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I'm working for a new team today, and occasionally as a show of good will I like to bring in some donuts for the team to enjoy.

On my new team however, there is one person who is on a strict Keto diet for their diabetes - I do not want to exclude this person, but I would still like to bring something in that everyone can enjoy in the office.

What could I bring in that everyone in the office could enjoy?

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    Remember that just because one person can't eat donuts that doesn't mean you can't bring them in. Bringing in donuts AND a keto-friendly option should be perfectly acceptable.
    – DJClayworth
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 15:30
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    Isn't there also a good place on SE to get help with food & stuff?
    – OldPadawan
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 16:03
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    Too broad a question. There is almost nothing that someonne isn't allergic to, or dislikes, or that is forbidden on their diet either right now or permanently. Ask the people involved, not the Internet. And be prepared for the possibility that there is no way to delight everyone, and that's OK as long as you've made a reasonable attempt.
    – keshlam
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 18:04
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    @Job_September_2020 the coworker is on a keto diet, which means very few carbs at all, not just no sugar.
    – Esther
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 20:16
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    VTC - this essentially is a food/cooking question, not a Workplace question. You've already decided you want to show up with food on your first day - which is a great way to start your work relationship - you just want dietary options so everyone can enjoy.
    – TheDemonLord
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 21:05

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On my new team however, there is one person who is on a strict Keto diet for their diabetes - I do not want to exclude this person, but I would still like to bring something in that everyone can enjoy in the office.

The team member with the dietary restriction is going to be much better placed to answer what they would like then we are - so ask them. You don't have to get a one-size fits all (and it would likely be a fool's errand to try), you can get pastries for the team and get the keto-coworker something for them.

Hey Bob, I was planning on bringing some treats in for the team, my normal go-to is pastry but I guess that wouldn't work with your diet and I don't want you to feel left out. What I can I get you that you'd like?

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  • Even further— don't "guess" what would or wouldn't work. Presupposing that they can't participate in the same activity as everyone else is explicitly exclusive. I would suggest something like "I thought that mightn't work." And don't assume they want anything either. I'd ask "Is there anything I can get you?" not "What can I get you?" You don't know, they might be okay with having a pastry just once, or they might not be able to have anything at all (if for example they also have to limit when they eat).
    – OpenAI was the last straw
    Commented Apr 14, 2023 at 13:25
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Employee snacks can be a surprisingly contentious topic! It's hard to please everyone, and the more people there are, the more impossible this becomes, but in terms of keto, you have some fairly easy options:

Charcuterie boards. Often you can find these at grocery stores, ready made. Sometimes they have non-keto friendly items in them (jellies, crackers) but as someone who does keto I'd be happy to let my coworkers handle the crackers and jellies and I'll stick with the meats and cheeses.

More breakfasty: crustless quiche. Quiches are almost always keto-friendly, with the crust being the problem. Keto (or low carb dieting in general) is fairly popular these days so you can likely find some crustless quiche options around you.

There are plenty of other ideas out there for keto snacks (I also like pork rinds with a creamy brie dip, or whole milk greek yogurt and blackberries) but the charcuterie board seems like a best bet (if you have people doing keto and people on vegan diets then we'll have to call in some experts and make Venn diagrams.)

Be wary of fruits, veggies, and dips unless you want to spend time scrutinizing them. Half of doing keto is snacking on something, reading the label halfway through and going "Oh" because you thought it was low carb but actually was not.

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  • There's what seems to be a good alternative
    – OldPadawan
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 15:56
  • @OldPadawan Yeah, loads of options if they're willing to cook. But I'm thinking more "donut substitute" as in something that's simple to grab off a shelf, or order for pickup, and take into work.
    – JamieB
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 16:18
  • Yeah, but almost nothing will be a one-size-fits-all treat. So OP's best bet might 15mns of homework or a specialized shop IMO
    – OldPadawan
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 17:09
  • A cheese board is probably safer than charcuterie given some people don't eat pork and some people don't eat any meat. But if it's a mix of cheese and meats, that could work too.
    – Kate Gregory
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 19:00
  • @KateGregory and many people are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy...
    – Esther
    Commented Apr 4, 2023 at 20:17
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Something famous in your region if you are an immigrant, I would love something new and exciting to be offered as a treat. If not go with the second popular treat of the country you are residing in.

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Some mixed fruits? Apples, bananas, oranges, etc. Bagels? Might still be an issue for a diabetic. A "combo" of donuts, bagels, fruits?

There are many possibilities.

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