There are no employees who are into sports or fitness activities? Especially since you mentioned a relatively young employee population?
Those into sports or fitness activities may not necessarily be trying to lose weight, but may be more likely to pay attention to what food they eat to support their activities and avoid gaining excessive fat that tends to be a hindrance to many such activities.
How about stir fried rice (cauliflower) with vegetables.
Vegetable kabobs. (anything on a skewer is appealing)
Meatballs (appetizer)
Deviled eggs
Spanakopita
As a suggestion, you might tell them your doctor has told you not to eat whatever it is they are pushing on you.
So sorry @Marian Food consumption still seems to be a topic where bullying is allowed. A friend with a very successful weight loss declined to indulge in the ice cream social at her place of employment. Her supervisor turned to her and said, “I hate people like you.” Ouch. The less said the better in my opinion.
I would suggest chicken skewers with a healthy sauce or a crust less quiche made with cruciferous vegetables.
My suggestion: Just tell them Oh, I’d love to have a bagel but for health reasons, I’m not allowed to eat that. Doctor’s orders. Or something along those lines. It’s not a lie. It is for your health. You don’t need to use the word DIET. On the other hand, live and let live. Let them indulge the way they want to.
“Bake sales to support various charities, and a lot of social pressure to buy something at each of them.”
Toss a dollar or two there way and repeat above. Gee, those look great. Wish I could eat one but can’t. But, here’s a small donation.
You can do you. They can do them. Just don’t slip into judgment zone and you’ll be fine, IMO.
I have had great luck with bringing grain salads. Quinoa and farro are great for salads. I also find French lentils make great salads. Any pasta or orzo salad can be substituted with a healthier grain.
If they are that ridiculous I might become gluten free for health.
I agree with @mom60. Coucous is also an easy/good dish.
Hostility at controlling your weight? Wow, this can’t be a company in the West, right? I’d get fired the 1st day. I’d let everyone know that I care about my health. Damn the torpedos when it comes to diet and exercise. It’s life or death, for me, it’s pick one.
How about boiled eggs with avocado and tuna on top (with or without yolk)?
I also thought of deviled eggs.
Another idea is a platter of cut up vegetables with several kinds of hummus.
Chicken salad made with plain yogurt instead of mayo. Add some curry powder and sprinkle some cashews on the top. Egg salad with more mustard and yogurt instead of mayo.Dont tell them that it’s yogurt and I bet most would have no idea.
Another really yummy dish is curry turkey bites. Google Nom Nom Paleo for the recipe. They are basically ground turkey meatballs that have been lightly smashed. They are good cold.
Roasted veggies with a little olive oil/basalmic or a splash of apple cider are nice this time of year.
Hummus and veggie platter.
I work at our synagogue PT. I hear you about the food culture. Have gained back a fair chunk of what I’ve lost. Part of it is that I’m sitting at a desk instead of moving around all day as I did when I was home, part of it is that my hours don’t coincide with my body’s hunger clock, so I am starving at noon and can’t go get food til 2 (so when I do get out. I grab whatever’s nearby), and when I get out of work, I am so exhausted I fall asleep in the car and don’t get to rehab. I eat when I’m exhausted and stressed.
Absolutely would make a small donation to the bake sale and move along without taking any goodies. Take half of a whole grain bagel. Skip the cream cheese and use Brummel & Brown, if that. I have brought my own condiments to work so I can have low-cal/fat/sodium alternatives.
Do you notice if the fruit salad gets eaten or do people turn up their noses?
I am climbing back on the wagon. Maintenance is really, really hard.
charcuterie board? cheese and dried fruit, nuts platter (throw some chocolate on for the indulgers)…
I use to make a big bowl of rice and use 3-4 Trader Joe’s indian packages of the garbanzo beans (do not remember the name. Always a hit and cheap and I would eat it also.
I cannot imagine working with this. I detest potlucks as I think hygiene in the kitchen is important and how
am I to trust all of these people? Also I am not a sweet eater and when cake is served I internally groan.
Hate bagels. Now I would take one and slather it and take a little piece and say I was eating the rest later.
My GF would take a piece of cake and say that she would eat it later. This is now what I would do if needed.
It was interesting that at a large lecture a few nights ago the “reception” consisted of brownies and bowls of
fruit --just apples, oranges and bananas. Wow! I at first though that it was odd that the fruit was not even
cut up. And all was devoured! This sophisticated group eating whole bananas and munching on apples and
peeling oranges. It was great.
When you take the fruit, do they eat it? If so, I wouldn’t worry about being ‘boring.’
If there isn’t anywhere to plug in crockpots, tell the bosses that there is a fresh food issue. No conference room? No kitchenette? They should designate one room/fridge for the potluck food.
How about an egg casserole or a quiche?
@twoinanddone, fruit does get eaten, yes. But I don’t want to make it a habit of always bringing the same thing. I now have some good ideas for alternatives.
@oregon101, I agree with you completely on the hygiene issue – or maybe I should say food safety issue in general. I’m pretty sure that some potluck dishes that should be refrigerated are sitting at room temperature all morning because there isn’t enough room in our floor’s refrigerator. The whole concept seems risky to me.
@abasket, it’s interesting that you asked about a wellness program. There’s nothing like that now, but a gym and cafeteria are under construction, and when they open, perhaps a wellness culture will develop. The last place I worked did have that kind of culture, and it seemed to be linked to the availability of those amenities.
To those who suggested citing health reasons for turning down food, I’m afraid that could be a double-edged sword. It might ease the food-related social pressures, but it would draw attention to the fact that I’m a lot older than most of my colleagues.
Thank you again, everyone, for all your thoughts and ideas.
D1 and D2’s circles seem really invested in staying fit and healthy. I’m surprised to hear about this kind of culture in a professional environment with many young people in it.
It’s really none of anyone else’s freaking business what you eat or don’t eat. The gall of your bosses!
I agree with grilled veggies, which are fine at room temperatures. Nuts are also great at room temps and can be purchased at reasonable banks prices in bulk at Costco and Trader Joe’s. Fruits are great, whole preferred if they’re going to be out at room temps for prolonged times—seedless clementines, mandarins, grapes, bananas are easy to eat.
I’ve made a variation of this salad. https://www.marthastewart.com/343576/lentil-salad-with-beets
But I bought cooked lentils and roasted beets from trader joes (they have them in the refrigerated section). Made a vinaigrette which I tossed with the package of cooked lentils in. Arranged the lentils and beets over a bed of greens and added goat cheese on top. No bacon for the vegetarians and the lentils were not warm.
It was easy and delicious. Trader Joes has some bags of salads that are great also.
I go to a potluck every Sunday. One of the participants makes 1/2 sandwiches, turkey and ham. She wraps them in paper and brings mayo. They are a huge hit believe it or not. I’ve found that when there are healthy alternatives, they are very popular. Another popular item was a caprese salad. Layered tomatoes and mozzarella cheese with basil on top and drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
I’ve also found that many people seem to be secretly happy to have healthier choices. When I bring fruit to a reception it’s always one of the first things to go. I also often bring nice bottled water in addition to wine to parties - I’ve yet to bring enough to last the whole evening!
“I agree with grilled veggies, which are fine at room temperatures.”
Yes, and so are stir-fried vegetables. There are lots of good bottled sauces available (teriyaki, pad Thai, etc.) if you need to save time.