Meeting Well with Power-Packed Foods

Simple changes to your meal or snacks can provide meeting participants with power-packed, disease fighting nutrients and give them the energy boost they need to stay alert through the entire day!

When planning your event, make sure to have:

  • Options for those with special dietary needs (vegetarian, kosher, allergies)
  • Fruits or vegetables at each meal
  • A variety of food items over the course of
  • the day
  • Enough breaks throughout the event
  • Plenty of water

Suggestions for beating meeting fatigue:

  • Provide co-workers with information about nearby walking trails, fitness centers, sports complexes or provide a day pass to a nearby fitness center
  • Organize a group walk during lunch or break
  • Give permission to stand during the meeting if desired
  • Encourage others to take the stairs if possible
  • Provide water and/or water bottles for meeting participants
  • Organize a stretch break

Things to discuss with your caterer:

  • Timing of meals and breaks and variety of food options
  • Seasonal options that make your event affordable (fruit, vegetables, etc.)
  • A variety of portion sizes

Recommended Choices

Beverages

  • Bottled water or sparkling water—regular or flavored with no sugar
  • 100% fruit or vegetable juices
  • Milk
  • Coffees, regular and decaf
  • Regular and herb teas—hot or cold (nonsweetened)

Breakfast

  • Whole or fresh cut fruit
  • Yogurt
  • Mini fruit bread or muffins
  • Granola bars
  • Whole grain cereals
  • Single serving cottage cheese
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Bagels, toast or English muffins

Meeting Breaks

  • Granola bars
  • Trail mix
  • Whole or fresh cut fruit
  • Popcorn
  • Tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip
  • Raw vegetables with dressing or hummus
  • Whole grain crackers w/string cheese
  • Pita with hummus or baba ghanoush

Lunch

  • At least one fruit and one vegetable
  • Green salads with dressings on the side (have a variety of options available)
  • Whole grain breads, lean meats, and assortment of vegetable toppings (lettuce, tomato, sprouts, onions, etc.), mayo or mustard for make your own sandwich stations
  • Pretzels or raw vegetables for the crunch factor

Dinner

  • Vegetable or broth based soups
  • Green salads served with dressing on the side
  • Lean protein (poultry, salmon or other seafood, tofu)
  • A variety of vegetables (at least 2 options)
  • Whole grains (brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, whole wheat bread)

Dessert

  • Sorbet, sherbet, frozen yogurt with fruit toppings
  • Assorted mini desserts
  • Fresh cut fruit
  • Smaller portion of desserts such as cookies or brownies