Grabbing a bag of chips from the vending machine after a morning full of meetings; heating up leftovers and eating mindlessly as you answer emails; eating takeout alone while staring at your phone and computer screen at the same time… Sound familiar? 62 percent of working professionals eat lunch at their desks—and some don’t eat lunch at all.
Canada-based health-casual chain Freshii wants to change the way we do lunch. Freshii’s “Let There Be Lunch” campaign encourages us all to take advantage of our lunch breaks and use them to recharge and refresh with a healthy meal, great conversation, and some sunshine.
Food as Fuel
To boost productivity and avoid a 3pm energy crash, eat mindfully and choose a meal that will power your brain. An ideal lunch includes a healthy balance of protein (think chicken or salmon), fiber (like greens and grains), and healthy fats (try avocado, olive oil, nuts or seeds). Nutrient-dense meals offer antioxidants, Omega-3s, and vitamins to keep your mind sharp and ready to take on the afternoon.
It can be overwhelming to concoct your own healthy meal, especially if you’re the sort of person whose cooking skills are limited to making toast. There’s no need for elaborate meal prep—Freshii can help. Choose from an array of colorful, delicious bowls, salads, and wraps, each perfect to energize your afternoon.
A few of our favorites include:
Market Salad: mixed greens with sweet and savory toppings like quinoa, cranberries, chicken, avocado, and a sweet honey-Dijon dressing.
Kale Caesar Wrap: crunchy kale, grilled chicken, crispy chickpeas and more, topped with a zesty Greek yogurt Caesar dressing.
Khao San Burrito: a base of brown rice and spinach is topped with a blend of Asian-fusion favorites, like edamame, carrots and cabbage, blended with a spicy peanut and lemongrass sauce.
Oaxaca Bowl: brown rice and kale are mixed with Mexican-inspired toppings like black beans, corn, salsa fresca, and a spicy yogurt sauce.
Give Your Mind and Body a Rest
Eating at your desk might make you feel more productive, but in reality, you’re robbing yourself of the chance to take a much-needed mental break.
Dr. Andrew Pipe of the University of Ottawa emphasizes that a purposeful meal, light exercise, and social interactions are the three key ways to undergo a “mind scrub”—preparing you to tackle the rest of your day.
Be mindful: as you enjoy a healthy lunch, turn off your tech and pick up a book instead, or head outside to soak up some sun and unwind. Take a mental break—you deserve it!
Get moving: a quick walk to pick up food, a stroll through the park after eating, or simply taking the stairs can all facilitate digestion and make you more comfortable for the afternoon. Says Dr. Pipe, when workers get exercise at lunch (even a short walk), they return with 41% increase in motivation and 21% increase in concentration.
Foster relationships: more than half of American adults eat lunch alone, but you don’t have to—meet a friend for lunch or gather colleagues at the break room table. Chat about your weekend plans, the new show you started watching, or anything not related to the office. Give yourself the chance to focus on something other than work, and your brain will thank you.
“Let There Be Lunch” Day at Freshii
Visit one of Freshii’s six Dallas locations on April 2nd for “Let There Be Lunch” Day. At the event, $1 from every meal will be donated to WE Well-being, an initiative of WE that empowers young people to promote their own positive well-being and the well-being of their communities.
Explore more of Freshii’s menu, philosophy, and locations at freshii.com.
