http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=food-for-thought Opinions. Commentary. News. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 13:14:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-33559 Harry Hallman Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:08:34 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/#comment-33559 Good points, all, Paul. I don't think that the habit of having sweets at a business meeting has anything to do about getting people to attend. I mean, in most cases, people either are ordered to attend or want to attend to solve a problem. What I do believe is the use of sweets and other "comfort foods" was based on the fact that is what the attendees wanted. Now we have a change in attitudes about food and we should accommodate those changes by having healthier snack choices. I whole hearty agree we should now offer healthier foods. Good points, all, Paul.
I don’t think that the habit of having sweets at a business meeting has anything to do about getting people to attend. I mean, in most cases, people either are ordered to attend or want to attend to solve a problem.
What I do believe is the use of sweets and other “comfort foods” was based on the fact that is what the attendees wanted. Now we have a change in attitudes about food and we should accommodate those changes by having healthier snack choices.
I whole hearty agree we should now offer healthier foods.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-33558 Paul Williams Sat, 23 Feb 2008 07:37:42 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/#comment-33558 I think the reason why we typically serve sweets and junk at brainstorming sessions is because it used to be the only way to get people to attend. Brainstorming used to be so painful, if I can't get a free lunch and hopped up on sugar... I'm not going. Donuts are always a nice treat... and the participants appreciate it. What you need to realize as a facilitator is that you're potentially snuffing out ideas with the sugars. Now... if you were planning a 45-power session and wanted to get as much as you could as quickly as possible... bring on the sweets. You're after that caffeine-sugar high. (But don't expect much from the lot after an hour or two). But certainly, if you're planning an all day session... what you eat can be as important as what you're solving. Thanks for all the great comments. I'm glad you're finding this piece helpful! I think the reason why we typically serve sweets and junk at brainstorming sessions is because it used to be the only way to get people to attend.
Brainstorming used to be so painful, if I can’t get a free lunch and hopped up on sugar… I’m not going.
Donuts are always a nice treat… and the participants appreciate it.
What you need to realize as a facilitator is that you’re potentially snuffing out ideas with the sugars.
Now… if you were planning a 45-power session and wanted to get as much as you could as quickly as possible… bring on the sweets. You’re after that caffeine-sugar high. (But don’t expect much from the lot after an hour or two).
But certainly, if you’re planning an all day session… what you eat can be as important as what you’re solving.
Thanks for all the great comments. I’m glad you’re finding this piece helpful!

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-33557 Dusan Vrban Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:20:39 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/#comment-33557 @Michael: there's nothing to comment when it's total truth. :-) Can't add anything. :-) @Elaine: people like donuts, coffee and sweet stuff more. If you want them on next meeting, you need to motivate them to come? I think these habbits were developed more because of that. @Michael: there’s nothing to comment when it’s total truth. Can’t add anything.
@Elaine: people like donuts, coffee and sweet stuff more. If you want them on next meeting, you need to motivate them to come?
I think these habbits were developed more because of that.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-33556 Elaine Fogel Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:11:45 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/#comment-33556 Excellent point, Paul. At a workshop I gave last week, the host organization put out donuts, coffee and water. Since I wasn't speaking to police officers, the donuts could only provide a quick sugar rush, leading to low blood sugar afterwards. Not ideal for keeping people alert and participatory. I wonder why more meeting planners aren't buying healthy snacks that are good for brainstorming and creativity. I suppose donuts and other treats are less expensive. Excellent point, Paul. At a workshop I gave last week, the host organization put out donuts, coffee and water. Since I wasn’t speaking to police officers, the donuts could only provide a quick sugar rush, leading to low blood sugar afterwards. Not ideal for keeping people alert and participatory.
I wonder why more meeting planners aren’t buying healthy snacks that are good for brainstorming and creativity. I suppose donuts and other treats are less expensive.

]]> http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-33555 Michael Lombardi Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:37:24 +0000 http://www.mpdailyfix.com/food-for-thought/#comment-33555 I can't believe no one has commented yet. This is a great article. Way too often people eat poorly (or skip meals) and wonder why they aren't in full form. Exercise and sleep are also vital to a properly functioning brain. I find an ounce of nuts and some oatmeal in the morning is a good start. The nuts have protein which takes longer to digest, so it keeps you fuller longer and the oatmeal is filling, but doesn't come with the crash of fruit loops or lucky charms. In an office setting people should be encouraged to eat healthy because it increases productivity and morale and it lowers health care costs. Does a bucket of fried chicken or a tray of deli meat cost that much less than some fruit, nuts, and whole grain breads? I can’t believe no one has commented yet. This is a great article. Way too often people eat poorly (or skip meals) and wonder why they aren’t in full form. Exercise and sleep are also vital to a properly functioning brain.
I find an ounce of nuts and some oatmeal in the morning is a good start. The nuts have protein which takes longer to digest, so it keeps you fuller longer and the oatmeal is filling, but doesn’t come with the crash of fruit loops or lucky charms.
In an office setting people should be encouraged to eat healthy because it increases productivity and morale and it lowers health care costs. Does a bucket of fried chicken or a tray of deli meat cost that much less than some fruit, nuts, and whole grain breads?

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