PSOB Healthy Meeting Guidelines

To lead a healthier life, we need to make healthful food choices and be active every day.  The goal of Healthy Meeting Guidelines is to provide healthier choices in food that is served at meetings in the PSOB and to give people opportunities for physical activity.  By offering these healthy choices at workplace gatherings and events, you will be encouraging health and productivity while supporting employees’ interest in healthful eating and physical activity.

If you are allowed to order food, these guidelines can be used for selecting foods and beverages for breaks or meals at meetings, conferences, and other work-related events.  Please follow your agency’s policies and procedures when ordering.

Guideline 1

Create a norm that food does not have to be offered at mid-morning or mid-afternoon meetings and does not have to be used to motivate people to attend events.  Offer only water, tea, and coffee at mid-morning and mid-afternoon meeting breaks.

• Bite-sized fruits and vegetables in-season like grapes, cherries, cut-up melon, strawberries, carrot and radish coins, cherry tomatoes, and red pepper strips.

   

• Whole, fresh fruits like local pears and apples, oranges, kiwifruit, plums and nectarines in season.

   

• Water is a refreshing alternative to sugary drinks and juices.

Guideline 2

For meals during meetings include an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

• Serve cut-up fresh fruit for breakfast, as a salad, or for dessert.

   

• Offer smaller portions of whole-grain bagels, muffins, and cereal.

   

• Serve low-fat salads with a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

   

• Offer vegetables sandwiches or a sandwich tray with lots of fresh vegetables, sliced lowfat cheeses, lean meats, and lowfat spreads like black bean or humus.

   

• Provide whole-grains such as whole wheat, oat, or rye bread as well as whole-wheat tortillas, baked corn chips, and whole-wheat pita pockets.

   

• Serve entrees and side dishes with tasty beans, peas, and lentils.

   

• Offer skim or low-fat milk and yogurt.

   

• 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.

   

• Remember to ask for smaller portion sizes.

   

• How to tell if it’s low-fat:  If a food or beverage has three grams of fat or less per every 100 calories in a serving size, it’s low in fat.

Guideline 3

Schedule at least 10 minute of physical activity at a meeting/conference if it is at least 2 hours long.All day meetings should offer at least 2 opportunities for physical activity.