Step 5: Be environmentally
friendly
Healthy Meeting Checklist
Take responsibility and incorporate environmental considerations when convening meetings. Go green. • • • • • • • •
Use reusable, washable serving containers and eating utensils. Use compostable materials when disposable is the only option. Use PowerPoint, online portals, laptops, email and USB drives to reduce printing needs. Collect reusable materials, such as ID laces, binders and folders if participants have no need for them. Order food and beverages in bulk containers rather than individual servings. If possible donate edible low risk leftovers. Air conditioners are one of the biggest users of power: regulate the temperature wisely. Ensure sufficient ventilation and optimal air quality standards.
Healthy Meetings
Be smoke free oo
All venues are smoke-free.
Eat healthy oo oo oo oo oo oo
Sugar-free alternatives to sodas are available. Foods low in fat, salt and sugar are available for breakfast and lunch. Wholegrain cereal options are available in place of white rice/flour. Healthy choices are available for people who don’t eat meat. Sauces are served on the side. Religious restrictions are considered.
Eat safe oo oo oo
Reputable and trustworthy caterers are used. Food is covered while waiting for the meeting break. High-risk foods are served immediately.
Be active oo oo oo
Step 6: Educate! Meetings involve a captive audience, thus offer a good opportunity to educate participants on the benefits of healthy practices. • • •
Set the tone for healthy meetings by referring to participant health as a priority, and in reference to health subjects discussed. Play active health games that make participants aware of their own unhealthy behaviours and suggest improvements as icebreakers Healthy eating can be fun and educational. Including small signposts indicating the nutritional value and benefits of food can encourage participants to make healthy and informed choices (nutritional value/kJ content can be shown in combination with energy expenditure for various forms of physical activity).
Physical activity is incorporated into the meeting through mobility breaks. Time for exercise is left in and after the schedule. Exercise facilities are easily accessible in/near the meeting venue.
Be environmentally friendly oo oo oo oo
Reusable materials are used for serving. Food is ordered in bulk. Leftovers are safely reused/redistributed. Room temperature is not too cold.
© World Health Organization 2013 All rights reserved. Photo credits: Cover page - WHO, Inside pages - AFP and WHO
Convening is one of the main activities of WHO and ministries of health. As a result, we spend a vast amount of time sitting in meetings. Following six steps for healthy meetings can help us on our commitment to promoting and protecting health, enhancing the well-being and health of our co-workers and meeting participants.
Be the change you want to see. —MAHATMA GANDHI
Step 3: Eat safe Ensuring safe food for meeting participants is a key step for healthy meetings. •
•
Beverages •
Step 1: Be smoke free 100% smoke-free environments are the only proven way to adequately protect the health of all people from the devastating effects of second hand tobacco smoke. • •
All meeting, dining and hotel venues should be 100% smoke free and without designated smoking areas. Offer smoking cessation information to meeting participants if feasible.
Serving healthy food illustrates a commitment to health and enhances the mood and concentration of participants to support more productive meetings. As a general rule, try to avoid foods high in fat, salt and sugar (including high fructose corn syrup). Sugar causes energy levels and moods to spike and crash, and can lead to poor concentration. If you are worried about upsetting members with a sweet tooth, provide brown sugar or honey on the side. Participants can choose to sweeten their meals according to individual preference. Chose unrefined (brown) cereals where possible (bread, rice, noodles). Where alternatives exist, we should not patronize companies who violate “The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes” or the subsequent related 18 World Health Assembly resolutions.
•
Breakfasts • •
Replace sugary, salty, and high-fat breakfasts with sugar-free, low salt and low-fat options. Use breakfast as an opportunity to serve fresh fruit.
•
Snacks •
Eliminate snacks containing simple carbohydrates such as sugar and refined flour. Opt for healthy fruit and vegetables.
Meals •
Step 2: Eat healthy
Replace sugary drinks and sodas with water and unsweetened fruit juices.
Use reputable caterers and ensure they meet national legislative requirements. Ideally they should have the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point System (HACCP) in place. Ensure foods are covered while waiting for the meeting break and make sure high-risk foods are served immediately. High-risk foods are those that support microbial growth (like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cooked pasta, cooked rice, white/cheese sauces, pasta sauces). Ensure all food served (including finger food) have separate serving ladles or tongs. Point out washrooms to encourage handwashing and provide alcohol handrubs to encourage cleaning of hands before food consumption.
• • • • •
Ensure that sugar-based sauces are a side option and not mixed into meals. Reduce unhealthy fats and fried foods. Reduce salty foods. Serve meals that are high in fibre and/or protein with plenty of vegetarian options. The more colors (vegetables) on a plate and less golden browns (fried or baked goods), the better! Ensure adequate options for different dietary/religious restrictions.
Step 4: Be active Meetings often involve long periods of sitting. Mobility and fitness can be promoted in the following way: • • • •
Suggestions Meals: ♦♦ Lean meat, chicken, turkey, eggs and fish ♦♦ Pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas, etc.) ♦♦ Sauteed / roasted vegetables ♦♦ Wholegrain cereals (bread, rice, noodles) ♦♦ Fresh fruit and vegetable salads ♦♦ Sugar-free granolas or mueslis and yogurt with fresh fruit
Snacks: ♦♦ Raw vegetables and dip ♦♦ Fruit kebabs ♦♦ Kebabs of cheese, vegetables or lean meats ♦♦ Roasted vegetables on thinly sliced bread ♦♦ Roasted, unsalted nuts ♦♦ Crackers instead of cookies
Encourage use of stairs and walks between venues (including conference halls and eateries). Facilitate group exercise or walks during breaks, before or after meetings. Allow for ten-minute mobility breaks in addition to coffee breaks. Include active participation, such as games or ice-breakers that involve physical activity. Hand out gifts that encourage physical activity and set challenges. For example: give all attendees a pedometer and challenge them to walk 10 000 steps a day.
Drinks: ♦♦ Water ♦♦ Fruit juices free of added sugar ♦♦ Unsweetened tea and coffee