The Dos and Don’ts of lunching in a shared workspace

The Dos and Don’ts of lunching in a shared workspace.

Sometimes it’s not possible to pop out to the nearest café, bistro or sandwich shop for lunch. There are deadlines to meet, meetings that overrun, work to wade through...This means that we have to have lunch at work. ‘Al Desko’, so they say. Let us give you a few Dos and Don’ts when it comes to midday munching.

Waste not, want not.

Don’t underestimate the power of leftovers. What you couldn’t eat for dinner last night might make a perfect lunch for today. Spag bol, roast chicken, pesto pasta, lasagne… And you can’t deny that some things taste so much better the next day, like pizza!

Oh my cod!

We all know just how healthy fish is. Packed with Omega 3, rich in calcium, bouncing with minerals blah blah blah. But, holy moly, does it stink the office out. There’s nothing quite like the pungent odour of microwaved fish as it drifts out of the kitchen and into everyone’s nostrils. And then it hangs there, in the air, like a fishy fog. So unless you want to be voted worst colleague ever, leave fish at home.

Don’t go nuts.

Loads of people have nut allergies nowadays. They range from mild irritation, to much more serious reactions. Sometimes even fatal! Nuts are not something you should assume everyone in the office will be ok with. So play it safe – and keep your walnuts away from work.

Boost your brain.

Your lunch is the perfect way to set yourself up for an afternoon of work. So make sure you pack it full of good things. Food like blueberries, spinach, pumpkinseeds, broccoli, kiwi fruit and oranges are great for your focus, energy, brain power and overall health. Did someone say blueberry, spinach and kiwi salad? Yum.

Tidy as you go.

You’ll no doubt be making your office lunch in a communal kitchen. And this means one thing: be tidy! Whatever your habits are like at home, make an extra special effort not to leave the kitchen looking like the aftermath of a missile strike. Wipe up your wasabi. Pick up your pasta. Clean up your couscous.

Share the love.

Made a wonderful big frittata for your office lunch? Then why not bring the whole thing in and share it out? Not only is it a kind thing to do, but it gives you the opportunity to show off your cooking skills.

Chill out.

We’ve all heard horror stories of people finding three-year-old cottage cheese festering in the office fridge. Don’t let that be you! Keep on top of what you have in there – and throw it out if it’s on the turn, or you’re about to be out the office for a long time.