We tend to think of food as either sustenance or the center of social gatherings, but good eats are also synonymous with professional opportunity. In an office setting, a great meal or snack can make employees more active and make potential deal partners more amenable.
Good food promotes alertness, delivers energy, and makes people happy—but only if they can actually eat it. According to one source, some 317 million Americans live with dietary restrictions and allergens. That can make dishing out office meals a dicey prospect. There are steps you can take to make mealtime in the workplace a more pleasant production.
A Brief Look at Dietary Needs
People often decide what to eat based on cultural and health concerns or because of religious beliefs. Whatever the reasoning, these needs have to be met if you’re going to cater your office lunch with care.
Here are the big four:
- Vegetarian: Vegetarians avoid all types of meat, including beef, poultry, fish, pork and other types of seafood. Vegetarian catering should be thoughtful and intentionally meat-free rather than a spattering of side dishes.
- Vegan: Vegan catering should follow vegetarian guidelines while also avoiding any animal by-products, such as eggs, dairy, and honey.
- Dairy-free: People who are dairy-free enjoy a diet without most dairy products. They may, however, enjoy alternative dairy products such as almond milk or soy cheese.
- Gluten-free: Being gluten-free has become a bit of a health fad, but an estimated one in 133 Americans actually suffer from Celiac disease, a painful gastrointestinal disorder that makes it very difficult if not impossible for them to digest gluten. Gluten-free catering excludes bread, pasta, and even some spice mixes and salad dressings.
Putting Together a Diverse Office Catering Menu
Of course, there are also other possible restrictions that might be in play. You may have an employee who prefers to eat a high-protein diet or someone who needs to eat low-sodium foods. How does one thoughtfully order for the office?
The answer lies in catering: Trusted food partners are used to delivering diverse meals family-style while ensuring the food is delicious. They can also combine dietary restrictions so that a few dishes will serve more purposes. For example, Indian food is often gluten-free and vegetarian, for instance, and veggie-rich pasta is practically universally pleasing.
Why Cater at All?
It’s possible that you could snag snacks from your local grocery store or order in from a restaurant and address at least one staff member’s dietary needs, but most food outlets simply aren’t set up to juggle multiple restrictions or allergens. Caterers, on the other hand, specialize in crafting unique menus based on their clients’ preferences. What’s more, you’ll be less stressed and your employees will be pleased makes bringing in lunch seem like a no-brainer.
To order family-style meals for your office, dietary restrictions or not, contact Zerocater. Our partners have served millions of people across the United States while keeping each diner’s preferences and dietary needs in mind.
