Dietary Needs

Business people eating dinner at private event special diets
Dietary Needs February 25, 2020

Top 10 Ways to Advocate for People with Special Diets

Dietary Needs February 25, 2020

Ensuring a safe meal boils down to the importance of communication and advocating for guests with special diets. Creating and delivering memorable events is the plan. But, if an attendee becomes ill due or food poisoning or a meal being contaminated with listeria, the likelihood of return engagement evaporates. Food safety aside, another way attendees can become ill is by being served a meal unsafe or inappropriate for their health condition. Equally concerning is serving a dish which contradicts a religious belief system or health choice. Food allergies, celiac disease, and diabetes are a few health conditions that require personalized…

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Chestnuts roasting in metal pan on an open fire nut allergy
Food Allergies December 5, 2019

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire…Are they an Allergen?

Food Allergies December 5, 2019

The Nat King Cole holiday tune about chestnuts is catchy, but for some of us in the food industry, this song leaves us scratching our heads. Are chestnuts a culinary nut? What about nutmeg? Isn’t it a spice? The world of nuts can be a little nutty (pun intended), confusing, and delicious! Let’s look at a few fun and important facts about these holiday favorites.

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Low GI diet food with blood sugar testing equipment diabetes type 1
Medical Conditions November 26, 2019

Diabetes: Know Your Types

Medical Conditions November 26, 2019

While you may be covering the bases for attendees with Type 2 diabetes already by offering healthy food options, those with the Type 1 form of the disease may need a bit more in the way of accommodations.   Most of us have at least a passing knowledge of the most common form of diabetes, Type 2, in which the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin, or the person has developed insulin resistance. But Type 1, also known as Juvenile-onset diabetes, is generally much less well-known, with the possible exception of those who were fans of the Baby-Sitters Club young-adult series…

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fruits-and-vegetables-in-female-hands-with-medical-equipment-on-blue-background diabetes
Dietary Needs November 6, 2019

Demystifying the Diabetes Dilemma

Dietary Needs November 6, 2019

Sugar, like caffeine, is a go-to picker-upper for most meeting attendees. Hang around the edges of any meeting break buffet table and I guarantee that, sooner or later, you’ll hear someone half-jokingly talk about learning how to ride the caffeine and sugar highs just right to avoid jitters on one end, and the inevitable crash on the other. But it’s no joke for attendees who live with diabetes, for whom soaring or guttering blood sugar levels can be potentially life threatening.

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Vegan tacos with baked chickpeas, avocado, sauce and vegetables on dark background, top view — vegetarians vegetarianism
Lifestyle Choices October 8, 2019

50 Shades of Vegetarianism

Lifestyle Choices October 8, 2019

Before you can meet the dietary needs of those who prefer or require plant-based diets, you need to know all the different forms those who consider themselves to be “vegetarians” can take. “Do you have a vegetarian option?” These words once struck fear into the hearts of unprepared banquet servers and venue kitchen staff, who at best would scramble to whip up some brown rice and steamed broccoli in hopes that would satisfy the vegetarian conference-goer’s needs. With almost of fifth of the U.S. population either identifying as vegetarian or interested in going veggie at least part time (7.3 percent…

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September fall foliage orange colors
Religious Dietary Practices September 2, 2019

September 2019 Religious Calendar

Religious Dietary Practices September 2, 2019
The month of September often symbolizes a time of change and transition as we exit the summer months and the autumn begins. The next 30 days are full of religious celebrations, including the Jewish High Holy Days. Read more about these sacred traditions in order to better accommodate employees and colleagues who observe them and the corresponding dietary restrictions. September 2 — Janmashtami Observance and Dietary Restriction Janmashtami is an annual Hindu holiday that celebrates the birth of Krishna, a popular and widely revered Indian deity. One of the largest religious festivals in the world, Janmashtami is celebrated by almost…

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Disabilities Food Allergies August 8, 2019

Thrive! in August: All About Mustard

Disabilities Food Allergies August 8, 2019

If you have to manage a food allergy or intolerance, traveling abroad or attending a business meeting or family picnic can be a minefield to navigate your allergy. From communicating your allergy in another language to knowing how that country, region or chef uses the food in their cuisine makes the already challenging situation even more difficult.  Peanuts, for example, are used in many restaurants and street food stalls in Thailand. Often, the nuts are ground down to use as a garnish, meaning it is impossible to guarantee meals prepared nearby are entirely nut free. Mustard, an ancient flavor which…

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psychological impact of food allergies
Food Allergies June 7, 2019

The Psychological Impact of Food Allergies

Food Allergies June 7, 2019

Food Allergies Psychologically Impact Social Experiences We all have an inherent human emotional need to associate with and be welcomed by others within groups. Whether it’s the kickball team, family, the neighborhood book club or the office, the need to belong is at the heart of each of us feeling accepted, getting attention and gaining/providing support. As we go through life, we are motivated to fulfill these social needs along with our basic needs of food, housing and love. It drives our need to feel good about ourselves.   “The need to belong is an intrinsic motivation to affiliate with others…

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