkup data revealed a spike in lifestyle-related conditions such as high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. To counter this, the engineering and construction conglomerate adopted a holistic, preventive healthcare approach — with nutritious food access playing a critical role, said Dr Divyang Shah, headmedical services & community health centres at L&T.

In recent months, cafeteria menus have been enhanced to offer balanced meals prepared with minimal oil — with guidance from internal and external nutrition experts. HUL, through its ‘Healthier U’ programme, developed in collaboration with the Workforce Nutrition Alliance, rolled out several initiatives to promote balanced eating. These include reducing salt, sugar, and oil intake, and adding local nutrient-dense superfoods. “Our food courts carry visual nutrition guides and educational signage to encourage informed food choices,” said a HUL spokesperson. These efforts are enhancing employee physical health, evidenced by reported improvements in blood sugar levels, weight management, and hypertension control, according to HUL.

“We believe that employee well-being begins with everyday choices—starting with what’s on our plates,” noted Vijay Chandramohan, head of corporate real estate services (CRES)-India and APAC at Capgemini. “By introducing calorie labelling, expanding healthy food options, and offering expert-led sessions on mindful eating, we’re empowering people to make informed decisions. This reflects our commitment to a workplace culture rooted in health, awareness, and long-term well-being.”

Across companies, employee
feedback is playing a key role in shaping food offerings. Razorpay, for instance, has a dedicated food feedback channel on messaging company Slack where employees share suggestions and preferences. These are reviewed by teams and shared with food vendors for implementation wherever feasible.

“Several enhancements to our menu have come from employee feedback. For instance, the introduction of healthier evening snacks and add-ons like salads and beans resulted from suggestions raised during town halls and focus group discussions,” said Chitbhanu Nagri, senior vice-president -people operations, Razorpay.

At online fashion and lifestyle retailer Myntra, the cafeteria offers varied healthy options — from detox water and fresh juices like tulsi-lime and kokum, to salads and seasonal fruits — and continues to evolve based on employee preferences, said Govindraj MK, CHRO.

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