make a presentation on healthy food

36 Free Food PowerPoint Templates For Delicious Presentations

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By Al Boicheva

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Today is a day for something tasty. Here we have 36 free food PowerPoint templates that cover multiple topics such as restaurants, vineyards, coffee shops, recipes, cooking, diets, nutrition, and everything food-related. We looked everywhere to find and select the best ones and as usual, there is something for everyone and their upcoming projects.

Now let’s gather some delicious ingredients for your upcoming presentation! 🍕🍕🍕

36 Free Food PowerPoint Templates: Overview

• Restaurants and Coffee Shops 
• Food Presentation 
• Cooking Presentation 
• Diet and Nutrition Presentation 
• Food Campaigns

Just as a recipe has no soul and you, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe, even the best presentation templates will fail to capture the audience without your creativity. 🍒

Restaurants and Coffee Shops PowerPoint Templates

We’ll start with 9 free presentations dedicated to restaurant businesses, pizza places, bakery shops, coffee shops, and vineyards. The templates include image placeholders, editable content, infographics, and marketing analysis slides.

1. Food Taste: Rich Free PowerPoint Template Food Service Portfolio

This is a beautiful free presentation of 27 high-quality slides by Indonesian freelancers. It’s a multipurpose presentation, however, it would fit a restaurant portfolio best. Amongst the slides, you will find About Us, Our Service, Our Portfolio, Work Slides, and Mockups. You can download this template from the Behance page that will redirect you to a Google Drive folder containing the PPT files.

2. Mexican Restaurant: Free PPT Template for Company Profile

If you own a Mexican restaurant, this PowerPoint template is perfect to boost your presentation. It has a lovely eye-catching design and 25 different slides that include a table of contents, About Us, History with timeline infographic, company philosophy, location, services, and many more. The slides even include a collection of thematic Mexican icons.

3. Luxurious Vineyard: Free PPT Template for Company Profile

Specially made for vineyards, this free PPT presentation has a very classy thematic design allowing you to share your values, philosophy, the location of your vineyards, and testimonials of loyal clients. The template is rich in infographics and has a very beautiful wine glass stain pattern decorating each slide. It also contains easy-to-edit graphics.

4. Restaurant: Free PowerPoint Template for Restaurant Presentation

This free PPT template for restaurants has 9 brochure design slides with image placeholders. The file doesn’t include the stock images from the preview.

5. Bakery Shop: Free Pitch Deck PPT Template

Bakery Shop is a free template for PowerPoint and Google Slides with a warm-colored design, decorated with soft shapes and flat illustrations. It has a pitch deck structure and humanistic sans serif font.  The presentation includes 30 editable slides and 500+ icons.

• Slides : 30

6. Pizza Restaurant: Full Free Marketing PPT Template

Big and delicious, this free pizza restaurant PowerPoint template includes tasty images, lots of editable thematic infographics, and 48 different slides that cover everything. The template has a color theme and will automatically apply color when copied and pasted. Includes 135 editable icons.

• Slides : 48

7. Brown Stylish: Free Elegant Stylish Food PowerPoint Presentation

Rich and elegant free multipurpose PowerPoint and Google slides template with a calm color palette and delicate typography. It suits presentations about food, cooking, fashion, hotels, travel, cosmetics, and more.

• Slides : 25

8. Coffee Vibes: Free Coffe Shop PPT Template

Beautiful morning vibes that smell like coffee. Here we have a fresh abstract design free PowerPoint template for coffee shops, cafeterias, and breweries. The file includes multiple editable infographics, diagrams, and charts.

• Slides : 31

9. Coffee: Free Barista PowerPoint Presentation

Another rich with infographics and themes free presentation template for coffee businesses and coffee lovers. The design sports a lovely coffee color palette and patterned backgrounds that are also included in the file. Includes image placeholders.

Food PowerPoint Presentation Templates

Proceeding with the next main topic, below are 10 diverse free PowerPoint templates dedicated to food presentations, healthy eating, product presentation, the art of coffee, and thematic cuisine.

10. Modern Food: Free Contemporary Cuisine Presentation

Clean and modern free template for your food presentation in PowerPoint and Google Slides. The modern theme has a dark pink color accent and delicious food and cooking photos. You’ll find 25 editable slides, free infographics, and 80 icons, all customizable

11. Real Food: Free Healthy Food PowerPoint Presentation

Creative free template for multiple purposes like sharing recipes, and talk about healthy eating and nutrition. It has 25 PowerPoint slides with watercolor illustrations of food ingredients, free resources for data visualization, and specific slides for marketing and business plans.

12. Chart Palette: Free Food PowerPoint Presentation Template

This is a free chart template for PowerPoint and Google Slides with a lovely photographic design of vegetables, flowers, plants, and color charts.

13. Barista: Free Coffe Art PowerPoint Template

A sophisticated free PPT template for coffee lovers to author any presentation related to the art of coffee. Including standard and widescreen slide options, the template offers 6 slides with text and image placeholders, backgrounds, and a custom built-in color palette.

14. Fresh Food: Free Minimalistic PPT Template

A more simplistic multipurpose free PowerPoint template for widescreen presentations.

• Slides : 11

15. Special Burger: Free Burger Presentation Presentation

If you’re planning to present a new delicious item in your restaurant’s arsenal, this free presentation template was designed with that exact concept in mind. It includes infographics, such as price tables and mockups. Although the template shows a burger, you can easily replace the images and adapt it to your item of choice.

• Slides : 13

16. Fast Food: Free Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

Modern free PPT template for food presentation where you can add the point branch offices, the steps you use to prepare a plate of food, and info about yourself. The template includes images from Freepik that you can easily replace.

17. Pumpkin Design: Free Simple Multipurpose PowerPoint Slides

Sometimes, less is more. In case you don’t need a big presentation of 20 slides and wish just to list a few things, here’s a simple classic 4-slides pumpkin design template. It’s especially suitable for Pumpkin Day and Thanksgiving.

18. Free Korean Food PowerPoint Presentation

The main concept of this free presentation template is bibimbap, a traditional Korean food. This is good to explain the healthy food culture of Korean food with 48 rich infographic slides with thematic Korean photos and illustrations.

19. Free Local Food PPT Presentation Template

This free template is great for presentations on food, such as fresh organic ingredients and healthy local food. It includes 48 slides with lots of editable charts, diagrams, and tables, and 135 fully customizable icons. Includes image placeholders.

Cooking PowerPoint Templates

Here we have 4 very diverse designs, free presentations for businesses, chefs, recipes, and organic food.

20. Ellen: Free Chef PowerPoint Template

The master chef free template for any restaurant or chef who is looking to highlight their work. It has 25 customizable PowerPoint slides with food cooking graphics throughout the presentation.

21. Cooking: Free Multipurpose Cooking PowerPoint Template

A very simplistic multipurpose free food PPT template that you can use for any design related to cooking, sharing recipes, or business ideas.

22. Granny’s Recipe Book: Free Recipe PPT Template

Nobody cooks better than grandma and you can prove it in a presentation. This vintage vibe, free template offers the hand-drawn elements and recipe scrapbook style you need.

• Slides : 33

23. Free Organic Food Pitch Deck PPT Template

Pitch deck style free template for healthy eating and organic food presentation, with marketing analysis slides. It’s especially suitable for organic food restaurants and companies.

Diet and Nutrition PowerPoint Presentation

7 Free templates for multipurpose nutrition and diet presentations, healthy eating, fitness, and delicious freshly baked bread.

