The Wellness & Enrichment Team is encouraging employees who make arrangements for meetings or other events in which food is being offered, to follow these healthy eating guidelines:
1. Offer a variety of grains — especially whole-grain foods — and fruits & vegetables. Examples include fresh fruit and salads; fresh and cooked vegetables; whole-grain breads, pastas, and cereals; and muffins or fruit breads (no butter), or granola bars.
2. Provide fat-free, low-fat, or low-calorie foods and beverages. Ideas include fat-free or low-fat dressings or toppings such as salsa, low-fat yogurt dressing, sweet mustard; low-fat or calorie desserts such as angel food cake (w/fruit toppings); low-fat or skim milk, low-fat yogurt or cheeses; and lean meats, poultry or fish, cooked and dried beans, peas and lentils.
3. Offer foods and beverages low in added sugars. You could serve unsweetened cereals, fruit spreads, cereal bars, water, 100% fruit juices, and regular and decaffeinated coffee or tea.
4. Serve foods that are low in salt and sodium, such as unsalted pretzels, popcorn, or baked chips; grilled or roasted entrees; and entrees cooked with spices and herbs instead of salt.
5. Include smaller portions such as mini-muffins or mini-bagels and 1-inch low fat cheese squares.
6. Consider offering only beverages at mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks.
Additional information can be found at http://www.ahc.umn.edu/ahc_content/Colleges/SPH/sph_news/Nutrition.pdf
Small changes like these can have a huge impact on the health and well-being of GRCC employees. We hope you will use these guidelines when planning your next meeting or event.