Eat well at meetings and forget about the graveyard slot

Are you still serving sandwiches and biscuits at meetings and events? Studies show that people with a ‘less healthy’ diet are 66% more likely to be less productive’ (Brigham Young University 2012)

It's time to eat better to get more out of your meetings and conferences!

 I have just returned from an all-day meeting at a wellknown conference venue. They served doughnuts and biscuits at the10am coffee break; for lunch there were sandwiches, white rolls and pastries. Needless to say, the slot after lunch did not receive the attention it deserved.

It’s no surprise that employee productivity is key to the success of your business. This is not only valid for the time employees spend at the office but even more so for conferences, events, all-day meetings and client events. The ability to focus, concentrate and be alert during the day depends a lot on the nutritional value of the food we eat.

There are better options than doughnuts!

Our body and brain are fine-tuned machines: the better the fuel, the better they run. We wouldn't fill up our sportscar with diesel, so why are we still eating foods which slow us down, make us feel tired and play havoc with our stress resilience?

Foods have an impact on our cognitive performance - depending on the rate in which they are being processed by the body. Bread, pasta, biscuits and sugary drinks release glucose quickly, which leads to a spike in blood sugar and an energy slump afterwards, resulting in disengagement and fatigue. Foods high in fat like bacon or sausage rolls and doughnuts provide more sustained energy, but our digestive system will need to work harder. A healthy meal which will support energy levels includes grains, vegetables and/or fruit as well as a good source of protein.

More and more companies and organisations see the connection between nutrition and productivity. They no longer accept the dreaded ‘graveyard slot’ after lunch.

So how should your event catering look like?

It's not about bland and boring foods - lighter meals and snacks, low in salt and saturated fat, high in protein and fibre, which won't have an effect on blood sugar will support blood flow to the brain, reduce tiredness and increase energy levels. Ask your venue for hearty and filling salads made with fresh and roasted vegetables, wholegrain breads with a variety of lean meats, freshly made low-sugar smoothies and naturally sweet energy bars. It’s easy to experience the progress to great nutritional value in foods without diminishing the enjoyment!

If your delegates eat well balanced snacks and meals they feel well looked after and take away more benefits from the event. Last but not least you will showcase a company culture that values health and wellbeing.

The Eventbrite 2017 Pulse Report finds that besides efficiency the catering stands out as being very important to choosing a venue.

Caterers and event organisations see an increase in enquiries looking for healthy, delicious and cost-effective meal options.

Forward thinking hotels and conference venues accommodate the growing demand in healthier foods and gain a significant advantage over their competitors by offering meals which are designed with your health in mind and approved by a certified Nutritional Therapist.

Everybody will benefit from better foods: The organiser, the venue, the delegates.

For advice and help on Nutrition for individuals, corporates or event venues please call me on 020 7873 2339 and visit www.carolabecker.com for more information.