24. Mediterranean Diet: Free Nutrition PowerPoint Presentation

May is International Mediterranean Diet Month which celebrates the cuisine with is a plant-based food plan full of low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids delicious food. In this free PowerPoint template, you will find 12 awesome customizable slides with graphics and mockups.

• Slides : 12

25. Nutrition: Free Healthy Food PPT Presentation

To teach how to have a healthy life through eating fruits, vegetables, and proteins, this free template will do the trick. It has a fresh color scheme and customizable slides that you can adapt to any nutritional or food safety content.

26. Free Diet Plan Nutritionist PowerPoint Template

For dieticians and companies, or educators who wish to present their take on weight loss, detox, and healthy eating, this free template with modern design has 48 slides rich with themes, graphs, charts, and other infographics.

27. Free Freshly Baked Bread PowerPoint Template

If you have a bakery that wants everyone to know about your delicious freshly baked bread and related treats, you have 48 free slides to go wild. It also includes 135 different icons and editable data-driven charts.

28. Venu – Free Nutrition & Health PPT Presentation

By itself, this free PowerPoint template can give you ideas on how to structure your presentation on healthy eating and nutrition. It features infographics, highlighted data, quotes, and other customizable elements. In addition, you will also find awesome flat-style colorful icons of food ingredients.

• Slides : 21

29. Free Organic Food PowerPoint Presentation

A customizable free PPT template with 48 slides for presentations related to healthy food ingredients.

30. Free Fresh Green Broccoli PPT Template

This free powerpoint template is a design of a delicious fresh food concept with various shapes related to food.

• Slides : 60

PowerPoint Templates for Food Campaigns

And last, we gathered 6 free food campaign templates that are ideal for promotion and marketing presentations.

31. Fruits: Free Marketing Campaign PPT Template

Free marketing presentation template with sweet fruity patterns and vector-based illustrations.

32. Food Day Campaign Free PPT Template

Food day campaign free marketing .ppt template with watercolor illustrations and infographics.

• Slides : 27

33. Free World Cocktail Day PPT Presentation

Editable free template with 32 slides and infographics dedicated to the art of cocktail making. It’s designed for PPT and Google Slides.

• Slides : 32

34. Free Festival PowerPoint Presentation

Spargelzeit is a celebration in Germany during spring that honors asparagus and menus are prepared with them as the main ingredient.

35. International Hummus Day Free PPT Template

Hummus-inspired presentation design with photos of hummus dishes and tablecloth background.

• Slides : 34

36. Free Multipurpose Pizza PowerPoint Template

And last, something fun: a free PowerPoint template that teaches fractions with pizza slices.

• Slides : 24

Final Words

Alright, we did it and we feel kinda stuffed with all these delicious free food templates we managed to find. Now you have the ingredients, all it takes is the chef’s kiss of your creativity to deliver an amazing presentation.

In the meantime, if you’re up to some more hunting, why not check other free PowerPoint resources.

• 120+ Free Food Illustrations for Personal and Commercial Garnishing

100+ Free Food Vector Graphics and Characters for Tasty Projects

• Modern Restaurant Menu Designs that Boost the Appetite

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Al Boicheva

Al is an illustrator at GraphicMama with out-of-the-box thinking and a passion for anything creative. In her free time, you will see her drooling over tattoo art, Manga, and horror movies.

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10 Creative Food Presentation Templates

Food is always on our mind… but this time you also need to make a food themed presentation!

And believe me, food presentation is a real science on its own.

Luckily these tasty presentation templates will help you out for making a digital food presentation. We’ve collected some of our best and most creative food, diet, eating, cooking, health and nutrition themed presentations into one gallery, so you’ll have a nice selection on the menu.

Most of these templates are designed for the Prezi presentation software, but some also include a PowerPoint PPT version – be sure to check before you purchase.

The good thing about Prezis is, that your presentation will be remembered – make a zooming effect and build your presentation on a large visual canvas, something that’s much more engaging compared to PowerPoint slides.

So let’s get started and find something to eat… I mean to present!

1. Food Menu Presentation Template

This time you’re the chef and your job is to cook an amazing presentation! Prezi presentation template with a restaurant background and a man holding a menu. Highly customizable template, change the color and size of the menu and topic squares. A universal template for making a presentation about a bar, cafe, healthy menu or diet and eating out at a fancy restaurant. Zoom in and add text, images, videos and create your own custom menu layout. Bon Appétit and don’t forget to tip the waiter!

2. Food Clock Presentation Template

A Creative Prezi Template for presenting about food, diet, health, eating, nutritions. A Plate and various fruits and vegetables as a clock or time symbol. Create a Prezi about weight loss or staying healthy and fit. Talk about sports, fitness and what are the best foods on certain time of the time. Rearrange the layout and add your own images. Images included: orange, kiwi,watermelon, tomato, strawberry, carrot, broccoli, apple. Present about healthy eating or cooking a balanced meal, restaurant, healthy meals, cooking a lunch, dieting, fresh foods.

3. Calorie Bomb Presentation Template

Stimulate the creative senses of your audience with a colorful and healthy presentation. A Prezi template with a vegetable and fruit sphere shape on a water splash background. Make your own healthy calorie bomb – zoom into fruit and vegetables and present your content. Make a presentation about diet, health, nutrition or cooking the right green and delicious meals. Colorful slide backgrounds with the fruits and vegetables staying in place while zooming in.

4. Health and Diet Presentation Template

When was the last time you thought about your health?A creative Prezi Next presentation template for talking about health, diet or sports. A sliced orange on a wood surface with a classic clock face inside it. A great concept to illustrate that people should take more time and think about their health. Present about living a healthy lifestyle with a moderate food diet and enough physical exercise. The template features an orange clock on a wood stage background with orange topic covers around the orange. The overview slide also includes a text placeholders for your presentation title and subtitle.

5. Healthy Drink Presentation Template

Prezi Template for a health, diet or exercise related presentation. A glass cup with a smoothie/juice on a kitchen table background. Zoom into the rectangles and present your own content on a colorful background. Easily customize the rectangles by changing the color, size and layout. Present about staying healthy, eating the right foods, or creating an exercise plan.

6. Love of Food Presentation Template

Prezi Template related with food. Various red food icons forming a big heart shape that symbolizes the love for food. Zoom anywhere and add the content you need. All icons are separated elements, move them around and create a unique layout or change the background. Talk about dieting, eating, recipes, cooking, staying healthy, catering, fresh food ideas, fitness, healthy snacks

7. Vitamin Presentation Template

Prezi Template with a medical/healthcare theme. Colorful vitamins/drugs flying out of capsules. Talk about staying healthy, eating vitamins, pills or food supplements. Present about the most important vitamins and which foods contain them. Create a presentation for a drugstore, pharmacy or a medical company, hospital. Create a healthcare presentation, present about prescription drugs, medical treatment. A good template for educating people about foods, vitamins and food preservatives.

8. Kitchen Presentation Template

Present your story in a kitchen themed Prezi template. All elements are 100% zoomable. Objects in the template: oven, water tap, fridge, dishwasher, bottles, microwave, cooking tools, towel, flowers, plates, glasses, a pot, stove, cutting board and a teapot. Objects are not movable or editable separately Present about cooking, eating, recipe, diet, making a meal, lunch, restaurants, food critics.

