What is Board and Brew Nutrition?
Board and brew nutrition refers to the food and drinks available at board game cafes and board game bars. These entertainment venues combining playing board games while enjoying coffee, tea, snacks, and other food items have become an increasingly popular way to spend time with friends.
The board game cafe environment offers a more social and engaging take on cafes and coffee shops. Patrons pay a cover charge to access an extensive library of board games and can enjoy the cafe's menu while playing.
The Rise of Board Game Cafes
Board game cafes first started gaining popularity in China and Korea in the early 2000s before spreading internationally. Today they represent a growing niche among young urban professionals, families, tourists, and board game enthusiasts looking for casual hangout spots.
Major cities like Los Angeles, New York, London, and Toronto now have dozens of board game bars, cafes, and lounges. Even smaller towns are starting to see board game-focused eateries and cafes emerge as popular novelty hangout spots.
Food and Drink Menus at Board Game Venues
While the main draw is playing fun board and tabletop games in a relaxed environment, board game hangouts place significant emphasis on their menus as well. The following food and beverages are common across many board game cafe options:
Coffee Drinks
Specialty coffee, espresso drinks, iced coffee, and coffee substitutes like matcha tea are very popular. Some locations offer alcohol as well.
Tea
A wide variety of standard and herbal hot and iced tea options.
Baked Goods
Cookies, small cakes, muffins, scones, and pastries for something sweet.
Snacks and Small Bites
Chips, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and other grab-and-go snacks.
Light Meals
Sandwiches, pizza, nachos, crepes, waffles, and similar fast casual fare.
The food and drink is designed to be easy to consume while playing games and prices are generally very affordable.
Evaluating the Nutrition at Board Game Cafes
How does the food at board game establishments generally stack up health and nutrition-wise? Here is an overview assessment:
Where They Excel
There are some bright spots nutritionally when it comes to typical board game cafe grub:
- Beverage variety - Plentiful coffee, tea, and other drink options mean staying hydrated is easy.
- Lighter dishes - Salads, sandwiches, and wraps can make nutritious picks.
- Smaller portions - Not overdoing calories is less likely when portions are smaller.
- Vegetarian choices - Many meatless options available.
Where They Fall Short
However, board game cafe menus also tend to feature a good amount of highly processed foods and less nutritious options:
- Baked goods and desserts - Lots of high-sugar, high-carb, low protein treats.
- Fried snacks - Items like fries and nachos cooked in unhealthy oils.
- Cheap ingredients - Menus emphasize affordability over nutrition quality.
- Kid-friendly dishes - Mac and cheese, chicken fingers, grilled cheese common.
How Menu Offerings Can Improve
Here are some ways board game cafes can enhance their food and drink lineups to offer healthier, more nutritious choices:
- More salads and bowls - Feature more veggies, lean proteins, and plant-based options.
- Sugar-free baking - Offer treats sweetened with fruit or low-glycemic sweeteners.
- Organic ingredients - Source items like coffee, tea, milk, and toppings organically.
- Healthy cooking - Use olive oil instead of vegetable oil, avoid deep frying.
- Smoothies and juices - Offer more produce-packed drinks.
- Nutrition labeling - List calories, macros, and ingredients clearly.
Strategies for Healthy Eating at Board Game Venues
Despite some of the limitations around less healthy options, patrons visiting board game establishments can still make nutritious choices following certain guidelines.
Here are tips for fueling your body well if planning to play board games at a cafe or bar:
Have a Game Plan
Check out the menu online first and go with some idea of healthier options you want to order. This prevents impulsively choosing based on convenience or cravings.
Mind Your Portions
While sampling a few treats is fine, avoid overdoing high fat and high sugar items which can add up calorie and nutrition-wise. Couple them with sufficient proteins and fiber.
Hydrate Smartly
Skip sugar-loaded coffees in favor of cold brew, americano, espresso, or hot and iced teas. Add only small amounts of milk, creamers, sweeteners or order drinks black.
Vary Your Choices
Alternate between lighter and heavier dishes like a salad plus half a sandwich instead of just fried bar food items.
Modify Items to Your Needs
Feel free to ask about substituting sides, toppings, dressings and customizing orders more healthfully.
Check In on Hunger Cues
Avoid mindless oversnacking just because food is around. Pause between helpings to reassess if you really still feel physically hungry.
Specific Menu Items to Choose or Customize
Wondering what to actually order when visiting a board game bar or cafe focused on reasonably healthy choices? Here are suggested dishes to select and potential modifications to increase nutrition:
Coffee and Tea
- Cold brew coffee
- Black coffee
- Americano
- Espresso
- Teas - green, white, oolong, herbal
Ask for unsweetened or use minimal honey. Request whole or non-dairy milks.
Protein and Energy
- Yogurt parfait
- Hard boiled egg
- Nut butter toast
- Protein bites or bar
- Cottage cheese
Top yogurt and toast with fruit instead of sweets. Pair nuts and seeds with cottage cheese for protein/fiber combo.
Bowls and Grain
- Grain bowl - quinoa, farro
- Buddha bowl - veggies + hummus
- Acai bowl
- Overnight oats
Load up bowls with vegetables, proteins like eggs or chickpeas, avocado for healthy fats.
Sandwiches and Wraps
- Veggie sandwich
- Turkey and cheese wrap
- Tuna salad sandwich
Opt for whole grain breads, load veggies, use avocado instead of mayo-based spreads.
Follow these suggestions for finding nutritious drinks, snacks, and light meals to fuel hours of board gaming.
Are Board Game Cafes Ultimately Nutrition Winners?
While board game bars and cafes may feature their fair share of indulgent comfort foods and baked goods, they also provide patrons great opportunities to make balanced choices.
With planning ahead and mindfully moderating portions, these fun entertainment spots can offer nutritious fuel for an afternoon or evening playing games with friends and family.
Additionally, the rise of board game establishments reflect evolving consumer preferences - including around healthier menus. As the niche continues maturing, expect venues to keep enhancing food and drink variety to attract discerning patrons of all ages.
FAQs
What are some of the most common menu items at board game cafes and bars?
Very popular menu offerings tend to include coffee drinks, teas, baked goods like muffins and cookies, salty snacks like chips and pretzels, as well as small sandwiches and pizza.
Are the menus at board game establishments very healthy overall?
Generally the menus emphasize affordability and easy to eat finger foods over nutrition quality. However, there are usually still some lighter options available like salads, yogurts, hard boiled eggs that make more balanced choices.
What is one way to eat healthier at a board game venue?
An effective strategy is to check out the menu online first and go in with a game plan for what you want to order. This prevents just grabbing whatever unhealthy items look convenient in the moment.
Should I avoid all treats and indulgent options when visiting a board game cafe?
You certainly don't have abstain from all indulgences if you want a sweet coffee drink or cookie. The key is balancing them out with sufficient proteins, fiber, and nutrition instead of just oversnacking all night.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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