Meetings and Wellness: Are you an encourager or a discourager?

Nearly half of our waking hours are spent at work, and many of those hours are spent in meetings and conferences. Many studies have shown a strong relationship between the workplace environment and the health behaviors of employees. By being a leader and adopting healthy meeting guidelines, you can help your organization create an environment that supports employees' efforts to eat well and be physically active. Here are some tips for changing the meeting environment in your organization.

General recommendations

* Offer nutritious food and beverage options.

* Offer recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, especially for all-day meetings.

* Place healthier foods and beverages in prominent positions, where they are most likely to be seen and more likely to be chosen. Avoid placing candy dishes out on tables.

* Provide reasonable portions of foods and beverages (i.e., avoid large portions). If only large portions are available, cut them into smaller portions.

* Ensure healthier options are attractively presented, appealing, and taste good.

* Offer physical activity opportunities that are relevant to the audience and environment to help people achieve at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day.

Here are some examples of healthful beverages:

* Make water the default beverage.

* Do not offer full-calorie sugar-sweetened beverages. Serve flavored waters or mineral waters, low-fat or nonfat milk, calcium and vitamin D-fortified soymilk, or beverages with 40 calories per container or less.

* Offer low-fat or non-fat milk with coffee and tea service in addition to or in place of Half & Half.

Here are some examples of light food options:

* Fresh sliced fruit and vegetable tray - offered with low-fat dips.

* Whole grain crackers or granola bars (5g fat or less per serving).

* An assortment of low-fat cheeses and whole grain crackers.

* Pita chips served with hummus.

* Whole grain muffins (cut in half, if not serving mini-muffins) and whole grain breads.

* Low-fat yogurt.

* Pretzels, popcorn, baked chips, and trail mixes.

* Bagels with low-fat cream cheese or jams - cut bagels in halves or quarters.

Include some physical activity to break up long meetings:

* Mention to attendees (through announcements or in written materials) that it is fine to move within the meeting space (standing, stretching); integrate exercise equipment if possible within the space (exercise balls in place of some chairs, raised tables for standing).

* Periodically break up sitting time.

* For conferences or all-day meetings, support physical activity before, during, and after the work of the day.

* Provide adapted programming or alternative activities for those with physical disabilities.

* Identify someone to facilitate a short physical activity break(s).

By making meetings and events reflect your organization's commitment to good health, you are increasing opportunities for healthy eating in all aspects of an individual's life. Cheers!

Dr. SeAnne Safaii, Ph.D., RDN, LD, is an associate professor at the University of Idaho.