9. Diet Plan Presentation Template

Prezi Template, fun content about healthy food, diet plan topic designed with black wooden table background and a plate covered with fruit sectors. White plate is surrounded with silverware and on top is a transparent image of fruit sectors, such as strawberry, orange, kiwi and apple. In this template high resolution images are being used. Semi-transparent colourful circles is used as a background for texts, to increase readability. They are Prezi shapes and can be modified (rearranged, colour change).

10. Brain Food Presentation Template

Create a unique keyword-based presentation with this prezi template. Mixed pieces of white paper on a white food plate. Replace the examples with your own keywords, change fonts and text colors. Template also includes a hand with spoon which can be used to animate in final 2 keywords. Use the milk glass to surprise the audience with a hidden message. Make a creative marketing presentation, or really talk about cooking, eating, diet, vitamins, or health. Suitable for a good presenter who does not need to show text on slides.

So what’s the recipe for your food themed presentation?

Are you going to present about the cooking of food or the fun part, eating it?

Whatever the topic, I hope you found some great ideas and inspiration, even if you didn’t choose a Prezi Template from this list.

Make Your Presentations Unforgettable .

Download our 25 most creative presentation templates that will Wow your audience every time.

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Healthy Eating Plate

Use healthy oils (like olive and canola oil) for cooking, on salad, and at the table. Limit butter. Avoid trans fat.

Drink water , tea , or coffee (with little or no sugar). Limit milk / dairy (1-2 servings/day) and juice (1 small glass/day). Avoid sugary drinks .

The more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better. Potatoes and French fries don’t count.

Eat plenty of fruits of all colors

Choose fish , poultry, beans , and nuts ; limit red meat and cheese ; avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats .

Eat a variety of whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice ). Limit refined grains (like white rice and white bread).

Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine.

Looking for a printable copy? Download one here , and hang it on your refrigerator to serve as a daily reminder when planning and preparing your meals! Translations of the Healthy Eating Plate are also available in over 25 languages.

Building a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Make most of your meal vegetables and fruits – ½ of your plate. Aim for color and variety, and remember that potatoes don’t count as vegetables on the Healthy Eating Plate because of their negative impact on blood sugar.

Go for whole grains – ¼ of your plate. Whole and intact grains—whole wheat, barley, wheat berries, quinoa , oats , brown rice , and foods made with them, such as whole wheat pasta—have a milder effect on blood sugar and insulin than white bread, white rice, and other refined grains.

Protein power – ¼ of your plate. Fish, poultry, beans , and nuts are all healthy, versatile protein sources—they can be mixed into salads, and pair well with vegetables on a plate. Limit red meat, and avoid processed meats such as bacon and sausage.

Healthy plant oils – in moderation. Choose healthy vegetable oils like olive, canola, soy, corn, sunflower, peanut, and others, and avoid partially hydrogenated oils, which contain unhealthy trans fats. Remember that low-fat does not mean “healthy.”

Drink water, coffee, or tea . Skip sugary drinks , limit milk and dairy products to one to two servings per day, and limit juice to a small glass per day.

Stay active . The red figure running across the Healthy Eating Plate’s placemat is a reminder that staying active is also important in weight control .

The main message of the Healthy Eating Plate is to focus on diet quality:

• The type of carbohydrate in the diet is more important than the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, because some sources of carbohydrate—like vegetables (other than potatoes), fruits, whole grains, and beans—are healthier than others.
• The Healthy Eating Plate also advises consumers to avoid sugary beverages , a major source of calories—usually with little nutritional value—in the American diet.
• The Healthy Eating Plate encourages consumers to use healthy oils , and it does not set a maximum on the percentage of calories people should get each day from healthy sources of fat. In this way, the Healthy Eating Plate recommends the opposite of the low-fat message promoted for decades by the USDA.

Your Plate and the Planet

Your questions answered.

The Healthy Eating Plate does not define a certain number of calories or servings per day from each food group. The relative section sizes suggest approximate relative proportions of each of the food groups to include on a healthy plate. They are not based on specific calorie amounts, and they are not meant to prescribe a certain number of calories or servings per day, since individuals’ calorie and nutrient needs vary based on age, gender, body size, and level of activity.

As the name suggests, the Healthy Eating Plate is visualized as a single plate, however it can be used as a guide for creating healthy, balanced meals—no matter which type of dishware is used!

• For example, while you wouldn’t consume soup on a plate—you can consider the relative sizes of each section when choosing what to add to the pot before serving in a bowl: make about half of your ingredients a variety of colorful vegetables (carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, sautéed in olive oil), and the other half a mix of whole grains (such as farro) and a healthy protein (such as beans).
• Or maybe you’re eating your meal in courses, or as multiple dishes in smaller sizes: a plate of grilled fish over brown rice; a green side salad filled with veggies; and some fruit for a sweet end to the meal.
• Portioning a meal into separate components is also common when packing a lunchbox—especially for kids .

There are many cultures around the world in which people may not eat their meals from a plate. Although our translations of this guide maintain the single-plate graphic, we encourage its use for creating healthy, balanced meals in context of cultural and individual customs and preferences.

For some people, moderate alcohol consumption can offer health benefits, whereas for others alcohol may pose risks. Learn more about the  risks and benefits of alcohol .

The Healthy Eating Plate, created by nutrition experts at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and editors at Harvard Health Publications, was designed to address deficiencies in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s MyPlate. The Healthy Eating Plate provides detailed guidance, in a simple format, to help people make the best eating choices.

The Healthy Eating Plate is based exclusively on the best available science and was not subjected to political or commercial pressures from food industry lobbyists. Learn more about how the Healthy Eating Plate compares to the USDA’s MyPlate .

Generations of Americans are accustomed to the food pyramid design, and it’s not going away. In fact, the Healthy Eating Pyramid and the Healthy Eating Plate complement each other. See how you can use the Healthy Eating Pyramid as a guide for your grocery shopping list .

According to research done at Harvard Chan School of Public Health and elsewhere [1-3], following the guidelines presented through the Healthy Eating Pyramid and Healthy Eating Plate can lead to a lower risk of heart disease and premature death:

• In the 1990s, the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion created the Healthy Eating Index “to measure how well American diets conform to recommended healthy eating patterns.” [4] A score of 100 meant following the federal recommendations to the letter while a score of 0 meant totally ignoring them.
• The eleven components assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index were dairy products; vegetables; fruit; nuts & seeds; bread/grains; meat, poultry & fish; cholesterol; fat; sodium; alcohol; and multivitamins.
• Men who scored highest on the USDA’s original Healthy Eating Index (meaning their diets most closely followed federal recommendations) reduced their overall risk of developing heart disease, cancer, or other chronic disease by 11% over 8 to 12 years of follow-up compared to those who scored lowest. Women who most closely followed the government’s recommendations were only 3% less likely to have developed a chronic disease. [5]
• In comparison, scores on the Alternate Healthy Eating Index did appear to correlate more closely with better health in both sexes. Men with high scores (those whose diets most closely followed the Healthy Eating Pyramid guidelines) were 20% less likely to have developed a major chronic disease than those with low scores. Women with high scores lowered their overall risk by 11%. Men whose diets most closely followed the Healthy Eating Pyramid lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease by almost 40%; women with high scores lowered their risk by almost 30%.
• In a 2014 study looking at trends in diet quality among adults in the U.S., researchers using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index found that there was steady improvement from 1999 to 2010, but that overall dietary quality remains poor. [6]

Two studies offer further evidence of the disease prevention benefits that accrue from following a diet similar to one based on the Healthy Eating Pyramid:

• A study that tracked 7,319 British civil servants for 18 years found that men and women with the highest scores on the Alternate Healthy Eating Index had a 25% lower risk of dying from any cause, and a 42% lower risk of dying from heart disease, than people with the lowest scores. [3]
• Another observational study in 93,676 post-menopausal women found that following a Healthy Eating Pyramid-style diet (as measured by adherence to the Alternative Healthy Eating Index ) was superior to following a low-fat diet at lowering cardiovascular disease and heart failure risk. [1]

Permissions for Use

Copyright © 2011, Harvard University. For more information about The Healthy Eating Plate, please see The Nutrition Source, Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, www.thenutritionsource.org , and Harvard Health Publications, www.health.harvard.edu .

