In the hustle and bustle that so many of us engage in on a near-constant basis, it can be easy to try to cram in a few more minutes of productivity by eating while you’re working or even skipping out on lunch altogether. Is that really the best way to operate though? Is eating lunch really all that important?
Giving Yourself a Chance to Refuel
You know that mid-afternoon slump that seems to hit with stunning regularity? You might be able to avoid it, or at least mitigate it with a good, healthy lunch. A nutritious lunch that features healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, quality protein, and a healthy helping of fiber can help you regulate your blood sugar and give you the energy you need to power through the afternoon.
Taking a Mental Break
Okay, so you have your nutritious lunch ready to go. You can just eat it while you work, right? Well, technically, yes, you could, but should you? Probably not. People tend to do better when they have a chance to take a break from trying to be productive all the time. Do yourself a favor and actually stop what you’re doing and focus on eating your food. Savor the flavors and textures in your meal. Then go back to working. You might be surprised by how much more productive you’re able to be after that mental break.
Doing It Right
If you want to get all the benefits of eating lunch, you need to do it right. Part of that is the quality of your lunch, and part of it is how you go about eating it. That nutritious, balanced lunch may not sit as well if you’re trying to scarf it while you’re on the run. Your body needs to direct your blood flow to your digestive system in order for you to digest your meal properly. If you’re eating on the go, there’s a good chance that your blood flow is being directed to muscles in your arms and legs instead. That’s going to make digestion more difficult and could lead to symptoms of indigestion. Definitely not what you’re going for here. Combining a quality, nutritious meal with mindful eating is hands down the better way to go.
As it turns out, lunch could be the most important meal of the day (sorry, breakfast). At least, it can be if you do it right. You owe it to yourself to take good care of yourself, and that means taking the time to fuel yourself properly for the rest of your day. There’s no better time for that than lunch.
Ready for some healthy, fresh food for lunch? Check out our hours so you can join us for a quality meal right next to the Temple Square gardens.
