Cut waste and save time with smart office recipes
Facebook X LinkedIn Key Facts In the United Kingdom, only 17% of adults and 9% of 11–18-year-olds meet the 5-a-day fruit and veg recommendation on measured intake. 58% of UK adults say they use an air fryer, reflecting rapid adoption of quick, energy-savvy cooking. Increasing fruit and veg intake is associated with measurable gains in life satisfaction within 24 months. A large BMJ network meta-analysis reports that Mediterranean and low-fat dietary programmes probably reduce mortality and non-fatal heart attack in higher-risk adults. Academic reviews show freeze-drying preserves colour, flavour and many phenolic compounds compared with other drying methods, supporting office-friendly Recipe ideas. Why office food culture needs a refresh Across the United Kingdom, teams want snacks and lunches that are fast, nutritious and easy to portion. Yet Nationial Diet and and Nutrition (NDNS) data show most people fall short of 5-a-day, with teenagers particularly behind. Providing fruit-forward options at work is a practical way to shift daily intake toward public health targets while supporting energy and focus through the afternoon. What the evidence says about wellbeing and heart health Diet quality is not just about long-term disease risk. A longitudinal study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that people who increased fruit and veg consumption reported higher happiness and life satisfaction within two years, even after adjusting for income and personal circumstances. For workplaces, that means small, sustained changes to daily eating can benefit mood as well as productivity. For cardiometabolic risk, high-quality syntheses matter. A BMJ systematic review and network meta-analysis concluded that Mediterranean and low-fat dietary programmes probably reduce all-cause mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction, with absolute benefits most pronounced in higher-risk adults. Offering vegetables, legumes, wholegrains and olive-oil-based options at work helps align everyday meals with that evidence base. Why freeze-dried fruit works at work Fresh fruit is brilliant but perishable. Office bowls are notorious for midweek bruising and leftover waste. Freeze-drying removes water under vacuum, creating light, crisp fruit that keeps its structure and a high proportion of flavour and bioactive compounds. Reviews and comparative studies report strong retention of phenolics and antioxidant capacity relative to many hot-air methods, although some heat-sensitive vitamins can decline. Practically, this means vibrant toppings and mix-ins with long shelf life and minimal waste. Set up a rotating supply via Fruidel to keep cupboards stocked with strawberries, raspberries, mango and blueberries. A single 100 g pouch can stretch across multiple breakfasts and snacks, making it a cost-aware choice for facilities managers. For larger teams spread across the United Kingdom, Fruidel simplifies multi-site ordering and delivery. Five office-friendly recipe ideas 1) Air fryer granola clusters Time 8 to 10 minutes. Mix 80 g oats, one egg white, one tablespoon honey, a pinch of salt and 20 g crushed freeze-dried raspberries. Press into clusters, cook at 180°C until crisp and golden. Serve over yoghurt. Keep fruit supplies topped up via Fruidel. Why it helps: pairs wholegrains with polyphenol-rich berries for a balanced mid-morning bite. 2) Overnight oats, tiramisu style Stir 60 g oats, one tablespoon chia, 150 ml milk or yoghurt, one short espresso, one teaspoon cocoa and a handful of freeze-dried strawberries. Refrigerate overnight. Top with 5 g grated dark chocolate. Keep a desk drawer stash from Fruidel. Why it helps: fibre, protein and slow-release carbs for steady energy. 3) Mediterranean snack box Pack 100 g hummus, olives, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, wholegrain pitta and a pot of Greek yoghurt sprinkled with freeze-dried blueberries. Why it helps: reflects Mediterranean dietary patterns linked with lower mortality and heart attack risk in higher-risk adults. 4) High-protein yoghurt pot Swirl 170 g skyr with 15 g crushed freeze-dried mango and 15 g toasted nuts. Add a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil for silkiness. Why it helps: quick protein plus unsaturated fats and fruit polyphenols. 5) Desk-drawer trail mix Mix 20 g unsalted nuts, 10 g seeds, 20 g wholegrain cereal and 10 g freeze-dried apple. Portion into 30 g servings. Why it helps: controlled calories and crunch with no refrigeration required. Practical steps for facilities and HR teams Stock for speed. Place oats, yoghurt, nuts, seeds and freeze-dried fruit next to plates and bowls so staff can build a recipe in minutes. Provide a compact air fryer where policies allow. UK reporting shows 58% of adults now use one, so many colleagues already know the controls. Reduce waste. Pair weekly fresh fruit drops for meetings with a core of freeze-dried fruit for everyday topping and snacking. Shelf-stable packs cut the Thursday bin run and keep bowls looking abundant. Offer choice. Include dairy and plant-based yoghurts, gluten-free wholegrains and nut-free options. Publish a monthly recipe rota on the intranet so everyone knows what is available. Measure what matters. Track uptake, staff feedback and waste weights for a quarter. Aim for a modest increase in fruit and veg