A balanced diet, composed of proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, and other important nutrients, is necessary to maintain good health. And when it comes to parties, many people think it's difficult to stick to a diet at birthdays and weddings, but that's not true; it is possible to have a healthy and inclusive menu at your event!

There are countless recipes and menu suggestions that deliver great flavor and health benefits, promising to impress guests. To guarantee this success, you need a specialized team, and in honor of Nutritionist's Day (August 31st), our content today is about just that.

Learn how to create a healthy menu for your event with variety, flavor, and quality!

The importance of a healthy diet.

First of all, it's important to talk about the importance of a healthy diet and that yes, it's possible to maintain it during festive times. Consuming foods rich in nutrients, vitamins, and fiber helps maintain good health. and according to the Pan American Health Organization, It helps protect against chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and more.

Furthermore, it's also a way to maintain well-being and is gaining more and more followers every day, who opt for healthy menus in their daily lives and also at parties.

So what does it really mean to maintain a healthy diet? We'll explain: according to Abeso, it is... consume the nutrients our body needs to function properly, For example, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. As well as taking into account three pillars: variety, moderation, and quality.

Increased interest among people in healthy options.

Thus, being aware of the positive impacts of a good diet, the community is increasingly seeking to have a healthy menu both in everyday life and at events.

To give you an idea, a study by Euromonitor International indicated that sales of healthy products – which include everything from gluten-free or lower-sodium items to certified organic products – reached R$ 100 billion in Brazil in 2020.

In other words, it's important to be aware of this trend and have the tools and knowledge to create the most suitable healthy menu for your event, whether it's social or corporate.

Tips for creating a healthy party menu

At Center Convention, a catering team comprised of various professionals, including chefs, assistants, and nutritionists, oversees the entire process of creating and executing the event's menu.

Wendel Carvalho, Events and Food & Beverage Manager at Center Convention, shares a little about how this process works:

“Currently, for food and beverage services, there is a range of menus designed to cater to all types of audiences. These are already predefined for when the client doesn't have a direct choice in mind. But there are occasions when the client prefers a menu composed of regional dishes, or specific options such as kosher, vegan, vegetarian, and also healthier food; at this point, we bring in a multidisciplinary team to understand the client's brief and create a menu according to their needs and those of their guests,” he says.

In these cases, the entire menu is custom-designed by the executive chef, along with the nutrition and management team. Wendel also shares the high demand for healthy menus:

“There has been a growing demand for healthy food with less fat, more grilled foods, more salads and fruits. Fruits, in particular, have been options, for example, for coffee break services, whether whole, portioned or in fruit salads for coffee breaks between meetings,” she points out.

Now, check out some tips for creating a healthy menu that will win over your event guests!

Think about the duration of your event.

When planning corporate meetings, it's important to consider the duration, as many can last more than one session or even several days. Therefore, the menu should cater to all these moments, if meals are provided at the event.

A tip for a healthy menu at morning gatherings is to provide a light coffee break. Therefore, opt for organic coffee, natural juices, smoothies, whole-wheat bread, cottage cheese, and yogurt. Additionally, offering whole-wheat cakes is a good idea, and always strive for balance: will there be savory snacks? How about choosing baked goods instead?

During lunch, the menu will depend on the service style. If it's a buffet, opt for a variety of salads, whole-wheat pasta options, and leaner meats like chicken and fish. Now, if the goal is a quick lunch, whole-wheat wraps and sandwiches work well.

Finally, remember to offer snacks to participants during the event, and a healthy option is a mix of nuts and seeds.

Healthy and inclusive menus

A healthy menu can also be inclusive and cater to people who are vegetarian, or have lactose or gluten restrictions. Therefore, consider that your event may have guests with one of these restrictions, and it's important to have options to accommodate them.

Dishes with cereals, grains and fruits, lactose-free cheeses or gluten-free pasta can be prepared. In addition to other classic recipes that cater to both those with and without dietary restrictions.

For social events

Finally, social events. Many believe it's difficult to maintain a balanced diet during times of relaxation and celebration, but the key is balance. It's possible to offer a healthy menu at any event that is both flavorful and nutritious, and weddings, graduations, and birthdays are no exception.

Japanese food islands, for example, are good bets and are booming in the market because they have many fans and offer various options with fish, which are leaner proteins.

Another tip is finger foods, a buffet option that works well for social events, and here the difference lies in the choice of ingredients. Opt for lactose-free sauces, light fillings, and vegetables.

Make your event a healthy one with us!

At the Center Convention, you can find a variety of healthy menus and catering support, so hold your meeting with us! You can check out all the infrastructure available at the Convention and throughout the Center Shopping Complex by speaking with our team. Call us at (34) 3239-8300 or email comercial@centerconvention.com.br. You can also reserve a date by clicking [here]. HERE.