After all the office holiday parties in December, it’s no surprise that the top two New Year’s resolutions are “get in shape” and “lose weight.” Other food-related resolutions like eating healthier often round out the list.
Whether you’re planning a holiday party or another event, you want to help your team get started on those resolutions. You can by providing healthy catering options.
The biggest problem is that you’re not sure where to start. You want to impress your colleagues and co-workers with a flavorful spread. Does providing healthy options mean sacrificing flavor or presentation?
It doesn’t have to, especially not with these 14 healthy food catering options. Try one out for your next meeting, party, or event and taste the difference!
1. Kale Chips Offer Snackable Crunch
If you’re searching “healthy catering near me”, you might be looking for some lighter afternoon fare. If that’s the case, you’re probably trying to cut back on staples like cookies and crackers.
Crackers are carb-loaded, and they may be packed with salt. Chips are another common choice. They’re often fried in unhealthy oils and chock-full of saturated fats.
Spring for some kale chips instead. They provide the perfect crunch for a late afternoon snack. They’re also available in a wide variety of flavors.
Ask your caterer about providing different options so people have a choice. You can also offer a low-fat dip as the perfect accompaniment.
2. Fruit Arrangements Are More Than Meets the Eye
If you think your guests will want something sweet, talk to your caterer about fruit. A fruit platter can be a great starting point, but don’t be afraid to get more creative.
Fruit is a great medium for creating fanciful arrangements. Fruits can be cut into different shapes to create bouquets of flowers. A watermelon can become a sculpture.
Not only does this sweet treat satisfy sugar cravings, it can provide visual “wow” for your guests too.
3. Start With Soup
Another good option for a lighter lunch or mid-afternoon meeting is soup. Soup makes an excellent starter, or it can become part of a healthy soup-and-sandwich entrée.
Look for lighter soups. Some, like chowders and bisques, are cream-based. Others are full of salt, so you may want to avoid them as well.
A fresh minestrone or vegetable soup is a great option, especially on cold days. If your meeting is in the middle of the summer, there are even cold soups like gazpacho.
If you want to add winter favorites like butternut squash or potato, you can opt to provide soup shooters. These smaller portions pack a powerful flavor in just the right size.
4. Crudité Stations Add a Touch of Flair
Veggies and dip are to office parties as email is to running your business. This year, you can take this tried-and-true staple to the next level by offering a crudité station.
Crudité stations give the veggie platter an update, mixing both vegetables and fruits. They also add some lesser-known options, like radishes and mushrooms.
Your dip options also get an upgrade. You’ll find hummus and other flavors here, giving your guests the chance to try something new.
5. Adopt Antipasto for Lighter Italian Fare
Most people associate Italian cuisine with pasta, rich sauces, and lots of bread. You can still have an Italian-inspired meeting menu with healthy catering.
Antipasto is an Italian tradition that counterbalances the rich dishes found on most menus. They’re lighter salads, with a touch of hams and cheese to up the flavor factor.
Best of all, antipasto usually involves ingredients like artichoke and asparagus. It’s a delightful twist on the classic salad bar.
6. Wraps Are a Modern Twist for the Modern Office
Sandwich trays are a tried-and-true staple of the corporate meeting world. They’re not a great option for healthy catering, though, because they involve a lot of bread. Some of the fillings and dressings can also pack more calories than you might expect.
Beyond that, though, sandwich trays are boring. Your office has evolved, so don’t be afraid to evolve your catering too.
If you’re still wedded to the idea of the sandwich tray, give wraps a go. A tortilla or a pita cut down on the carbs, and the fillings can be revamped for almost any taste. Try leaner meats like chicken, then add some Southwestern spice for a better sandwich.
Wraps are also versatile, so don’t be afraid to ask your caterer about vegetarian and vegan options. Gluten-free wraps may also be available. Replacing the bread with leafy greens is another exciting healthy food catering idea.
