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Photo: Plate with healthy food options. Photo: Vegetables. Photo: Schedule, business planner.

Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS1105

Workplace Wellness: Power Foods at Meetings and Healthy Power Lunches

NOTE: This document is under author review and has not yet been published.

  • Rachel Tansey, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, Monmouth County

Food and beverages often play a key role in business meetings, contributing not only to the overall experience but also to participants' energy and focus. While planning nutritious, appealing, and budget-friendly options can be challenging, it's essential for supporting health and productivity. As an event planner, make sure to provide wholesome choices with sufficient protein that help maintain concentration and well-being throughout the meeting. According to the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans, diets rich in fiber—such as those including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Additionally, incorporating dairy products can support bone health across the lifespan. By making informed, health-conscious food selections, meeting planners can create an environment that promotes both wellness and workplace performance.

Why is the Food Planner Task So Challenging?

Meeting planners often find it difficult to design a meal or refreshment break menu that provides nutritional balance and is appealing to all the meeting participants. Before planning a menu, it's a good practice to inquire about food allergies, dietary restrictions, and religious, ethnic, or cultural food practices on meeting registration forms. Once the meal is set for the meeting, include table tents of the food items on the buffet table to ensure everything is clearly labeled for those needing to make appropriate choices.

Ready, Set, Plan a Healthy Meeting!

Aim to include a variety of nutritious foods that are low in fat, added sugars, sodium, and calories, while high in fiber. Reading food labels can help you better understand ingredients and make informed choices. Keeping portion sizes reasonable and menus simple—focusing on fresh, whole foods—often leads to healthier outcomes. For convenience and cost-effectiveness, consider offering fresh fruit and pre-cut vegetables instead of relying on expensive catering menus. When working with a food provider, look for those who offer balanced, health-conscious options to support your wellness goals.

When food is brought into your meeting, use the following tips to help ensure your choices are balanced, nutritious, and support overall wellness:

Smart Strategies for Making Restaurant Meetings More Effective

Providing nutritious, appropriately portioned, and visually appealing food at business meetings supports the health and well-being of employees. By offering snacks that align with dietary needs and avoiding high-fat, high-sodium, and overly sweet options, businesses promote a healthier workplace culture. Ultimately, incorporating healthy food choices into meetings benefits both employers and employees, contributing to overall productivity and wellness.

Roasted Garlic Hummus

Hummus is easy to make and full of nutrients! It makes a delicious spread on your sandwich or is perfect as a dip for fresh veggies. It works well to have chickpeas (garbanzo beans) on hand to prepare the hummus for a work-day snack. Hummus is easy to make and is not too messy when eating at your desk.

Ingredients

Preparation Steps

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (if you have a toaster/broiler oven you can use it instead of heating your large oven). Cut a piece of aluminum foil about 12 inches square. Cut the garlic head in half crosswise. Place it on the foil. Drizzle olive oil over the cut sides of the garlic. Put the garlic back together and seal the foil tightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. The garlic cloves will be soft and fork tender.
  2. When cool enough to handle, squeeze the garlic cloves out of the head. Set aside.
  3. Place chickpeas and garlic in a food processor. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Blend until thick and smooth. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve hummus with whole grain pita bread, or fresh carrots, broccoli, celery, and red or green peppers. Enjoy!

This fact sheet is one of a four-part series with titles Workplace Wellness: Healthy Eating While on the Job; Workplace Wellness: Ways to Increase Your Physical Activity on the Job; and Workplace Wellness: Stress Less on the Job also available.

Additional Information

For more information, visit these websites:

Resources


This publication is based on the work of Joanne Kinsey, MS, CFCS, CWWS, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, Emerita.

June 2025