portions per person per day. If your baseline is low, even one extra portion daily across the team is a meaningful move toward NDNS targets. Home kitchens, restaurants and the workday A restaurant lunch is a treat, yet most weekday meals are assembled at home or work. Air fryers heat quickly and can be cheaper to run than a full-size oven for small portions, which suits solo or duo lunches prepared around meetings. Mainstream news outlets highlight both the convenience and the energy-saving potential, particularly when cooking modest amounts. Why Fruidel fits the brief Fruidel delivers fruit across the United Kingdom and can tailor fresh and freeze-dried mixes to headcount, storage and budget. That means fewer procurement headaches and more consistent availability of the ingredients that make these Recipe ideas work. Whether you need office-wide snack support or meeting platters with a fruit-first twist, Fruidel helps teams put good intentions into everyday action. Ready to bring some fruity goodness to your office? Explore the freeze-dried options available through Fruidel today! Ready to bring some fruity goodness to your office? Explore the freeze-dried options available through Fruidel today! Apply For A Free Quote In 60 Seconds Can
Interesting Fruity Fact – A tomato is a fruit
Fruidel’s Fruity Facts- Interesting Fruity Fact – A tomato is a fruit Posted March 26th, 2021 by Fruidel Team Interesting Fruity Fact – A tomato is a fruit The confusion arose after the 1890s when the US supreme court named them a vegetable for taxation purposesBotanically, Tomatoes Are Fruits Botanically, Tomatoes Are Fruits According to science, tomatoes are fruits. All fruits have a single seed or many seeds inside and grow from the flower of a plant (2). Like other true fruits, tomatoes form from small yellow flowers on the vine and naturally contain a multitude of seeds. These seeds can later be harvested and used to produce more tomato plants. Interestingly, some modern varieties of tomato plants have been intentionally cultivated to stop producing seeds. Even when this is the case, a tomato is still considered to be the fruit of the plant in botanical terms. They’re Often Classified as a Vegetable Much of the confusion about whether a tomato is a fruit or vegetable comes from the common culinary applications for tomatoes. Cooking is as much an art as it is a science, which tends to give way to more flexibility for how different foods are categorised. In cooking, tomatoes are usually used alone or paired alongside other true vegetables in savory dishes. As a result, they’ve earned a reputation as a vegetable, even though they’re technically a fruit by scientific standards. This was the method of classification used by the US Supreme Court in 1893 during a legal dispute with a tomato importer who argued his tomatoes should be considered fruits to avoid the higher vegetable tariff. It was during this case that the court ruled the tomato would be classified as a vegetable on the basis of its culinary applications instead of its botanical categorisation as a fruit. The rest is history. Click here for more interesting fruity facts Back to blog
Did you know? – fruity facts
Fruity Fact – Oranges were known as the fruits of the Gods Posted January 24th, 2020 by Fruidel Team 5 Interesting fruity fact you didn’t know Oranges were known as the fruits of the Gods. Strawberries can work as a cancer prevention. Bananas are great sources of energy producing nutrients. There are so many apple varieties that if you were to eat an apple a day, it would take you over 27 years to try them all. One small pear has no fat or cholesterol, and is a great source of vitamin C and fibre. Back to blog
Reasons Why Oranges Represent the Season of Giving
Reasons Why Oranges Represent the Season of Giving Posted November 21st, 2019 by Fruidel Team Saint Nicholas and the Three Bags of Gold The tradition of Christmas stockings themselves stem from a story of Saint Nicholas and so does the story of oranges in them. St. Nicholas, who was a rich bishop, born in the 4th century of present-day Turkey, once learned of a shopkeeper who was poor and unable to find husbands for his three daughters as they didn’t have money for dowries. The man worried what would become of his very beautiful daughters after he died. However, the man was very proud and would not accept money or charity from others. Yet, St. Nicholas still wished to help. He, therefore, decided to help in secret. One day he secretly tossed three bags of gold down the chimney while they slept. Each bag (or ball) of gold happened to land in each of the daughters’ stockings which fortuitously were hung by the fire to dry. The family awoke the next morning and found the gold and were, of course, overjoyed at the generosity they had received anonymously. The daughters were then able to pay their dowries and wed, ensuring their father peace knowing they would be taken care of after he was no longer around. This story led to people hanging stockings by their fireplaces, hoping that they too might be blessed with gifts from others. The “gold bags” or “gold balls” in the story of St. Nicholas are hard for us to replicate today, so instead, we use the citrus look-a-likes of oranges, tangerines, or clementines. The History – Oranges Were an Expensive Luxury Despite oranges becoming less expensive and more available by the