Whether you’re trying to stay healthy, save money, or you feel as if you’re simply too busy to take the full hour, having lunch at work is often a struggle.
Standing in the supermarket aisle trying to get the balance right can be a challenge, and when you’re feeling especially hungry, the challenge is even greater.
However, no matter what job you do, a filling and nutritious lunch has a multitude of benefits, positively affecting your mood and your productivity in the process. To help you make the most of your midday mealtime, here are our top five tips for the perfect working lunch.
5. Be realistic
It can be tempting to order an oversized lunch, especially if you feel like there’s money burning a hole in your pocket (otherwise known as pay-day). However, more often than not, your large lunch just proves a hindrance to your productivity, and your concentration starts to flag. This usually happens at around 3 o’clock, just as you’re about to go into an unnecessarily long meeting with your manager.
Maybe size really does matter…
4. Double up/buddy up/get social
While it’s perfectly normal to seek some solitude with your sandwich every once in a while, in our experience, lunch is one of those things that’s almost always better when enjoyed with someone else. Although there may be mitigating circumstances (new job, no lunchroom, olfactorily offensive food etc), always try and avoid being the canteen recluse.
And if you’re trying to keep the costs down, you could always club together and buy lunch for the week. Not only will it prove much more cost effective, but it’ll help you broaden your lunchtime horizons. Just try and avoid talking about work wherever possible (see: work/life balance).
All you need is a friend and somewhere to sit (warning: friends sold separately).
3. Mark your territory
To avoid going hungry, sometimes you have to play dirty. In other words, if you work in a large office and one which has a communal refrigerator, there’s always the chance that your lunch will go missing. If this happens more than once, it may be time to take evasive action.
The next time you bring lunch from home, write an angry post-it note and stick it to your Tupperware. If you’re struggling for inspiration, we find it’s best to keep it simple. Something along the lines of: ‘Dear lunch stealer: I know kung-fu. Your move…’ will usually suffice.
Remember: For some people, words can speak louder than actions…
2. Go outside
The internet: single-handedly ruining lunch breaks since the early nineties. Although, in extreme circumstances (such as working to a strict deadline), it may be unavoidable, more often than not, lunch at your desk involves browsing Amazon and watching videos of cats on YouTube.
Scientists have proved that dining at your desk can actually be detrimental to your health, not to mention your productivity. Instead of indulging in the daily picnic by your PC, why not go outside and have a real one? Even a simple walk through the park can break up the day, making you more alert and ready to work by the time you go back.
However, it’s always important to check the weather forecast before venturing out. No-one should spend their mealtime moist.
1. Variety
Even the most habitual of us enjoy a change from time to time. So as much as your budget allows, try and vary your diet.
And, although keeping the costs down should always be given some consideration, don’t be afraid to treat yourself if you’re having a bad day. No matter how resilient you are, some days, rehydrated chicken soup for the soul just doesn’t quite cut it.
Lunch is a great way to counter a daily routine which is otherwise hard to change, so take full advantage where you can. It could turn out to be the most important meal of the day.
Because only dull people are brilliant at breakfast…
Honourable mentions: Eat slowly, shop around, savour, swapsies.
Think there’s any we’ve missed out? Share them with us on twitter @reedcouk
