Offices and workplaces are well known as nesting ground for calories. Not only is everybody constantly bringing some leftover treats from their private parties but there are also office parties, and chances are you can find yourself constantly going for some snacks and tasty bites. And you top it all off with some soda. If you don’t want to gain a few kilos after every office holiday season, here’s a little guide on how to throw a healthy office party.
Why go healthy?
We spend so much time at work that it’s no surprise that our office nutrition habits have a major impact on our weight and health. But, healthy foods actually have more benefits than just keeping you fit. People who binge eat and snack at the workplace are generally less productive. Healthy foods will boost your metabolism, give you more energy and make you more productive. Also, make sure to drink enough water at work. Unlike sugary sodas, water will not only make you hydrated and energised but also clear-minded, more focused, more productive and less stressed.
It’s all in the food
Office party food is often quite high in calories, plus it’s bite-sized so you sometimes don’t even notice how much you actually ate. A little bit here, a little bit there, and soon you can’t fit in your work slacks anymore. But, if you need some help to stay on the right track, you can bring in some healthy and low-cal snacks for everyone to enjoy. The best thing you can do is serve classics such as deviled eggs, chilli or different dips, all made with a little twist. Instead of traditional deviled eggs full of mayo, you can load them on much lighter and healthier Greek yogurt instead. Instead of beef in chilli, you can use lean ground chicken, and instead of fatty cheese dips, serve less traditional baba ghanoush or tzatziki dips. You can also switch potato chips for some healthier pita chips or water crackers. You can even forget about chips altogether, and serve some fresh and crunchy veggies such as carrot, celery or bell pepper. If you’re not the one for cooking and chopping, you can always find some good corporate caterers and choose their healthy menu. It’s easy, fast, delicious and, of course, healthy.
Drink (your health) up
Just like party foods, party drinks should be healthy and low-cal to lift up your spirits. You can bring balance to your celebration that can make your co-workers feel hydrated and energised. Put some fresh fruit and herbs into a pitcher of water, chill well and serve to get a low-cal but delicious infused water. You can also set out a variety of tea bags, some orange and lemon slices and a few cinnamon sticks for an easy-going office tea party. This will warm everyone’s heart, especially during the colder seasons. But if you feel extra adventurous, you can bring in a large batch of healthy and nutritious green smoothies for a real detox. Choose any of these delicious drinks and you will have a truly healthy and refreshing office party.
Other healthy ideas
Remember those classic fruit baskets? Well, there’s a reason why they are called classic. You can always whip up a basket full of fresh fruit. It’s easy to put together and it looks incredible. Put a little bit of everything to satisfy everyone’s taste and you will have a delicious and healthy alternative to other finger food. If you have some extra time, you can chop a few different kinds of fruit, toss them into a bowl with some lemon juice and you’ll have a great office party snack. Or simply serve a bowl of mixed nuts that are full of vitamins, fibres and protein.
As you can see, throwing a healthy office party doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, just making some low-cal alternatives will go a long way. Concentrate on veggies, fruit and lean protein, and you can’t go wrong. Soon, everybody in the office will be eating healthy without even noticing!