late 19th century thanks to transportation and oranges being grown in southern Europe and the Mediterranean, and in California and Florida, they were very expensive and hard to come by for a long time. Oranges were often reserved for only the wealthy and the elite, something only the very rich could afford to eat during the year. When poor individuals saved up for an orange, it really was a special treat then to receive, especially on Christmas morning. Many times they ate their oranges in pottages and pies during the 12 Days of Christmas (which traditionally starts on Christmas Day) or made marmalades with them. Oranges Were a Treat During the Great Depression Like I explained a bit at the beginning of this post, the Great Depression of the 1930s created financial burdens for millions of families. People didn’t have the means to buy gifts for their children. Oranges were not usually consumed during the year either unless you lived in places they grew naturally as people turned to eating homegrown and homemade foods as it was cheaper than buying items from the market. It was considered a true luxury to find and buy something as “exotic” as an orange for Christmas. Oranges Represent the Season of Giving As we learned in the story of St. Nicholas and poor shopkeeper with three daughters, the gifts the man received were ones given in generosity, without thought about receiving a gift in return. Thus, giving of oranges (balls of gold) in Christmas stockings is a symbol of charity and giving. Oranges in stockings serve as a reminder to care for others who are in need and less fortunate than you. Also, because the orange separates easily into segments, it is an ideal and easy fruit to share with others. Tradition Lastly, receiving oranges in stockings has become a tradition. It’s something millions of people have done over centuries in various countries, of various incomes. It’s one of those things people just do because it’s always been done, like having a Christmas tree or hanging up Christmas stockings or displaying a nativity set each year. And that is why in large part I believe this orange in Christmas stocking tradition should continue. It has a positive history and tradition, one of charity and poverty. I will teach my children about why Christmas oranges are part of their stockings because it helps them reflect on how blessed they are to live in such affluence today. Back to blog
Top 5 Winter Fruits to Eat this Festive Season
Top 5 Winter Fruits to Eat this Festive Season | Office Fruit Delivery Posted November 15th, 2019 by Fruidel Team 1. Clementine A clementine looks a lot like an orange. That is because it is in a way. It is actually a mixture between a mandarin orange and a sweet orange. So if you are needing a solid dose of vitamin C over the winter months, then this might be a good choice. They naturally produce over the winter months in warmer climates like Florida. Which means, if you live in Florida you can grow them yourself. But if you live in colder parts of the world during the winter months, then at least take comfort in knowing that they are most likely being shipped in from areas that they are growing in their natural forms. 2. Dates Date plums are small like a plum but are yellow in colour. They have no cholesterol but a ton of fiber. This fruit also packs a ton of Vitamin A and C. So this would be a great choice during the winter months. Winter and early spring is the peak of flu season so anything you can eat to boost your immune system is a huge bonus. Dates are a tiny fruit with a bunch of benefits. It is a fruit that is high in many vitamins and minerals. They contain a lot of calcium and iron which is great for those that are facing anemia or have brittle bones. But perhaps, dates are best known for their fiber content. Often, dates are made into a paste and mixed with other food items like yogurt, bread, or butter. This is so people can be relieved of disorders such as constipation in a tasty way. 3. Grapefruit Grapefruit is another fruit that often produces in warmer climates over the winter months. This fruit is great as a juice or eaten by itself. I personally love to add a little sweetener or honey to it and eat the inner part of the fruit. But regardless of how you like to enjoy your grapefruit, you should know that it is high in Vitamin C and is very good to help your immune system make it through the cold months where it seems colds and the flu are always flying around the air. 4. Kiwi Fruit The kiwi fruit is a delicious yet, funny fruit. The reason I say it is funny is that it has this fuzzy outer shell that it must be peeled out of. Then you can enjoy the soft, green fleshy inside that goes great in a lot of citrus winter salads. Kiwi is known for its high levels of vitamin C and for its antioxidant powers. Back to blog
Fruity Fact – A strawberry isn’t technically a berry, or even a fruit
