76% of lunch skippers are too busy to eat

A recent Australian survey has found 41% of respondents skip lunch at least once a week, with 76% of them claiming they are just too busy to eat.

Food company Pitango, which markets a range of soups and meal pots, partnered with Dietitian and Nutritionist Courtney Bates to convince Aussie workers of the importance of lunch. Bates said: “By the time 12 pm comes around your blood sugar levels will be beginning to drop, particularly if you’ve eaten an early breakfast. This can leave you feeling increasingly tired and lacking focus.”

Over 40% of those surveyed said they would prefer their daily desk lunch to be healthy but easy, with more than a third wishing they had a convenient option that tastes homemade. Almost 70% of people admitted they purchase lunch one or more times a week, claiming they have no time to prepare complicated and time-consuming meals at home.

“People actually love to eat healthy, because they feel good. It is just time-consuming to prepare all your lunches at home, which is why people tend to fall back on quick, convenient, unhealthy options,” continued Courtney, identifying an opportunity for brands that can offer healthy, home-style cooked, convenient options for workday lunches for the 76% of people interviewed who admitted eating lunch at their desk.