• Akbaraly TN, Ferrie JE, Berr C, Brunner EJ, Head J, Marmot MG, Singh-Manoux A, Ritchie K, Shipley MJ, Kivimaki M. Alternative Healthy Eating Index and mortality over 18 y of follow-up: results from the Whitehall II cohort. The American journal of clinical nutrition . 2011 May 25;94(1):247-53.
• Belin RJ, Greenland P, Allison M, Martin L, Shikany JM, Larson J, Tinker L, Howard BV, Lloyd-Jones D, Van Horn L. Diet quality and the risk of cardiovascular disease: the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). The American journal of clinical nutrition . 2011 May 25;94(1):49-57.
• McCullough ML, Feskanich D, Stampfer MJ, Giovannucci EL, Rimm EB, Hu FB, Spiegelman D, Hunter DJ, Colditz GA, Willett WC. Diet quality and major chronic disease risk in men and women: moving toward improved dietary guidance. The American journal of clinical nutrition . 2002 Dec 1;76(6):1261-71.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. The Healthy Eating Index .
• Continuous Update Project Report Summary. Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer , 2011.
• Wang DD, Leung CW, Li Y, Ding EL, Chiuve SE, Hu FB, Willett WC. Trends in dietary quality among adults in the United States, 1999 through 2010. JAMA internal medicine . 2014 Oct 1;174(10):1587-95.

Last reviewed January 2023

Terms of Use

The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.

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13 Food Presentation Ideas for an Unforgettable Culinary Experience

Sydney Kida | May 28, 2022 |

Eating is a sensory activity, and that doesn’t mean just taste — the culinary experience engages all the senses. That means texture, taste, aroma and, in some cases, even sound  (think: the sizzling of fajitas or sparklers atop a cake). When it comes to cuisine and the customer experience, how the food looks when it comes out of your kitchen is just as important as how it tastes.  

Need some food presentation ideas to take your dishes to the next level? We’ve got the details on why you need to step up your plating game, as well as how you can do it with 13 creative food presentation ideas sure to impress. 

Why Food Presentation Matters

We eat with our eyes first. You can put photos of beautifully arranged food on a restaurant menu and guests will point and say, “I’ll take one of those!” when without the photo, they wouldn’t have even considered it. Similarly, an artfully arranged pastry display in a cafe or bakery window will entice guests to come inside to see if the food tastes as good as it looks. 

Whether you’re a fast-casual establishment with a laid back vibe or a high-end restaurant with elevated and sophisticated dishes, presentation turns a regular meal into a memorable customer experience. People are drawn to beautiful things and let’s be honest, first impressions are everything. 

In today’s world of social media and influencer marketing, unique and beautiful food presentation increases the likelihood of a guest posting a photo to their social media and tagging your eatery. That’s powerful positive publicity and some serious word of mouth marketing – and it’s free ! Plus, people are more likely to try out restaurants recommended by a friend, especially if the dishes look thoughtfully planned and carefully curated.  

On the flip side, sloppy or unappetizing presentations can result in negative reviews online. Reviews are forever when written on the Internet and 94% of today's consumers check online reviews and photos before choosing a place to eat. 

Incorporating interesting food presentation ideas is an opportunity to get creative, show off a chef’s skill, and provide that “wow” factor to the dining experience. Just make sure the substance matches style! Unique dishes mean guests can only get them at your restaurant, and this uniqueness inspires loyalty. Plus, guests will gladly pay more for an artfully designed meal.

Creative Food Presentation Ideas , Tips & Tricks

A creative presentation of food is the final touch to a meal. Here are thirteen tips and tricks for presenting food, ranging from simple dishes to fine dining: 

Edible Flowers

Nothing classes up a dish like dainty flowers. Flower petals add pops of color in salads, soups, desserts, and even entrees. Because flowers are a beautiful and unexpected thing to appear on a plate, they are memorable. Just make sure they’re edible ! 

There are many food presentation techniques related to sauces that a chef can experiment with. A guest’s name spelled out in chocolate drizzle on a dessert plate is a fun way to celebrate a birthday. Dots, smears, and swirls of bright sauces add visual interest for both sweet and savory dishes. Practice with piping bags or squeeze bottles to perfect the hand control required for these sauce techniques.

Food presentation isn’t just about what to add to the food or how to style it. The tablecloth, place setting, and cutlery play a part, too. For in-restaurant dining, make sure your tables are welcoming with candles or flowers. If a guest is ordering to-go, the packaging is part of the visual appeal. So often en route, the food’s presentation gets ruined. To prevent that, choose high quality, eco-friendly sectioned packaging that keeps the food in place. 

Deconstructed

As far as simple food presentation ideas go, deconstructing is a classic. Eating traditional meals in a deconstructed way makes humdrum food feel like a new experience entirely. For example, a deconstructed burger and fries encourages a bite of fries with onion and tomato — it’s a new way to enjoy an old classic. Having a focal point, like a red onion ring in the center, keeps it from looking sloppy.

For a fine dining steak presentation, the best way to elevate it is through height and layers. Visually, steak is flat and typically darker in color. Adding a colorful garnish with some height to it makes it look more exciting. If you don’t want to go for height, create layers to the dish for a similar effect. Cut the steak horizontally and fan it out to create layers. Place the steak atop or under a side, like mashed potatoes or greens. Pre-cutting the steak not only saves the eater time and effort, it gives them a peek at the beautiful pink in between the brown sides. 

Make Every Side Dish a Main Event

Just because it’s a side dish doesn’t mean it’s less tasty or important! Don’t forget about sprucing them up, too. Unless someone requests separate bowls or has a food allergy, you don’t have to serve side dishes in separate bowls. The placement of sides next to other food can make for a colorful palette and encourages the eater to enjoy the meal as one experience. If you don’t have the space on the main plate for the sides, serve them on beautiful plates with a stand-out design or color. 

Play with your Food 

The arrangement of an appetizer is everything: it must be enticing and easily shareable. A fried onion bloom is iconic for this reason. To make an engaging and interactive appetizer experience, consider plating it in a way that’s fun and interactive for your customers. For example, mozzarella sticks can be arranged around a focal point (marinara dipping sauce) or stacked on top of each other like Lincoln Logs. Top with a leaf of lettuce for a roof. Great for the kids’ menu! 

Sugar is cheap and you already have it on hand: just learn some techniques to create garnishes to top your crème brûlées and cakes. Sugar can be twisted into some truly stunning and unique shapes when caramelized. Not only does this add sweetness to your dish, it also adds a unique flair that’s sure to end up on their Instagram. 

The plate is your canvas, so make it a composition. While this may take some more time, it’s an opportunity for the chef to consider new flavors and designs. Think about the shape of the plate as well, not just the design or color. A square plate with round food in it provides an interesting contrast. Make the plates do the work for you.  

