“What are you doing for lunch?” is the classic question that comes up between colleagues in millions of offices across the world. Whether it is peering over the cubicle wall to ask that famous question or a text message or an official instant communication mechanism, what to do for lunch is a big decision which has to be optimal between several competing criteria – type of food, cost, proximity, and time it takes to get back to the dreaded 1.00pm meeting.
Of course, there are a couple of other scenarios where this conversation is moot. The super busy executive eating a protein bar at her desk with no time to think of the flavors and the concept of savoring the food is way behind all the other competing priorities. Or the case of those fortunate souls where their workplace provides catered lunches for free. Or the others – those who pack at home and bring the same meal each day to avoid the dreaded question of, “What’s for lunch?”. We will come to this last group later on.
What are you doing for lunch daily routine:
The going out for lunch is not as simple as it sounds. Let’s run through a scenario of lunch planning at a typical office in Dallas, Tx.
First, who’s going? The “What are you doing for lunch?” missives go out starting at around 11.30am.
Tim may not be able to join as he has a meeting half past the hour. Rachel is trying her new one a day week starvation diet and is out today. And Jeremy’s session is running over. So, Ryan, Akash, Gina, Al, Michelle, and Ramon are the ones available to go out.
Next is where to go? Ryan is paleo. Akash is a vegetarian. Gina doesn’t like fast food and likes healthy. Michelle and Ramon are flexible. Sandwich place? Too boring. Mexican? Did that two days ago. Indian? Too heavy and probably good for a Friday cap off. Italian? Are there paleo options? Well, how about Greek? Yep. Yep. Yep. Yep.
Whose car to take? “I’ve got a spot to die for. I am not taking it out.” “My car has two car seats and not useful at all.” So, Gina and Akash’s cars it is.
Ordering: Well, the lamb takes too long to prepare and may not have enough time. The grape leaves were soggy the last time they ordered. It seems like Greek Salad, Chicken Gyros, Falafel, and Greek burger without the buns are the winners.
And so goes the planning and having lunch on a single day. If it sounds exhausting, it indeed is.
Don’t get us wrong. We are not against colleagues having lunch, and there are some positives. But the process on a daily basis can add to the already high stress most of us have.
For one, it takes time to plan, corral, and go out for lunch. Say an average of 75 minutes a day between planning, driving, eating/chatting, and heading back.
More importantly, eating out is generally expensive (if fast good is not on the list). Each lunch on average may cost about $15 with tip and does not account for any of the driving costs and parking fee. Assuming we all work about 220 days a year (rest of the days accounting for weekends, holidays, vacations), it can cost about $3300 a year. Imagine if you could save at least half of it toward a retirement nest egg or junior’s college fund.
The outside food is not always healthy. Portions are often large, and the drinks and sides can add up to the calorie count, and you may get more of some things (sodium or sugar for example) without asking.
According to a study by NCBI, (National Center for Biotechnology Information), the average full-service restaurant meal consists upwards of 1400 calories. That could be almost 60-70% of your daily calorie needs. (Most scientific studies suggest that on average, women’s calorie needs are between 1,600 and 2,400 calories each day; the range for men is 2,000 to 3,000. Of course, it all depends on height, weight, activity level, metabolism, and other factors.) You can estimate your calorie requirements by using NIH (National Institute of Health) body weight planner.
Plus, the time it takes each day. Last but not least, the decision fatigue is what makes the process less than an idea. (Experts define decision fatigue is the deterioration of our ability to make good decisions after a long session or many types of decision making.) The decisions about who, where, when, what, and how. Phew.
And thus far we haven’t even broached the subject of the loss of productivity as people stride in late or spend more than an hour in the daily lunch experience. While it is impossible to measure the productivity loss attributable to eating out alone, one can look at examples to understand the direct and indirect impact of daily going out for lunch habit.
Norway is known as the epitome of productivity. Culture, demographics, geography (an elongated country with long polar nights) and other factors have been responsible for making Norway one of the most productive nations. One contributory factor is Norway’s renowned (and also reviled) practice of packing lunch from home, the “Matpukke.” The Matpukke is boring (intentionally so it seems) and easy to prepare (thin slices of bread with some simple toppings) and takes the stress out of decision making and reduces the time it takes to eat lunch. (Ask any Norwegian and the Matpukke is both a source of national pride and ridicule.)
The productivity in United, given it is a large and diverse economy, is rather impressive at number six, but may seem we work longer hours and forego vacations rather than pack in more work tightly in a shorter work day.
It is a known factor that daily routines help boost productivity. And a daily routine of packed lunch – that is simple and easy enough so as not to lead to more decisions could be a small factor in helping your productivity.
Another aspect of a big and heavy lunch is the comatose feeling you get for the next two hours trying hard not to yawn or doze off in yet another boring meeting.
Of course, this is not to deny the benefits of going out with colleagues to have a meal. Some positive aspects are:
- Going out to lunch breaks the monotony of the cubicle walls and helps avoid looking at the screen.
- A little break to stretch your legs, get some fresh air and come back feeling rejuvenated.
- Lunch could be the time to chat with colleagues informally which may lead to better work outcomes.
- Bond with coworkers and build camaraderie which may pay dividends in boosting morale and fostering teamwork.
- And some days getting away from the pressure cooker is a release mechanism that is necessary.
Among the other alternatives, if your employer provides a variety of food options for free (think Google and many other Silicon Valley startups), then you are set. And not eating lunch is a question of what science you believe in and how do you feel on an empty stomach. There are conflicting studies about eating regular meals versus skipping/fasting intermittently.
So, what’s a way out?
It would seem like a good practice is to reduce the lunchtime rigmarole on a daily basis and instead pack something from home for at least four out of the five working days. Then make the lunch outing with colleagues a once a week affair – perhaps Friday to cap off the week and ease into the weekend.
Should you decide to make and pack your lunch, please follow these simple guidelines.
- Keep it simple if you are making it fresh
- Use leftover from dinner. Plan dinners in such a way to leave leftovers for lunch.
- Pack something that is easy to carry and retains its texture and flavor.
- Nothing that smells too much (it may be a pleasant odor for you but not others)
- Use a lot of items from the fridge and the pantry
- Pay attention to nutrition and calories
- Have a schedule or like the Norwegians create your version of Matpukke.
Happy lunching