The humble packed lunch might save you hundreds of pounds a year, but it could also cost you your health according to a new report. Here’s how to keep it healthy…

Once upon a time, bringing a lunch box full and thermos flask to the office would have been caused ridicule from your colleagues, but packed lunches are the only option for many people these days. The number of people taking lunch breaks “al desko” is rising due to increased working hours, so the practise of ‘packing up’ is becoming the norm in many households.

The latest research shows that UK office workers are still working way beyond their statutory hours each week, with many people working through their lunch break. This means that thousands of stressed executives are munching on home-made sarnies while tapping away at their keyboards, which isn’t very good for one’s health.

But it’s not just the mental health of employees that’s cause for concern – a recent poll by Carex (makers of antibacterial hand-cleanser), found that only 7% of workers cleared up after eating at their desks, meaning they’re at risk of food poisoning every time they eat lunch. “A chicken sandwich could contain tens of thousands of harmful bacteria if left out,” said Vikki Brunning of Carex.

But these are tough economic times and, as bringing your own lunch into the office could save over £2,500 a year, the benefits outweigh the risks for many people.

To help you get started, here are our 5 top tips on packed lunch etiquette:

1. Leave the smelly food at home! Spare a thought for your co-workers and leave the pungent food at home. Fish might be nutritious but not everyone enjoys the smell of smoked mackerel or tuna. Fillings like cheese or chicken salad are unlikely to offend.
2. Keep it keyboard friendly. Last night’s leftover spaghetti might seem like a great idea for lunch but is it practical to eat at your desk? Messy foods are likely to get spilt between the keys of your keyboard where bacteria grow. Opt for easy to eat foods like sandwiches and pasties and always use a plate. Better still, use the canteen or break-out areas if they exist in your office – it’s good to get away from your desk.
3. Don’t speak with your mouth full. However tempting, don’t answer the phone mid-sandwich – it could be an important client or customer and there’s no disguising a mouthful of bread. Similarly, don’t chat away to colleagues who might not be on their lunch breaks – respect their decision to work and spend time reading the paper or browsing the internet instead.
4. Keep it clean! Germs love keyboards and telephone handsets, so make sure you always wipe down your surfaces before and after eating. Dispose of rubbish considerately and don’t use the office bin for smelly banana skins or dripping juice bottles. Put your rubbish away in the kitchenette or canteen bin and make sure you give your containers a quick rinse or wash up too – it’s not the cleaner’s job to tidy up after you.
5. Practise good manners. You shouldn’t need reminding that eating in public requires a few basic good manners. Keep your mouth closed while eating and try to keep crunching to a minimum if the office is quiet. No slurping drinks, scraping plates and please don’t pick your teeth at your desk afterwards!

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