Color Theory 

Even if someone orders plain fish and chips, think of ways to pop color onto that plate. Yes, there is the standard lemon and parsley. But how can you go the extra mile? Another addition of color can make this basic dish be remembered above the rest. Go for purple cabbage in coleslaw instead of white or green. Plus, the more color, the more nutrition you are offering your guests. Certain colors can elicit certain feelings in customers. For example, red and yellow stimulate hunger.

Tools for the Job

Make sure you have the right tools in the kitchen for the delicate placement of food, garnishes, and sauces. Use squeeze bottles and piping bags for liquid-like foods, and precision tongs to place food just so on the plate. Don’t forget a small towel to wipe the plate clean in case of any accidental smudges. 

You don’t want the dish to become overwhelming or unwieldy to dig into. To leave room for presentation, consider either providing a smaller portion, or using a larger plate. While adding color is best practice, you don’t need to include every color or food group on a plate.

The best food presentation is authentic. If your restaurant’s appeal is its hominess and folksiness, having an over-the-top presentation when guests love the simplicity isn’t catering to your audience. If you are known for your simple and effective presentations, play to your strengths. Above all, stay true to your restaurant’s personality and ambiance.

Enhance Your Restaurant with Revel 

Cooking presentation is just one part of a successful restaurant. While show-stopping presentations are the hook to attract guests, efficient and reliable cloud-native software is the glue that keeps the whole enterprise functioning seamlessly. With a robust restaurant POS system , Revel Systems® keeps servers and kitchen staff updated in real-time to keep guests happy. 

See how our suite of tools can help your restaurant by requesting a free demo today!

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Top 7 Food Presentation Templates with Examples and Samples

Sarnali Dey

Navigating the vast expanse of the food industry? Dive in as we unravel the essence of the sector through a series of expertly crafted PowerPoint templates. From the dynamic tides of the frozen food market to strategies that make your restaurant's voice resonate, our presentations aren't mere slides - they're your beacon. Whether you're kickstarting a food venture, unveiling a revolutionary product, or painting the tapestry of your brand's journey, we've got the perfect blueprint tailored for clarity, precision, and impact. Why wade through the waters of uncertainty when you can sail with authority? Discover the roadmap to your food industry success, one slide at a time.

Navigating the intricacies of the food industry demands structured planning and insightful examples. This blog explores the top 10 food plan templates that can transform your culinary strategy.

Template 1: Frozen Foods Industry Report PowerPoint Slides

Unlock crucial insights into the booming frozen food sector with our in-depth Frozen Foods Industry Report template. Discover astonishing facts, like the rapid market expansion in European countries and emerging consumer behaviors shaping the frozen food domain. The presentation dives deep, clarifying market players like Nomad, ConAgra, and General Mills with their five-year financial summaries. Grasp strategies like risk mitigation and go-to-market approaches backed by robust analytical tools like SWOT and Porter's Five Forces Model. This functional, content-rich template isn't just aesthetically engaging but a treasure trove of information for researchers and business professionals. Download this comprehensive report now

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Template 2: Marketing Activities For Fast Food Restaurant Promotion

Elevate your restaurant's promotional endeavors with our all-inclusive Fast Food Restaurant Marketing Activities template. Imagine having an edge by employing strategies meticulously crafted for both the digital space and traditional avenues. This deck highlights pivotal online marketing maneuvers, from impactful social media campaigns to targeted email outreaches. Delve into offline gems like billboards and TV commercials, each adding a unique flavor to your promotional mix. The cherry on top? An integrated calendar for streamlined content distribution and dashboards to gauge campaign efficiency. Let your restaurant's voice resonate louder and clearer. Dive in and see the magic unfold!

Template 3: Fast Food Business Plan PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Equip yourself with our definitive Startup Fast Food Business Plan template. Delve deep into essential realms, from an exhaustive market analysis to razor-sharp financial forecasts. This comprehensive deck will serve as your compass, guiding you through marketing dynamics, operational nuances, and financial intricacies. Whether strategizing customer engagement or understanding the financial trajectory, our blueprint ensures you're not navigating the competitive waters blindfolded. Curated with precision and practicality in mind, it’s more than just a presentation; it’s your roadmap to success. Set your fast-food dream in motion!

Template 4: Launching New Food Product PowerPoint Presentation

Unveil your new food product with panache and maximize sales and profits using our comprehensive Launching New Food Product template. This deck provides actionable insights, from highlighting recent Food Manufacturing industry trends to understanding key competitor moves. It’s not just about the launch; it's about anticipating challenges and turning them into opportunities. Demographics, objectives, risks - our presentation touches every facet of a successful product launch. Equip your team with a robust strategy that ensures your product reaches its target audience and resonates with them. Embrace the future of vacuum-packed food with a launch that makes waves!

Template 5: Business Pitch Deck for Food Start-Up

Kickstart your food venture using our well-crafted Business Pitch Deck for Food Start-Up. Tailored to elevate your business proposal, this presentation deck accentuates key components every investor seeks: market trends, competitive analysis, financial projections, and more. Delve deeper into your unique selling proposition and stand out amidst the crowded food industry. With 56 logically structured, content-ready slides, this pitch deck is not just a tool but a launchpad for your entrepreneurial journey. Seize this chance to captivate your investors and mold your food startup's future.

Template 6: Food Company Profile PowerPoint Presentation

Illuminate your food business's journey with our content-rich Food Company Profile template. Offering a 360-degree view, this deck delves into your business, from operations and key achievements to financial robustness. Let stakeholders and customers resonate with your vision, mission, and core values. The deck boasts of your global footprint and magnifies financial insights from various business units. Dive deep into SWOT analysis layout plans and underline your social responsibilities. With 42 expertly crafted slides, captivate your audience by revealing what truly sets your company apart. Enhance your company narrative and let it echo with credibility.

Template 7: Food and Beverage Company Profile PowerPoint Presentation Slides

Navigate the rich tapestry of your Food Business Promotion and Beverage business with our detailed Company Profile template. This deck highlights pivotal insights and reveals your firm's ethos, vision, and mission. Showcase your products, brands, and geographical reach, spotlighting manufacturing prowess. Analyse product success with revenue growth metrics and flaunt a rich timeline from 1992 to 2021. This presentation offers a comprehensive business model, emphasizing sustainable strategies and vital financials. Dive deep into CSR initiatives and value creation while offering potential investors a lucid view of export opportunities. With 51 impactful slides, this template is your narrative sculpted to perfection. 

Bonus Template: Food Product Pitch Presentation PPT Template

Craft a compelling narrative for your food product with our strategically advanced pitch presentation template. Addressing the heart of your product, it pinpoints the problem it solves, its market potential, and projected revenue. Within its concise span of 10 to 20 slides, every detail, from your mission statement and marketing strategies to yearly milestones, is showcased precisely yet impactfully. Dive deep into your product's unique selling proposition, backed by informative graphs and charts that fortify your pitch. Tailored for clarity and persuasion, this template is your key to leaving an indelible mark on potential investors. Engage and convince; kickstart your success journey now!

The Endnote

In the constantly changing food sector, possessing the appropriate tools can be the dividing line between prominence and oblivion. Our collection of PowerPoint Templates, from in-depth industry reports to strategic pitch presentations, is a testament to the power of precise, impactful, and well-structured information. Each template is designed to cater to specific needs, whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring entrepreneur. These aren't just presentations; they are strategic roadmaps, guiding you to make informed decisions and resonate with your target audience. The food industry's landscape is vast, but with these tools, you can navigate it with confidence and authority. Harness the potential of these templates and chart a path to success in the culinary world. Embrace the journey and let your culinary vision come alive.

