Who doesn’t like the idea of a healthy and ready-to-eat lunch deliciously served through corporate catering? It is a well-known fact that no employee will ever pass on this opportunity and perk. Such a good-will gesture will make positive waves with staff and make a difference in how they feel about the company they work for. Well-fed stomachs lead to more productivity, a positive feeling, and mood improvement.
We know what you are thinking. Business catering is expensive, especially the healthier ones. In unprecedented times like these, it is difficult to allocate a large budget for free breakfasts and lunches. Rest assured that it is only a myth. Rewarding your employees with a catered lunch or breakfast does not have to break the bank. You simply need to look in the right places.
No more feeling like everyone in the office has ditched out on you. No more asking yourself, “How do I encourage employees to be healthy?” For the small cost of corporate catering in Toronto by Decadent Catering, we guarantee an office overhaul! Simply follow these 5 healthy ideas:
1. Always Offer Fruits & Vegetables
Fruit and vegetable platters are a must when considering healthy catering opportunities. They do not necessarily have to be served at the end of each meal. Most employees skip the fruits and vegetable platters after finishing the other meals as their bellies are full. Placing them first will not only encourage larger portions of healthy foods, but it will eliminate also waste. Eliminating waste is the first step to catering healthy foods on the budget.
2. Ask for the Bagels, Sandwiches, Wraps and Desserts to Be Cut in Halves and Quarters
All these items are often oversized when prepared by corporate catering companies and not all employees are willing to eat the items in their full entireties. Asking the catering company to cut the items before placing them on the platter will encourage your guests to eat smaller and healthier portions and ensure your budget is not wasted on food that is being thrown in the garbage.
3. Consider the Season
Business catering in the middle of a nice summer day may look different from one on a wet fall or cold winter day. When planning an event, always consider the season and what kind of food your eaters will want to eat. Also, because Decadent Catering mostly partners with local establishments and supermarkets, consider what kind of local produce may be in season to elevate your event.
4. Create a Balance Between Meat and Veggie Options
One way to reduce the amount of meat you are serving at a business event or luncheon is to even it out with veggies and salads so that it is the healthier side. Add cubed, cooked meats to skewers along with grilled cucumbers, zucchini and tomatoes and you will create a broken-down burger that is far healthier because of the ratio of veggies to meat.
5. Avoid Foods High in Sugar and Unhealthy Fats
Avoiding certain food options can help to make your catering choices healthy and more appetizing at the same time. Eliminating fatty foods is one of the simplest ways to make sure you are encouraging healthy eating. Other key items to avoid are foods high in sugar and salt.
Try excluding the following food items from your catering table:
• Fried food (e.g., chips, fries and fried meats)
• Savoury pastries (e.g., pies and pastries)
• Food with high-fat dairy (e.g., cream and butter)
• Sweets (e.g., chocolates)
• Pop and other carbonated beverages.
Remember, you don’t have to make big changes to your corporate events to allow for healthy choices. You only need to make a few adjustments here and there to leave your employees feeling satisfied but not stuffed and to avoid the post lunch slump. Also, it is important to remember that presentation is everything, so make sure your menu looks too good to miss.
