A woman prepares lunch for herself at the office table/@saraa_jamess/
Many people think that if they eat their lunch while working, they save time and can finish the work sea earlier, or finish all their tasks for the day on time.
However, it turns out that experts claim that eating at the desk during a busy day is often ineffective for productive work the rest of the day.
An ezCater 2023 report, which surveyed 5,000 workers across the US, found that nearly 48% of people skip their lunch break at least once a week.
The factors involved in their decision to eat while working are varied.
The report revealed that 23% of people said they did this to finish their work on time, 22% worried they wouldn't have enough time to do their work if they didn't work through lunch and 20% said they had too many meetings to take a break in between today. "These data indicate that workers are thinking about the short-term impact on productivity and not paying attention to the big picture," Diane Swent, a spokeswoman for ezCater in Boston, told Fox News Digital.
"In the long run, not taking a break to recharge and refresh leads to burnout, stress and less mental clarity," said Swint, who works with companies, universities and organizations that want to use food to improve culture, productivity and overall job satisfaction. At this point, 48 percent of workers said they were less burned out when they took a lunch break, according to data from Lunch Report. "While workers may feel that skipping lunch breaks saves them time, the reality is that this habit decreases focus and lowers productivity," Swint said.
The benefits of taking an actual lunch break also appeared in the report, as 53% of workers found they had more "mental clarity" when they stopped to enjoy lunch. "78% of workers say taking a lunch break improves their work performance," Swint told Fox News Digital. In today's fast-paced work culture, many people find themselves enamored with the common practice of eating lunch while working, believing it to be a time-saving strategy to ensure an early or on-time departure from the office.
"However, this choice has significant implications not only for productivity but also about physical and mental well-being," said Sarah Hekler, MS, RD, a registered dietitian with the Anne Till Nutrition Group in Raleigh, North Carolina. "Another worthy benefit of a real lunch break: It can increase your work-life balance," she said, "A break during lunch supports a healthier work-life balance.
This allows people to temporarily get out of the professional mindset and fosters a sense of separation between work and personal life.
This boundary is essential to prevent work-related stress from seeping into other aspects of life."
Also, the defined lunch break helps with much-needed cognitive recharging during the workday. "Getting away from the desk provides a mental reset and allows people to return to work with increased focus and clarity," Keller told Fox. News Digital.
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Do you eat lunch at your desk at work?
Yes.
Always
From time to time
I always take a break
What are the nutritional implications of working through lunch?
1. Higher chance of mindless eating: "When people work during lunch, they often resort to mindless eating," said Hekler, "This means they consume food quickly and with little thought, which leads to improper chewing and poor digestion. Reckless eating may cause larger food particles to reach the stomach, making it difficult for the digestive system to break down and absorb nutrients efficiently."
2. Decreased absorption of nutrients: A rushed lunch may consist of processed or fast food, lacking essential nutrients.
"Nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, contribute to overall health and sustained energy," Heller told Fox News Digital.
When people neglect these food groups, they can experience deficiencies, affecting their ability to stay focused and energized throughout the day.
3. Lowering energy levels: "Skipping lunch or choosing foods rich in sugars and refined fats may lead to an energy slump in the afternoon," said Hekler, "These foods provide a quick energy boost, but are usually followed by a rapid drop in energy levels.
This can negatively affect productivity and concentration, making the ability to handle tasks challenging."
"Poor food choices can also reduce cognitive function," she added.
So what should you do?
If possible, leave your desk and eat lunch in the kitchenette. Go out if possible—or even eat out if you have the time. Whether you're bringing food from home, taking delivery, or stopping at a restaurant, the key is to create a healthy eating plan—not just for nutrition but for overall well-being. "Choosing a balanced lunch "A well-balanced diet that includes a combination of macronutrients—carbohydrates, proteins, and fats—helps maintain stable blood sugar levels," said Heller. "This, in turn, supports sustained energy throughout the afternoon and prevents the need for excessive caffeine consumption or unhealthy snacks to stay alert." ".
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