By planning your lunch break and bringing your lunch to work, you’ll not only save money, you’ll be able to control your diet and soon will begin to feel better about yourself all around.
If you work in an office setting, you most likely sit in front of a computer each day for several hours at a time. Taking a lunch break is a great idea to get your mind off work, de-stress, and get your body moving, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to purchase and eat lunch out.
Read on to learn how you can still get time away from your desk by enjoying a lunch you made (and brought in) from home, plus feel satisfied and healthy.
Eating lunch at your desk is definitely not satisfying. More often than not, you aren’t enjoying what you’re eating or even thinking about what you’re eating, because you are multitasking! Be sure to go to your office kitchenette, go outside, or go into an empty conference room to take a lunch break. Grab an office buddy to enjoy your break together, too.
Most people think bringing their lunch to work means bringing leftovers, a salad, or bringing a sandwich (not satisfying!). These are just a few options. Eating a satisfying lunch that you bring from home is definitely doable. You can easily reinvent leftovers by adding other ingredients in your fridge or your pantry. Think outside the box to create a healthy and satisfying lunch. You can also search the Internet for simple lunch recipes that go beyond salads and sandwiches to ensure you get the most satisfaction out of the food you’re eating. And bring a healthy snack with you, so you don’t feel deprived from going out to eat.
Going out to lunch can really wreak havoc on your pocketbook. American workers spend an alarmingly high amount of their hard-earned cash on daily [work] expenses, according to a Workonomix survey by Accounting Principals. Two thirds (66 percent) of working Americans buy their lunch instead of packing it, costing them an average of $37 per week — nearly $2,000 a year.* This amount can go even higher, depending on where you work geographically and if you add a snack. So be sure to stock up on the best to-go containers for packing a lunch, and learn how to use them to your advantage.
Eating lunch out, whether it’s a grab-and-go meal or a sit-down lunch, can lead to weight gain, afternoon lethargy, and even overeating (eating larger portions than a typical “lunch” serving size). It can also disrupt your health if you have a health condition. If you bring your lunch at least three to four days a week (out of five), you can easily create a healthy mind, body, and soul balance.
If you live in New York City, on Long Island, or in Orange, Sullivan, or Westchester County and want more information about our health plans, please click here.
Please note that clicking on this link will take you away from the Healthfirst Healthy Living website.
© 2020 HF Management Services, LLC.
Healthfirst is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Healthfirst group of affiliated companies.
This health information or program is for educational purposes only and not intended to treat, diagnose, or act as a substitute for medical advice from your provider. Consult your healthcare provider and always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Sources
“7 Secrets of People Who Bring Their Lunch to Work Every Day,” Health.com. Accessed March 3, 2020.
https://www.health.com/nutrition/bring-lunch-work
“7 reasons to take your lunch to work,” Mother Nature Network. Accessed March 3, 2020.
https://www.mnn.com/food/healthy-eating/blogs/seven-reasons-to-take-your-lunch-to-work
“Survey finds American workers spend an average of $3,000 a year on coffee and lunch at work,” Wolters Kluwer. Accessed March 3, 2020.
http://www.employmentlawdaily.com/index.php/news/survey-finds-american-workers-spend-an-average-of-3000-a-year-on-coffee-and-lunch-at-work/
“8 Lunch Containers That Make Bringing Yours to Work So Much Easier,” Health.com. Accessed March 3, 2020.
https://www.health.com/food/lunch-containers