Related posts:

• Top 10 Must-Have Food Startup Pitch Decks to Get Investors’ Attention
• ‘How to Setup a Food-Related Business’ in SIX Steps – Food And Beverage Firm Pitch Deck Included
• How to Craft a Perfect Food Industry Business Plan?
• How to Design the Perfect Service Launch Presentation [Custom Launch Deck Included]

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Nutrition and Making Healthy Food Choices - Health - 7th Grade

Nutrition and making healthy food choices - health - 7th grade presentation, free google slides theme and powerpoint template.

Making the right food choices is a fundamental step towards leading a healthy lifestyle. This nutrition-focused Google Slides and PowerPoint template helps you effectively impart valuable knowledge on this subject. Designed for a middle school health class, it comes fully loaded with fresh food illustrations for a visually appealing presentation. The design is clean, focusing entirely on ease of understanding. Not only is it easy to use, but it is fully editable, allowing you to customize it according to specific classroom needs. Unveil the secrets of healthy eating to your students!

Features of this template

• 100% editable and easy to modify
• Different slides to impress your audience
• Contains easy-to-edit graphics such as graphs, maps, tables, timelines and mockups
• Includes 500+ icons and Flaticon’s extension for customizing your slides
• Designed to be used in Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint
• Includes information about fonts, colors, and credits of the resources used

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Yes, pizza can be healthy. Here’s what to know

Experts say that pizza can be a nutritious meal, especially if you follow these steps.

By Paul Hoskin

Whether for birthday parties or late-night hangouts, pizza is an easy food to serve and share.

But it’s not often seen as healthy, and it’s more likely to be compared to a burger and fries than a salad.

However, health experts say it’s possible to make even pizza nutritious.

Amy Kimberlain , a registered dietitian, told Everyday Health that pizza — comprised of carbohydrates, protein and fat — has “all the components of what a meal would typically contain” and can provide energy and flavor.

Here are ways to make your next pizza healthier.

Make it at home

“By making (pizza) at home you have the control over how, ultimately, it’s being made,” Kimberlain said to Everyday Health .

Dana Angelo White , a registered dietitian nutritionist, echoed this statement on Food Network : “Homemade pizza allows you to control the quality, but more importantly, the quantity of the ingredients. Pizza is also the ultimate opportunity to reduce food waste — dig through the fridge on a Friday, and your fixings choose themselves.”

Mind the crust

Avoid choosing a high-carb, high-sodium crust, and instead opt for a low-carb or fiber-heavy option.

Cleveland Clinic listed some healthy options to choose from:

• Cauliflower crust.
• Spelt flour crust.
• Whole-wheat pita.

Similarly, Verywell Fit recommended to choose either a whole-wheat or sourdough crust. Whole-wheat crust can provide extra fiber and help keep you full for longer, while sourdough crust can promote healthy gut bacteria due to its fermentation process.

Choose the right sauce

Cleveland Clinic advised going with olive oil , pesto, sofrito sauce or tomato sauce, and avoiding barbecue sauce as it can have added sugar and sodium.

“Traditional red sauce will provide vitamins A and C along with the antioxidant lycopene,” Kimberlain told Everyday Health . Lycopene has been associated with reducing the risk of stroke and even certain cancers.

Pesto can also be beneficial. As it’s made with pine nuts, it could help to lower your levels of bad cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, per Everyday Health .

Kimberlain said to Everyday Health that cheese “will provide protein and calcium,” but urged pizza lovers to be cautious about the amount used “as it does have saturated fat, too.”

Aside from mozzarella — which can be low in fat and calories — Medical News Today described feta and ricotta as healthy cheese options.

• Feta: In addition to being a low-calorie option, feta holds a significant amount of phosphorous, which, like calcium, is important for bone health.
• Ricotta: As it’s made with whey protein, ricotta can decrease LDL cholesterol.

Embrace colorful toppings

Vegetables can boost the nutrients on a pizza. Leafy greens like spinach or kale, for example, help to get you vitamins A, C and K, as well as potassium and fiber, according to Cleveland Clinic .

“Pile the vegetable toppings high, or serve along with a salad, and your pizza meal is incredibly balanced,” Angelo White said to Food Network .

As for meats, Verywell Fit suggested to go for leaner meat options such as chicken, shrimp or even tofu — especially if you’re being careful about your cholesterol levels .

As Julia Zumpano, a preventive cardiology dietitian, told Cleveland Clinic , “The No. 1 best way to boost the nutritional value of your pizza is by cutting out processed meats, which are high in calories and unhealthy fats.”

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What to Eat on Your Period: Foods to Eat and Avoid

• Foods to Eat
• What to Drink
• Foods to Avoid
• Drinks to Avoid
• Food Cravings
• Can Foods Affect Duration?

Menstrual periods often come with many uncomfortable symptoms, such as bloating, cramping , back pain, and fatigue. It is also common to experience food cravings before and during your period.

Some foods can lessen these symptoms, while others may make them worse. Making changes to your diet during your period may reduce your symptoms.

This article contains foods to eat and avoid during your period.

Grace Cary / Getty Images

Foods to Eat on Your Period

Certain foods , including fruit and fish, can reduce menstruation discomfort. Eating foods with vitamin E and calcium may also improve pain and energy levels.  

Fruits, like watermelon , are rich in water and fiber , which may ease period symptoms and keep you hydrated throughout your cycle. High-fiber foods help prevent constipation and regulate the digestive tract. 

Research shows eating a vegetarian diet rich in fruits and vegetables may lead to fewer cramps and less abdominal pain during your period.  

Leafy Greens

Leafy greens , like spinach and kale, are rich in fiber, iron , and calcium. If you experience very heavy periods, it is important to choose foods with iron. Low iron levels may cause fatigue, aches, and pains.  

Ginger's anti-inflammatory effects may improve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and period symptoms. One study shows that consuming ginger may improve the physical and mental symptoms of PMS. Brew a cup of ginger tea or take a ginger supplement before and during your period.

Chicken is a good source of iron and protein . Eating protein-rich foods during your period may reduce food cravings by keeping you fuller for longer and improving energy and pain levels.  

Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids , iron, and protein, which may improve mood and reduce depression . This can be helpful for those who experience mood changes, depression, or anxiety before or during their periods.  

Dark Chocolate

The iron and magnesium in dark chocolate may improve menstrual pain. People with low magnesium levels are at an increased risk of PMS symptoms like headaches, bloating, and cramps.   

Turmeric is a spice known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The main compound in turmeric is curcumin. Research found that taking curcumin before your period may improve PMS symptoms like cramping and bloating.  

Like fish, nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein. They also contain vitamins and minerals like magnesium. Consider incorporating nuts into your diet before and during your period. 

Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may improve period pain, and flaxseed oil can improve constipation. It's common to experience gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation and diarrhea during your period.

Quinoa is rich in protein and contains nine essential amino acids. A high-protein diet can improve food cravings before and during your period. Quinoa also contains iron and magnesium to ease period symptoms like headaches and fatigue.  

Lentils and Beans

Lentils and beans contain iron and protein to improve period discomfort. A high-protein diet can help you feel fuller longer while reducing cravings for sugary foods.  

Many types of yogurt contain probiotics , live bacteria, and yeasts known to improve gut health and digestion. Consuming probiotics before and during your period may relieve pain and improve your mood.

Tofu is a fermented food rich in protein, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Fermented foods like tofu, tempeh, kefir, and sauerkraut may improve gastrointestinal symptoms, but more research is needed.