Fruity Fact – A strawberry isn’t technically a berry, or even a fruit Posted November 10th, 2019 by Fruidel Team Sorry, I know it hurts, but it’s (botanically) true. Berries, by definition, have their seeds on the inside, which strawberries clearly don’t. The plant produces a fleshy “false fruit” aka pseudocarp from its flower, and what we think of as the seeds on the outside are the “true” fruits. Bottom line: Whatever, they’re delicious. 1. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen each spring – This year a Welsh fruit grower has broken the record for picking the earliest ever British strawberries grown in glasshouses. They went on sale in supermarkets on the 26 February. 2. Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside The average berry is adorned with some 200 of them. No wonder it only takes one bite to get seeds stuck in your teeth. 3. Despite their name, strawberries aren’t technically berries – they’re accessory fruits – While we’re getting technical—berries should have seeds inside. Strawberries are really in a group of their own since they don’t come from a single ovary. 4. The seeds can grow into new strawberry plants, but most instead reproduce through runners 5. Strawberries are members of the rose family – Should you come upon a bush of them growing, you’ll see: they smell as sweet as they taste. 6. The ancient Romans thought strawberries had medicinal powers – They used them to treat everything from depression to fainting to fever, kidney stones, bad breath and sore throats. 7. Stop and smell the strawberries! Considered members of the rose family, they give off a sweet fragrance as they grow on bushes. 8. Considered a perennial, strawberry plants will grow back year after year – Although they don’t always grow fruit immediately, once they do, the plants can last up to 5 years. 9. To store fresh strawberries, wash them and cut the stem away – However, if you plan to keep them in the fridge for a few days, wait until before you eat them to clean them. Rinsing them speeds up spoiling. 10. Strawberries can also be pickled – Especially when picked green or unripe. If your berries are overripe, make jam! Nutritional Benefits of the Strawberry The heart-shaped silhouette of the strawberry is the first clue that this fruit is good for you. The strawberry has become one of the national fruits of choice with sales peaking during Wimbledon where everyone enjoys the classic strawberries and cream. Not just a delicious fruit.. strawberries are packed with vitamins, fibre, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols, strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie food. They are among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity and are a good source of manganese and potassium. Just one serving – about eight strawberries – provides more vitamin C than an orange. Click here for more interesting fruity facts Back to blog
Healthy Snacks in the workplace – the benefits
Posted October 24th, 2019 by Fruidel Team Why do we snack more at work? Anyone who has spent time working in an office has seen how quickly a box of doughnuts gets demolished. But it’s not just genuinely tasty snacks that get gobbled up. Those three cinnamon raisin bagel quarters left over after the board meeting? Gone in seconds. Picked over Halloween candy someone’s kid didn’t want? Eaten in record time. Free food Global recession has impacted companies massively which has meant cut backs in wellbeing, company perks and pay reviews across all sectors. So when your manager brings in cake or pizza you jump at the chance of a freebie as a reward for hard work and dedication. Beware the office feeder Every office has them: the colleague who brings in the donuts, the other who brings in homemade banana bread loaded with fat, calories, sugar. The stress reliever Another factor might be stress, eating comfort foods seems to reduce stress and anxiety in a number of people. Choose Healthy snacks on the go Encourage your employees to make healthier snacking choices and avoid those harmful refined sugars by offering a free healthy snack box. Healthy Snack Box delivers healthy office snacks – providing convenient access to millions of healthy snacks per year, delivered right to your doorstep. Made with nutritious, whole ingredients, whilst ensuring taste is top priority, SnackBox will keep your team fuelled with on-the-go snacks that help increase productivity and make them feel cared for. Arrange for a Healthy Snack Box to be delivery to your workplace, click here to place an order. Back to blog
Helping to save the planet | Eco-friendly Solutions
Helping to save the planet | Eco-friendly Solutions | Ulta low emission Posted September 12th, 2019 by Fruidel Team London’s ultra-low emission zone – What is it? It comes into force on 8 April 2019, and will initially cover the existing congestion charge zone in central London, but will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From 25 October 2021, it will expand to an area bounded by the north and south circular roads. Clean air zone charges in Cities throughout the UK Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle & Manchester latest to announce clean air zone charges: see a map of low emission zones & how much you’ll pay. Most diesel drivers will have to pay £12.50 to drive into the centre of London from this April, and similar charges will creep across the country as other regions line up to launch clean air zones in city centres. The latest diesel cars are the cleanest ever – with emissions that are little different to petrol vehicles. That’s partly because many use AdBlue: an additive that’s mixed with exhaust gases to convert toxic emissions into harmless substances. Fruidel’s Corporate Social Responsibility Fruidel’s Environmental CSR Policy aims to reduce any damaging effects on the environment from business’ processes. Some of these activities include waste management, recycling, reduced energy usage with focus on many pioneering eco-friendly solutions to reduce the businesses carbon footprint. Fruidel Vans are fitted with AdBlue technology – helping to produce ultra low emissions We use AdBlue which is fed into the exhaust of all our vans, reacting with the nitrogen oxide gas produced by the combustion process, breaking it down into harmless nitrogen and oxygen. We are aware that emission levels in cities throughout the UK are at dangerous levels in certain areas. We are doing everything possible to keep green and lower C02 emissions. Back to blog
