British Horseracing has launched a new website that gives straightforward healthy eating advice to stable and stud staff. The Feelgood Fodder website aims to help those working in racing to shop on a budget, to plan and prepare simple meals and stay healthy by thinking more about their eating habits.

The website provides basic nutritional information as well as simple, cheap suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks – showing that eating healthily can be convenient, inexpensive and tasty.

Feel Good Fodder contains straightforward tips to help employers help their staff to eat healthily and on a budget, which in turn will help them work to the best of their ability and possibly reduce absence. Poor nutrition can cause a range of symptoms and illnesses. Employee absences are costly and disruptive – according to a recent study workplace absence typically costs an employer £692 per year per member of staff.

The website also has opportunities to win prizes and will feature recipes sent in by stable and stud staff as well as news of other nutrition initiatives around the industry, such as Racing Welfare’s recent “Ready, Steady, Cook!” event, which took place at Oaksey House in Lambourn.

Morag Gray, Chair of the British Horseracing Authority’s Welfare and Training Group, said: “Stud and Stable Staff need to be fit and well to do their jobs, but it can often be difficult to work a good diet into their demanding way of life. This is clearly an important issue for the sport and the involvement and support from both racing schools, the National Stud, Racing Welfare, the ROA, the RCA, the NTF, the PJA and NASS has been invaluable.”

Jim Cornelius, Chief Executive of the National Association of Stable Staff, said: ““This website will be a valuable resource for Stable Staff who need to keep fit and healthy.  There are job requirements such as keeping their weight down as well as performing strenuous tasks for long hours.  A well balanced, nutritious diet provided by themselves is far better than fast food and takeaways.”

The initiative is supported by the National Trainers Federation, whose Chief Executive Rupert Arnold said: “Fit horses need fit riders so it's got to be in the interest of trainers that their employees look after themselves properly. Good nutrition is just one part of a healthy lifestyle and this advice should go a long way to help with that.”

Cedric Burton of Racing Welfare said: “We have been promoting the benefits of healthy eating for some years and are pleased to be part of this new initiative which will help everyone enjoy the good, affordable food essential for health and wellbeing.”