What to Drink During Your Period

In addition to eating nutrient-rich foods, staying hydrated with healthy drinks can improve period symptoms. 

Drinking water can reduce PMS symptoms like bloating and constipation. A study found that drinking more water during your period may reduce period pain and lower the need for medication like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) .  

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a soothing drink any time of the month but may be especially helpful during your period. Research shows drinking peppermint tea before your period may improve PMS symptoms, including cramps, diarrhea, and nausea.

Kombucha is a fermented drink that contains probiotics, which are known to improve gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation and diarrhea.  

Foods to Avoid on Your Period

Some foods can make period symptoms worse. Foods that contain high amounts of salt and sugar may make you feel worse during your period. 

A diet rich in salt and processed foods may lead to water retention . Salt can make period bloating worse. However, lowering the amount of salt you eat during your period may reduce the risk of bloating.

You may find yourself craving sweets before your period. Indulge in your favorites, but moderation is key. Eating sugary foods causes your blood sugar to spike and then fall. It may also make food cravings feel more intense. A study found that when people chose a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar diet, their food cravings were reduced significantly.

Eating red meat may contribute to the risk of pain around your period. Research found that eating large amounts of red meat may raise the risk of endometriosis , a chronic disorder that causes significant period pain.  

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods may cause abdominal distress. Spicy foods made with hot spices often contain capsaicin. Capsaicin is irritating to the stomach lining and may lead to heartburn or diarrhea . This can make period-related diarrhea worse.  

Highly Processed Foods

Highly processed foods are often high in salt, fat, and sugar. They may lead to worsened period symptoms. Research shows that calorie-dense snack foods may contribute to food cravings and period discomfort.  

Any Foods You Don’t Tolerate Well

If you have noticed that your body does not tolerate certain foods well, it’s best to skip them before and during your period. Any foods that cause constipation, diarrhea, or nausea could make you feel worse while you are experiencing PMS and your period.

Drinks to Avoid During Your Period

Certain drinks may worsen period symptoms by contributing to bloating or headaches.

Drinking too much caffeinated coffee may worsen period symptoms like headaches and anxiety. Coffee may also contribute to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you love starting your day with coffee, it is likely OK to continue that in moderation. 

Alcohol is a dehydrating drink and may not be the best choice during your period. Dehydration leads to headaches and bloating. Side effects of drinking alcohol may include nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.  

Other Tips for Period Pain Relief

Consider incorporating the following tips into your daily routine during the week before and during your period to ease symptoms:

• Engage in gentle physical activity such as walking or swimming.
• Prioritize restful sleep by going to bed and waking up at the same time each day.
• Practice stress management techniques like meditation or yoga .
• Avoid cigarette smoke because it can make PMS symptoms worse.
• Use a hot compress or take a shower to soothe muscle aches and abdominal pain.
• Try over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Advil or Motrin to ease cramping pain.

Are Food Cravings Normal During Your Period?

Food cravings are very common before and during the menstrual period. They are likely caused by progesterone , a hormone that peaks before your period. Researchers believe progesterone may cause you to feel hungrier right before your period.

Can Certain Foods Make My Period End Faster?

It is unclear if certain foods can decrease the number of bleeding days and make your period end faster. A study found that people who consumed myrtle fruit syrup before and during their periods experienced fewer symptoms and days of bleeding. More research is needed to determine if food can impact your period length.

Menstrual periods often cause uncomfortable symptoms like cramping, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, and back pain. Certain foods, like fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish, ginger, and yogurt, may improve symptoms. Helpful drinks during your period include water, peppermint tea, and kombucha.

Plan to avoid or use moderation with foods that can worsen period symptoms. These include foods rich in sugar and salt, red meat, and processed foods. To ease period pain, engage in daily physical activity, practice stress management, and focus on getting good sleep.

Najafi N, Khalkhali H, Moghaddam Tabrizi F, et al. Major dietary patterns in relation to menstrual pain: a nested case control study . BMC Womens Health . 2018;18(1):69. doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0558-4

Racine SE, Culbert KM, Keel PK, et al. Differential associations between ovarian hormones and disordered eating symptoms across the menstrual cycle in women . Int J Eat Disord . 2012;45(3):333-344. doi:10.1002/eat.20941

Fernández-Martínez E, Onieva-Zafra MD, Parra-Fernández ML. Lifestyle and prevalence of dysmenorrhea among Spanish female university students . PLoS One . 2018;13(8):e0201894. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0201894

National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute. Anemia - Iron-deficiency anemia .

Sharifzadeh F, Kashanian M, Koohpayehzadeh J, et al. A comparison between the effects of ginger, pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and placebo for the treatment of the first trimester nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) . J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med . 2018;31(19):2509-2514. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1344965

Khayat S, Kheirkhah M, Behboodi Moghadam Z, Fanaei H, Kasaeian A, Javadimehr M. Effect of treatment with ginger on the severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms . ISRN Obstet Gynecol . 2014;2014:792708. doi:10.1155/2014/792708

Bowen J, Brindal E, James-Martin G, Noakes M. Randomized trial of a high protein, partial meal replacement program with or without alternate day fasting: Similar effects on weight loss, retention status, nutritional, metabolic, and behavioral outcomes . Nutrients . 2018;10(9):1145. doi:10.3390/nu10091145

• Grosso G, Galvano F, Marventano S, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and depression: scientific evidence and biological mechanisms . Oxid Med Cell Longev . 2014;2014:313570. doi:10.1155/2014/313570

Saeedian Kia A, Amani R, Cheraghian B. The association between the risk of premenstrual syndrome and vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium status among university students . Health Promot Perspect . 2015;5(3):225-230. doi:10.15171/hpp.2015.027

Khayat S, Fanaei H, Kheirkhah M, et al. Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial . Complement Ther Med . 2015;23(3):318-324. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2015.04.001

Ma J, Sun J, Bai H, et al. Influence of flax seeds on the gut microbiota of elderly patients with constipation . J Multidiscip Healthc . 2022;15:2407-2418. doi:10.2147/JMDH.S379708

Agarwal A, Rizwana, Tripathi AD, Kumar T, Sharma KP, Patel SKS. Nutritional and functional new perspectives and potential health benefits of quinoa and chia seeds . Antioxidants (Basel) . 2023;12(7):1413. doi:10.3390/antiox12071413

Zakaria IA, Mohammed Zain NA, Teik CK, et al. The role of probiotics in improving menstrual health in women with primary dysmenorrhoea: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (the PERIOD study) . Womens Health (Lond) . 2024;20:17455057241234524. doi:10.1177/17455057241234524

Dimidi E, Cox SR, Rossi M, Whelan K. Fermented foods: Definitions and characteristics, impact on the gut microbiota and effects on gastrointestinal health and disease . Nutrients . 2019;11(8):1806. doi:10.3390/nu11081806

Torkan B, Mousavi M, Dehghani S, et al. The role of water intake in the severity of pain and menstrual distress among females suffering from primary dysmenorrhea: a semi-experimental study . BMC Womens Health . 2021;21(1):40. doi:10.1186/s12905-021-01184-w

Masoumi SZ, Asl HR, Poorolajal J, Panah MH, Oliaei SR. Evaluation of mint efficacy regarding dysmenorrhea in comparison with mefenamic acid . Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res . 2016;21(4):363-367. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185574

Peng AW, Juraschek SP, Appel LJ, Miller ER 3rd, Mueller NT. Effects of the DASH diet and sodium intake on bloating: Results rrom the DASH-sodium trial . Am J Gastroenterol . 2019;114(7):1109-1115. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000283

Anguah KO, Syed-Abdul MM, Hu Q, et al. Changes in food cravings and eating behavior after a dietary carbohydrate restriction intervention trial . Nutrients . 2019;12(1):52. doi:10.3390/nu12010052

Arab A, Karimi E, Vingrys K, Kelishadi MR, Mehrabani S, Askari G. Food groups and nutrients consumption and risk of endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies . Nutr J . 2022;21(1):58. doi:10.1186/s12937-022-00812-x

Poison Control. Capsaicin: When the chili is too hot .