Fruity Friday – Office Fruit Delivery
Fruity Friday – Office Fruit Delivery | Reducing your carbon footprint Posted September 6th, 2019 by Fruidel Team How we order fruit and milk could help reduce our carbon footprint With Brexit dominating political agenda and mainstream media there is little space for discussion on issues such as the growing rise in knife crime and climate change. But with political activism on the rise inspired by environmental activists such as BBC’s David Peterborough and documentaries highlighting the human impact on the planet with ‘single use plastics’ being the hot topic. It’s only a matter of time that things like this will have to be tackled. As the Famous folk artist body Dylan once said ‘Times are a charging’ and we as the human race will be faced with the harsh reality that if we don’t take some action now, that one day it may be too late. Reducing your carbon footprint – could we do more? Ordering milk in cartons, cycling to work, re-using plastic bottles are small but effect ways us as consumers can help. Fruidel re-use wooded wicker baskets packed full of fruit – once the office has finished with the weekly fruit harvest a driver will pick up, swap then replenish the basket – recycled 1000s of times. And most importantly not using single use plastics. Office fruit delivery in wooden wicker baskets Great for the environment and a valuable perk for the office improving productivity and promoting healthy eating. Get your five-a-day with Fruidel – to find out more see our fruit basket options. Back to blog
Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away?
Does An Apple A Day Keep The Doctor Away? | Fruidel Posted July 16th, 2019 by Fruidel Team It’s one of the most recognisable expressions around: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But could the common apple honestly help a person to maintain perfect health? The first printed mention of this saying can be found in the February 1866 issue of the publication “Notes and Queries.” The publication printed the proverb like this: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Nearly 150 years later, variations of this adage are still quoted. It’s unlikely that the saying would have maintained such popularity if there wasn’t some truth to it, right? Here are a few of the apple’s health benefits Pectin — Pectin is a form of soluble fiber than lowers both blood pressure and glucose levels. It can also lower the levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in the body. Pectin, like other forms of fiber, helps maintain the health of the digestive system. Apples are an excellent source of pectin. Boron — A nutrient found in abundance in apples, boron supports strong bones and a healthy brain. Quercetin — A flavonoid, this nutrient shows promise for reducing the risk of various cancers, including cancers in the lungs and breast. It may also reduce free radical damage. Free radicals develop when atoms in the body’s cells have unpaired electrons, which can lead to damage to different parts of the cell, including DNA. Quercetin may neutralize free radical damage, which has been implicated in a variety of age-related health problems, including Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin C — Vitamin C boosts immunity, which helps maintain overall health. Phytonutrients — Apples are rich in a variety of phytonutrients, including vitamins A and E and beta carotene. These compounds fight damage from free radicals and can have a profound affect on health, including reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes and asthma. The benefits of eating apples An apple a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and many types of cancer. But would you be able to avoid the doctor entirely just by eating a bunch of the forbidden fruit? Not likely. Various studies show health benefits when participants eat an apple between three and five times a week, but all ailments cannot be cured by diet alone. Are other fruits just as healthy When choosing drinks, apple juice barely makes the top 10. Pomegranate juice, wine and purple grape juice are high in antioxidants, with apple juice in the tenth spot, right behind tea. One of the things that makes apples so incredibly healthy is the amount of fiber they contain, but that’s lost during juicing. So does a daily apple succeed in keeping the doctor away? While an apple a day will go a long way toward keeping the doctor away, most nutritionists recommend a varied diet. In addition to apples, fill your shopping cart with citrus fruits, tropical treats like mangos, and a variety of berries, which pack a nutritional punch. Eating several servings of a varied selection of fruits each day is truly the best way to keep the doctor away. Back to blog