During a busy work week, it’s very easy to go for the tempting meatball sub over a packed lunch, even though it’s not very healthy and costs more. While ordering takeaway food, eating in cafes and restaurants or the work canteen can be convenient, bringing a packed lunch to work is far better for you in many ways.
Here are 6 reasons to convince you:
1. It’s more cost-effective
Constantly eating out will definitely but a strain on your wallet. One meal plus delivery could cost you the same as the ingredients for a week’s worth of packed lunches. Let’s break it down: a take-out meal could cost you around $10, money which could be spent on a loaf of bread, a variety of fillings, and variation of snacks to keep you fueled for the week. Packing a lunch can save you hundreds of dollars a year!
2. It’s eco-friendly
There’s a lot to be said about the food industry and the impact that it has on the environment. Buying ready meals or ordering a delivery every lunchtime can result in a huge amount of single-use plastic, from the sandwich wrappers, plastic cutlery, delivery bags, menus and leaflets, all of which ends up in landfills. Packing a lunch is far more sustainable for the environment, especially when using reusable containers or beeswax food wrap!
3. It’s healthier
Even if you order the “healthy option” on a menu, you never really know what’s in the food you’re eating. Sometimes the food labelled as “low-fat” isn’t actually slimming at all and many store-bought items are full of processed ingredients or full of chemicals to increase their shelf-life.
When you pack your own lunch, you know exactly what has gone into your food, exactly how many calories you’re eating and, most importantly, which nutrients you’re getting. And, if you grow your own vegetables at home, then you can be 100% certain the ingredients are fresh and organic. Plus, packing your own lunch gives you far more power over portion control!
4. It’s creative
Healthy doesn’t need to be boring! There are so many incredible recipes online for healthy, easy and tasty lunches that don’t break the bank. You can use the best and freshest seasonal fruits and vegetables and venture out of your comfort zone to cook new and exciting meals! Why not try some sushi, or healthy kebabs that you can prepare ahead of time and easily take with you to the office?
5. It saves time
Packing a lunch every morning can sound like a huge chore, but it doesn’t have to be! With a little forward planning, you can have all your lunches for the whole week. Spend a couple of hours on a Sunday evening, cook up some chicken breasts, slice and roast some vegetables and have everything ready to be assembled ahead of time!
6. It’s less wasteful
Food waste has a huge impact on the environment, with almost 1.3 billion tons of food ending up in landfills where it rots producing harmful methane gas. Instead of leaving your leftovers from dinner to sit in the fridge until you eventually throw them away, you can reduce food waste by bringing them to work!
Packing your own lunch is far better for you! It’s homemade, fresh and can save you money and time while also benefiting the environment. It’s a no-brainer!