MedlinePlus. Caffeine .

MedlinePlus. Alcohol .

Office on Women’s Health. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) .

Qaraaty M, Kamali SH, Dabaghian FH, et al. Effect of myrtle fruit syrup on abnormal uterine bleeding: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study . Daru . 2014;22(1):45. doi:10.1186/2008-2231-22-45

By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Madormo is a health writer with over a decade of experience as a registered nurse. She has worked in pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health.

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How to Thrive as You Age

A cheap drug may slow down aging. a study will determine if it works.

Allison Aubrey

A drug taken by millions of people to control diabetes may do more than lower blood sugar.

Research suggests metformin has anti-inflammatory effects that could help protect against common age-related diseases including heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.

Scientists who study the biology of aging have designed a clinical study, known as The TAME Trial, to test whether metformin can help prevent these diseases and promote a longer healthspan in healthy, older adults.

Michael Cantor, an attorney, and his wife Shari Cantor , the mayor of West Hartford, Connecticut both take metformin. "I tell all my friends about it," Michael Cantor says. "We all want to live a little longer, high-quality life if we can," he says.

Michael Cantor started on metformin about a decade ago when his weight and blood sugar were creeping up. Shari Cantor began taking metformin during the pandemic after she read that it may help protect against serious infections.

Shari and Michael Cantor both take metformin. They are both in their mid-60s and say they feel healthy and full of energy. Theresa Oberst/Michael Cantor hide caption

Shari and Michael Cantor both take metformin. They are both in their mid-60s and say they feel healthy and full of energy.

The Cantors are in their mid-60s and both say they feel healthy and have lots of energy. Both noticed improvements in their digestive systems – feeling more "regular" after they started on the drug,

Metformin costs less than a dollar a day, and depending on insurance, many people pay no out-of-pocket costs for the drug.

"I don't know if metformin increases lifespan in people, but the evidence that exists suggests that it very well might," says Steven Austad , a senior scientific advisor at the American Federation for Aging Research who studies the biology of aging.

An old drug with surprising benefits

Metformin was first used to treat diabetes in the 1950s in France. The drug is a derivative of guanidine , a compound found in Goat's Rue, an herbal medicine long used in Europe.

The FDA approved metformin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the U.S. in the 1990s. Since then, researchers have documented several surprises, including a reduced risk of cancer. "That was a bit of a shock," Austad says. A meta-analysis that included data from dozens of studies, found people who took metformin had a lower risk of several types of cancers , including gastrointestinal, urologic and blood cancers.

Austad also points to a British study that found a lower risk of dementia and mild cognitive decline among people with type 2 diabetes taking metformin. In addition, there's research pointing to improved cardiovascular outcomes in people who take metformin including a reduced risk of cardiovascular death .

As promising as this sounds, Austad says most of the evidence is observational, pointing only to an association between metformin and the reduced risk. The evidence stops short of proving cause and effect. Also, it's unknown if the benefits documented in people with diabetes will also reduce the risk of age-related diseases in healthy, older adults.

"That's what we need to figure out," says Steve Kritchevsky , a professor of gerontology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, who is a lead investigator for the Tame Trial.

The goal is to better understand the mechanisms and pathways by which metformin works in the body. For instance, researchers are looking at how the drug may help improve energy in the cells by stimulating autophagy, which is the process of clearing out or recycling damaged bits inside cells.

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Researchers also want to know more about how metformin can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may slow biological aging.

"When there's an excess of oxidative stress, it will damage the cell. And that accumulation of damage is essentially what aging is," Kritchevsky explains.

When the forces that are damaging cells are running faster than the forces that are repairing or replacing cells, that's aging, Kritchevsky says. And it's possible that drugs like metformin could slow this process down.

By targeting the biology of aging, the hope is to prevent or delay multiple diseases, says Dr. Nir Barzilai of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, who leads the effort to get the trial started.

The ultimate in preventative medicine

Back in 2015, Austad and a bunch of aging researchers began pushing for a clinical trial.

"A bunch of us went to the FDA to ask them to approve a trial for metformin,' Austad recalls, and the agency was receptive. "If you could help prevent multiple problems at the same time, like we think metformin may do, then that's almost the ultimate in preventative medicine," Austad says.

The aim is to enroll 3,000 people between the ages of 65 and 79 for a six-year trial. But Dr. Barzilai says it's been slow going to get it funded. "The main obstacle with funding this study is that metformin is a generic drug, so no pharmaceutical company is standing to make money," he says.

Barzilai has turned to philanthropists and foundations, and has some pledges. The National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, set aside about $5 million for the research, but that's not enough to pay for the study which is estimated to cost between $45 and $70 million.

The frustration over the lack of funding is that if the trial points to protective effects, millions of people could benefit. "It's something that everybody will be able to afford," Barzilai says.

Currently the FDA doesn't recognize aging as a disease to treat, but the researchers hope this would usher in a paradigm shift — from treating each age-related medical condition separately, to treating these conditions together, by targeting aging itself.

For now, metformin is only approved to treat type 2 diabetes in the U.S., but doctors can prescribe it off-label for conditions other than its approved use .

Michael and Shari Cantor's doctors were comfortable prescribing it to them, given the drug's long history of safety and the possible benefits in delaying age-related disease.

"I walk a lot, I hike, and at 65 I have a lot of energy," Michael Cantor says. I feel like the metformin helps," he says. He and Shari say they have not experienced any negative side effects.

Research shows a small percentage of people who take metformin experience GI distress that makes the drug intolerable. And, some people develop a b12 vitamin deficiency. One study found people over the age of 65 who take metformin may have a harder time building new muscle.

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"There's some evidence that people who exercise who are on metformin have less gain in muscle mass, says Dr. Eric Verdin , President of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging. That could be a concern for people who are under-muscled .

But Verdin says it may be possible to repurpose metformin in other ways "There are a number of companies that are exploring metformin in combination with other drugs," he says. He points to research underway to combine metformin with a drug called galantamine for the treatment of sarcopenia , which is the medical term for age-related muscle loss. Sarcopenia affects millions of older people, especially women .

The science of testing drugs to target aging is rapidly advancing, and metformin isn't the only medicine that may treat the underlying biology.

"Nobody thinks this is the be all and end all of drugs that target aging," Austad says. He says data from the clinical trial could stimulate investment by the big pharmaceutical companies in this area. "They may come up with much better drugs," he says.

Michael Cantor knows there's no guarantee with metformin. "Maybe it doesn't do what we think it does in terms of longevity, but it's certainly not going to do me any harm," he says.

Cantor's father had his first heart attack at 51. He says he wants to do all he can to prevent disease and live a healthy life, and he thinks Metformin is one tool that may help.

For now, Dr. Barzilai says the metformin clinical trial can get underway when the money comes in.

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This story was edited by Jane Greenhalgh