Metabolic health and cooking: the KPI is yumminess

Try living a little healthier and you'll discover something surprising: it can be fun and delicious.

At Swiss Re, we are fortunate to have one of the best staff restaurants in the Zurich area. Every day, our chefs prepare meals for more than a thousand people. So we asked them to take on a fun metabolic health challenge: could they create delicious recipes with smart carbohydrates, free from preservatives, that anyone could cook at home?

The chefs embraced the challenge with creativity, enthusiasm and no shortage of ideas. They focused on flavour, health and enjoyment.

The result? Metabolically healthier eating can be delicious, practical and accessible.

Metabolic health is one of the most important issues facing our Life & Health business. Insulin resistance – the root cause of poor metabolic health – is linked to many of today's most significant non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, many cancers and even some mental health conditions.

We've also seen the impact first-hand. By addressing metabolic health in our disability claims portfolio, we've helped people recover, return to work and improve their quality of life, while also reducing claims costs. 

Of course, cooking is only part of the picture. One of the things we have realised along the way is that metabolic health can be enjoyable and surprisingly easy to embrace. It can mean getting out on your bike, going for a hike or taking a swim. It also means getting enough sleep and building simple, sustainable habits that support better health every day.

So, as you watch the episodes and explore the recipes, I hope they do more than simply provide cooking inspiration. I hope they help demystify metabolic health and show that small changes can be both achievable and enjoyable.

Let's get cooking!

In our first video, Hans will take us through his low-carb fish challenge. This salmon with asparagus couldn't be easier to prepare.

George has over 20-years' experience in top restaurants around the world - and is now part of the Swiss Re gastronomy team in Zurich. In this video, he puts an exotic twist on a classic soul food: His chicken curry uses pear as a "smart-carb" way to sweeten the meal.

One for the vegetarians: Armin will show us how to grill aubergine and make a simple homemade hummus. This summer special is a great way to enjoy the grill season.