7. You Can Still Serve Alcohol With Healthy Catering
Alcohol may seem like the complete opposite of a healthy menu for your next office event, so you may want to avoid it.
Some guests may still expect a drink. This is especially true if the event is a holiday party or meant to impress a business partner or shareholders.
You can still serve alcohol even as you get some healthy catering. Light beer and gluten-free wines can help you fulfill this request.
You should always provide other beverages options for your office guests as well. Your caterer should be able to make suggestions.
8. Swap Meat for Veggies
When it comes to ideas for healthy food catering, one of your best bets is swapping out meats for veggies. Take, for example, the humble eggplant. When prepared correctly, eggplant makes an excellent meat replacement for almost everything:
- Add it to a sandwich with cheese and tomato sauce for a zesty Italian taste
- Swap chicken for eggplant to create eggplant parmesan
- Try an eggplant steak instead of beef or pork
Eggplant’s texture and mild flavor make it a great option.
Of course, you don’t need to do away with meat if you don’t want to. You can replace the “pigs” in pigs-in-a-blanket with asparagus for a bacon-wrapped treat. It’s still much healthier.
9. Stuff Peppers and Mushrooms for Exquisite Tastes
There’s still so much more you can do with vegetables that will have your guests raving. A great option is to stuff vegetables like peppers and mushrooms.
Simply roast these veggies, then fill them up with your favorite quinoa, rice, or pate. Cheese, sauce, and spices can round out the flavor profile. Talk to your caterer about the healthiest choices and the different options you can offer.
10. Net Some Seafood Flavors
Another option you have is to add some seafood to the menu for your next business event. Keep in mind that not everyone will eat fish or enjoy it, but many fish provide a healthier alternative to meat.
Some seafood, such as shrimp or calamari, make excellent starters. A sushi platter can be an interesting and adventurous option. Be sure to include cooked and vegetarian options.
Salmon steaks can be a great alternative to meat. It’s also much different than what your guests might otherwise be served.
11. Portobello Mushroom Burgers Satisfy Cravings
You might be looking for a healthier option for mini-sliders or even burgers. Take a page from a vegetarian restaurant menu here. Think about a Portobello mushroom burger.
This is a staple for most vegetarians and vegans, as the mushroom patty provides great flavor and texture. There’s no strange aftertaste. Your guests will most definitely be satisfied after sinking their teeth into a slider or two.
12. Add Salad Shooters With Dressing on the Side
Salad is a mixture of true foods, but it can be so much more than a bed of raw vegetables and leafy greens. You can think about making your salad choices into meals in their own right, adding a bit of rice or quinoa.
Salad dressings are usually what add fat and calories to salads. You might worry that ditching them will mean there’s no flavor, but that doesn’t need to be the case.
Any caterer worth their salt can point you in the direction of lighter dressings that still deliver flavor. You can also create salad shooters to manage portions. You may opt to serve dressings on the side, so each guest can determine how much or how little they want.
13. Practice Moderation With Sweets
When it comes to dessert, you have plenty of options for healthy food catering. We already mentioned fruit, but don’t forget about coconut and almond pops.
Use fruit juice, coconut milk, or almond beverages to create these frozen treats. Offer toppings like chopped nuts, fresh fruit, or even a drizzle of honey. This will complete the upscale build-your-own sundae bar.
If you’re not ready to let go of ice cream just yet, remember to practice moderation. Offer ice cream and other sweets as shooters, which provide portion control.
14. Look Internationally for Inspiration
Finally, if you’re feeling a bit stuck, take a look around the globe. Many cuisines provide light, healthy options with plenty of flavor.
You can look to India for vegetarian inspiration, while Japan showcases seafood well. Mediterranean cooking has been hailed one of the healthiest options. Traditional Mexican flavors use plenty of spices and vegetables.
Do Healthy With Taste
The options for healthy catering are almost limitless. Talk to catering companies near you or take these ideas with you into the kitchen as you prepare for your next business event.
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