Healthy Lunch Ideas For Corporate Catering

Healthy Lunch Ideas For Corporate Catering

It was Aldous Huxley who said, “A man [or woman] may be a pessimistic determinist before lunch and an optimistic believer in the will’s freedom after it.” A testament to the transformative power of the midday meal. However, as we know, not all corporate lunches are created equal. How many times have you sat, meeting after meeting, staring down a plate of curled up sandwiches? Picking at a lackluster salad in the hope of finding a few crisp morsels to abate your hunger. Enough, already. Here are ten organic, healthy lunch ideas to revolutionize your corporate catering.

Positivity on a plate

corporate catering ideas - eco catersBefore we dig in, let’s consider for a moment why we should bother to ensure that lunch at work tastes and looks as good as any meal you’d order from a restaurant. Surely, all we’re after is raw fuel, right?

Certainly, in terms of depleting your energy reserves, eating lunch is the only way to sidestep the afternoon slump, unless, of course, that lunch is heavy on the carbs. Instead of skipping back to your desk feeling buoyant and recharged (ok, maybe that’s a stretch), you’re more likely to feel bloated, sleepy and less inspired than ever to crank through that to-do list.

Healthy lunch ideas are childsplay

corporate catering ideas - eco catersLet’s look at it from another angle. If you’re a parent you’ll be familiar with the hours we spend agonizing over what to feed our kids for lunch. Yet why is it that we just can’t seem to justify applying the same rules to healthy lunch ideas for adults?

Corporate benefits of healthy lunch ideas

corporate catering ideas - eco catersSo what happens when lunch gets exciting, healthy and creative? Suddenly everyone becomes a whole lot more engaged. People actually want to eat it, for a start. They feel nourished, not stuffed, and are energized throughout the afternoon. Sure enough, they begin to anticipate the next day’s menu. They make plans to meet friends over lunch. Teams bond, ideas are shared around a table, and there’s a buzz where there was once a vacuum.

As a business, there are many reasons to provide lunch for your employees, not limited to but including:

  • Healthier staff so fewer sick days
  • Increase employee productivity
  • Bonded cross-departmental teams
  • A boost in morale
  • An inspired workforce who feel cared for
  • Better staff retention
  • A powerful new tool for attracting talent

Let’s talk about ROI

corporate catering ideas - eco catersMany people assume that organic catering means costly catering services. Not so. When you work with smart organic corporate caterers with excellent relationships with local suppliers, you know that every dish is made using Mother Nature’s very best ingredients, which means they’re packed with flavor. They really only need the lightest touch to shine. Minimal salt, no unnecessary frills. In short, you get more bang for your buck.

A really good corporate catering company will also have perfected the right portion size to satisfy even the hungriest employee while minimizing waste. So make sure you choose from caterers that have a good reputation in a corporate setting. That means your hard earned dollar is never thrown out with leftover food. In fact, showing you care by giving your people a delicious, organic lunch daily is one of the most affordable ways to attract and retain talent and rocket afternoon productivity.

Vegetable Pad Thai with Cilantro, Mint, and Thai Basil

This light meat-free noodle dish is guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds and put a spring in your step to help power you through the afternoon. Hot, aromatic and uplifting this vegetarian and vegan pad thai is lovingly made using the best local, organic ingredients to deliver a depth of flavor with a refreshing zing of fresh herbs.

Grilled Garlic Herb Chicken with Roasted Cauliflower, Zucchini, and Farro

Brighten up your lunchtime catering menu with this symphony of flavors and textures from melt-in-the-mouth buttery chicken, savory herbs, and crunchy roasted cauliflower. Farro and zucchini provide the counterbalance to the sing-song brightness of the chicken to result in a satisfying dish that won’t weigh you down.

Adobe Jackfruit Burrito with Sauteed Peppers and Onions, Orange Scented Black Beans, Citrus Slaw, and Pepperjack Cheese

Low-carb, gluten-free and vegan, this jackfruit burrito is the perfect guilt-free lunch, not least because it’s light but filling enough to sustain you for the rest of the working day. A little citrus twist gives balance to the earthiness of the beans and transforms the humble burrito into a work of art.

Grass Fed Beef and Barley Bowl with Golden Beets, Broccoli, and Fire Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette

Sometimes only comfort food will do on your corporate catering menu. If you’re in need of a little lunchtime love then this medley of golden beets, deep green broccoli, and fire red peppers will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.

Zucchini Noodles with Pesto, Cherry  Tomato, and Parmesan

Chefs are suckers for a simple dish that pays tribute to truly great ingredients. Don’t be deceived by the short list of ingredients in this wholesome summery meal, it punches far above its weight and delivers tenfold with big, bold flavors guaranteed to win over your staff.

Minced Turkey Lettuce Wraps with Ginger, Bean Sprouts, Chili, Basil, and Cilantro

Think of the low-fat protein as the canvas, and the splashes of color as zesty notes of ginger, a kick of chili, and aromatic herbs. It’s the ideal pick-me-up after a heavy morning–light, energizing and easy to digest, but substantial enough to spur you on through the afternoon.

Gluten-free Bun Noodle Salad with Cucumber, Carrot, Thai Basil, Mint, and Crispy Garlic

Veggie-packed and delicious, this noodle salad is positively saintly (don’t worry, sinners, you can dig in too). It’s a crunchy rainbow of a dish that will delight your taste buds and keep sensitive tums happy.

Roasted Pork Loin with Apple Cider Glaze, Roasted Yams, and Grilled Broccoli  

Pork and apples are a match made in heaven, but why save it for Sunday? Pair them with immunity-boosting, paleo-friendly yams for your midday meal and you’ve got a classic comfort dish with hidden superpowers.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Farmers Market Salad

Who doesn’t love a sumptuous vitamin-packed tomato soup? Fragrant and wholesome (nostalgic, even?), this soup has the power to bring you back to yourself when your mind has been spinning all morning. A crunchy fresh farmers market salad provides added bite and together, they’ll send you on your way feeling renewed.

Grilled Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Hummus, Arugula, Yogurt, and Pickled Onion

Bursting with Middle Eastern flavors (and aromas), this chicken shawarma is one of the best lunch ideas for work, not least because it’s light but delivers on taste. Served with earthy hummus, cooling yogurt and the sharpness of pickled onion, this dish is like a ticket too far-flung places…and then back to the office again.

Want to find out more about Simply Lunch? Drop us a line to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.

Spread the love