A diet filled with Middle Eastern food, similar to a Mediterranean diet, incorporates the flavorful foods of the countries around the Mediterranean Sea. This food is conducive with a health diet, as it keeps the body healthy by being heart healthy and staving off many chronic diseases.

Middle Eastern food emphasizes the use of fish, olive oil, whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. Vegetarian food is often enjoyed, as it is heart healthy and strong flavors can be showcased. Because cholesterol and saturated fat are only found in foods that are animal-based, Eating vegetarian or vegan food is very health-conscious. Heart-healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids in fish and olive oil are healthy sources of fats.

For example, Tabouleh is a superfood that incorporates healthy olive oil with a refreshing mix of bulgur wheat, fresh onions and tomatoes, mint, lemon, and salt. This is a perfect dish for corporate catering as it is a crowd pleaser that can easily go along with any entree meal.

Baba Ghanouj is also great for catering, as its light and fresh consistency pairs well with wood-fired pita bread. Baba Ghanouj is a fresh blend of baked eggplant, fresh garlic, tahini, and lemon. Eggplant is especially good for your health, as it is a great source of dietary fiber, copper, and vitamin B1. It also has manganese, niacin, vitamin B6, potassium, vitamin K, and folate. Its phytonutrients include nasunin and chlorogenic acid, which are vital to overall health.

Following a Middle Eastern diet is also beneficial to brain health, cognitive function, and overall mortality. Studies have shown a Middle Eastern diet has been able to have an effect on the prevention of Parkinson’s, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s in 1.5 million people. For lunch, you might enjoy an Aladdin Mediterranean Chicken Salad with homemade lemon and olive oil dressing, with a wood fired pita on the side. For dinner, try some falafels, which is a vegetarian delight, and a Koufta Kabob to add some additional protein to your day.

There are many varieties of food available to help you stay healthy while eating Middle Eastern food. The options are endless for your taste and the taste of others. If you are putting on a corporate catering event, impress your guests by including a healthy menu for them to enjoy that will keep them energized throughout the day. Encouraging your guests to eat healthy vegetarian and vegan foods is a great way to have them experience new flavors that they will want to go back for more.

Corporate catering menus do not always include the foods you would eat in a healthy diet. The biggest drivers of catered lunch choices are bulk pricing, easy transport and item popularity. Many companies do not consider the benefits of introducing employees to healthier menus through their catering efforts. Here are two options to consider when planning your next office meal or gathering.

Middle Eastern Food
Middle Eastern food is known for being one of the most healthy diets in the world. It also does not involve complex preparation, as some foods from other parts of the world do. Once you understand the Middle Eastern flavor palate, preparing some of the most popular dishes are as simple as mixing or layering ingredients.

Hummus, a well-known favorite, is a mixture of garbanzo beans or chickpeas with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. Once you break down the beans with a mixer, the remaining preparation is just a matter of blending the other ingredients. As an appetizer or small plate food, hummus can feed many people at one time, especially if warm pita points, crackers or toasted breads accompany it.

Meat eaters also have good choices. Skewered kebabs are a mixture of grilled vegetables like onions, peppers and tomatoes with lamb, chicken or a lamb-and-beef mixture.

Options for Vegans and Vegetarians
Even if the company meal must include more traditional American dishes to satisfy the widest variety of tastes, it is still possible to go with Middle Eastern dishes to satisfy eaters who do not consume meat. Many offerings from the Middle Eastern table are vegetarian.

Baba Ghanouj, which is sometimes confused with hummus, uses eggplant, tahini, garlic, lemon and parsley and tops all combined ingredients with olive oil. Fried falafel is a combination of garbanzo beans, parsley, garlic, onions and spices. Dolma, or grape leaves, are typically steamed and stuffed with rice, onions, tomatoes and parsley. A special lemon sauce is poured over the grape leaves.

Any of these choices is enough to satisfy those with vegan or vegetarian diets. Many companies provide salads, bread and cheese for vegetarians, and vegans, who do not eat any animal products, are left to sit and watch everyone else eat. Middle Eastern foods leave less room for the company event planner to exclude anyone in attendance.

The company luncheon or food gathering does not have to be as complicated as it seems. Many people are stuck for choices because they are trying to please everyone in the room. They do not know if they should cater to taste or good health. A Middle Eastern offering caters to both. It offers something tasty that is a little different from the usual fare and something healthy that does not require non-meat-eaters to sit on the sidelines.

Aladdin Mediterranean Restaurant offers a customized menu for that particular most important day of your life and holiday. We are flexible to work within a broad range of budgets, circumstances and flavor profiles to deliver the best quality up to our standard. We will often work with you to realize a creation of a perfect menu at the required price. Our meals are filled with generous portions and healthy food for all the guests.

We offer $25 off for first time catering orders of over $150. Ask us of some the fabulous holiday weddings we have provided and managed and let us also paint a perfect pic of your wedding in service, food, and mood. We are passionate about great service and atmosphere. Let us walk with you in catering the wedding of your dream.

The perfect choice for holiday and special occasions, we gladly cater
• Wedding anniversaries
• Birthday parties
• Christmas parties
• Leaving parties
• Hen parties
• Any other occasion that is worth celebrating

The atmosphere inside our restaurant complements your delicious, healthy food. We have carefully designed a creation of a unique Mediterranean feel that will allow you imagine you are on holiday while relaxing and enjoying your flavors.

Most dietary needs are also catered for at our restaurant, and we serve quality food for those who necessitate it. See our menu page for a list of wine special menus and foods we offer for all events including private events, holiday catering and event catering.