How Often Do You Bring Lunch to Work?

July 16, 2008

Many restauranteurs are reporting a decrease in lunch-time traffic, and say that customers are bringing their lunch to the office more often or selecting $5 Subway over a more expensive deli sandwich.

Workers opting to bring their lunch usually spend a fraction of what they would eating out. How often do you bring a bagged lunch?

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55 Comments

akprincess72 4 years 32 weeks

I'm on the weight watchers program & I find that bringing my lunch takes a lot of the 'oops' factor out of eating healthy. I packed it, so I know it is okay. That being said, you have to be reasonable. Bring stuff that has little if any prep time & don't bring just an apple or something. Food is fuel, eat enough to get you through the day without crashing into the danishes at 3pm.

MamaK313 4 years 32 weeks

I work at an elementary school. I always bring my lunch-lol. I'm sure you can remember why. :-)

psterling 4 years 33 weeks

I used to work at a start-up where going to to eat was the rule, not the exception. Not only was I broke, but I gained weight too. Now I'm glad to work at a company where there's a good balance. Most people bring lunches but we do go out on occasion. Its better all-around.

joy76 4 years 37 weeks

I sometimes bring in left overs from dinner of the previous night, but most of the time I do some food shopping and make sandwiches et al at work just like making it from home but without the hassle of waking up early to do it. Thank goodness for a fridge and in the office. So much cheaper I must say, and also healthier. Possibly, besides exercise and dieting, the reason I have managed to keep the weight off.

sharshar 4 years 43 weeks

I make it a point to bring lunches at least once or twice a week--it could be rice and some meat and veggies, or pasta and bread. Sandwiches, too.

jennjennnbubba 4 years 44 weeks

this is something I totally need to work on... I never bring lunch unless its really good leftovers and even then I forget to carry along with me most of the time

TheConsciousSnob 4 years 44 weeks

I bring lunch every day. We have a fridge and microwave, so it's super easy and I love how much money I save and I eat much more healthy than purchasing something outside.

ayuninur 4 years 44 weeks

everyday

Ana_belle03 4 years 44 weeks

I bring mine 4 out of 5 days. It makes Friday extra special to go out. I just feel better about myself if I'm making my lunch. It's healthier and cheaper. But I do love to eat out b/c it gets me out of the office!

Stupidasscat 4 years 44 weeks

I get to buy my lunch on Fridays as a treat to myself.

sfbutterfly24 4 years 44 weeks

So I work in a hotel so we have a cafeteria that serves 2 hot entrees every day or you can order burger/hot dog and fries if you want. It also has a salad and cereal bar BUT sometimes the food sucks and after working here for almost 5 years you get bored. So with my friend in the pastry dept. we bring in food about 3 days a week that we can make a new and exciting meal with.

uptown_girl 4 years 44 weeks

I literally cannot remember the last time I spent money on lunch while at work. I bring ALMOST every day. The only days I don't bring is the 1 day a week the client has it ordered in. So I usually get 1 restaurant meal a week, but I don't have to pay for it! YIPEEEE!

nancita 4 years 44 weeks

I bring my lunch every day and I can't believe how much money it saves. It's also much healthier because I always know what I'm eating. I'd rather splurge on a nice dinner out than waste the money/calories on a midday work meal. Though I must say, my midday work meals are tasty!

creamytofu 4 years 44 weeks

Bringing in your lunch everyday can add up big time for you wallet. It can go towards fancy dinners, bags, shoes, and more bags. lol

imcs 4 years 44 weeks

I really prefer a home-made sandwich any day over restaurant food. But that's just me. I work at a small office, so I TRY to make it out to lunch with my co-workers once a week or at least once every two weeks. It's always good to get out of the office anyway :-)

amyerin 4 years 44 weeks

jls thanks for the suggestion! I went to that site and am addicted and inspired by everything! I bring lunch about 3-4 days a week and definitely see eating out for lunch as a treat and a good way to escape the office. Also I eat out a lot at night with my friends or bf so try and save money by bringing a lunch Most of the time it's leftovers but I also like rolling a bunch of stuff up in a whole wheat tortilla and adding fruits and veggies as side dishes. I also grab bags of stuff (like pretzels or baby carrots) and cartons of yogurt or cottage cheese at trader joes and keep it in my office fridge.. makes for healthy snacks... but lets face it- also have a candy bowl on my desk I peruse all day long!

getpink 4 years 44 weeks

I am so lucky at work we have a cook that makes the whole office lunch every day. But I would bring my lunch if things were different.

lizs 4 years 44 weeks

I'm a vegetarian and I carpool to work, so I either have to bring my lunch or try to coax something edible out of one of the many nearby options (hospital cafeteria, vending machine, burger king). I manage to get together with friends a few times a month for lunch, but we usually cheap out and just get coffee to go with the food we've brought from home!

geebers 4 years 44 weeks

Everyday - we havea fridge and microwave here AND utensils. So I usually buy a loaf of bread, avocados, tomatos, cucumber and cheddar cheese (sometimes I have a dressing to add) on Monday and make a sandwich everyday that week. I vary my sandwiches. I dont get sick of them but if I am not working all 5 days that week - Ill bring in lunches from home (veggie burgers, pasta). I save SO much $$

tiff58 4 years 44 weeks

I do nearly every day, and eat in the cafeteria maybe once a month. To get a sandwich and fries in our cafeteria costs about $8.00, and that's with no drink.

j2e1n9 4 years 44 weeks

Every single day

jls6fq 4 years 44 weeks

For good lunch ideas, see the Laptop Lunches Flickr group. I got some great ideas here for bringing my lunches. http://www.flickr.com/groups/laptop_lunches/pool/

valancyjane 4 years 44 weeks

I chose "at least once a week" because it varies so much. Lately I've been bringing lunch (or eating at home) 2-3 times a week, but there are some weeks when it's so hectic that a) I don't have a lot of time to prepare a lunch; and b) I just need to get out of the office. There isn't a lunchroom or anything so if I bring lunch I have to eat at my desk, and after a while that gets really stifling.

dcfashionista 4 years 44 weeks

I normally bring my lunch in 4 days per week and treat myself on Fridays. I will bring in leftovers if I cook but if I have to buy my lunch all week I will eat something under $5.00 daily.

bigestivediscuit 4 years 44 weeks

My co-worker (probably my go-to work friend!) and I buy sandwich making materials at the beginning of the week together, splitting the cost, and make sandwiches in the kitchen for lunch. It means I spend a total of £3 for an entire week for lunch and have more money to spend on either other meals or elsewhere. Of course, we take weeks "off" when we're bored of sandwiches, but I must say they are pretty tasty and a cost-effective way of lunching! When I do buy my lunch, I like to go for the "meal deals" at places like Boots, where you can choose a main (sandwich, sushi, wraps, salads, etc.), one snack (a slice of cake, chips, etc.) or a drink for £3.95. But even that's expensive if you do it every day! Sometimes I do just want a really nice hot and hearty lunch though, so I'll go out and get something, but we also have a terrific canteen in the office that makes amazing food like lamb moussaka, etc. for lunch at a subsidized price.

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