Walk into just about any office, and chances are, you’ll find a salad chilling in the fridge. Simple salads, meaty salads, loaded vegetarian salads — they’re all popular choices. In fact, over one in five people say they eat them regularly, many of them at work.
It’s easy to see how salads have become a staple of workplace lunch: they’re healthy, easy to pack, and light. Lunch salads for work are in, and they’re here to stay.
The top 5 salads for the workplace
There are salads for all taste buds, but some recipes are clear winners. According to ezCater’s order data, these five are the most frequently ordered lunch salads for work ordered through ezCater. If you’re blanking on what to get for the break room, consider these crowd-pleasing salad ideas for lunch at work.
1. Garden salad
This simple side dish pairs well with all kinds of mains and adds a refreshing touch to a meal. It’s typically made with lettuce (often iceberg), carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and endive tossed in a humble vinaigrette.
2. Caesar salad
Caesar salad is the perfect combination of crunchy romaine lettuce and croutons with a creamy, tangy dressing. Add grilled chicken, and you have a full meal.
3. Greek salad
Greek salad is all about fresh produce: garden-fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and sometimes lettuce. It’s often then topped with olives, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Cobb salad
Cobb salad is an American salad through and through. In popular recipes, it has layers upon layers of textures and flavors: chopped mixed greens, tomatoes, avocados, chives, eggs, bacon, turkey breast, and bleu cheese dressed in a red wine vinaigrette.
5. Southwest salad
Southwest salads are zesty and creamy. They can be made with chopped greens, corn, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, cilantro, cheese, and tortilla strips and coated in a sour cream-lime dressing.
Why lunch salads for work are so popular
Salads have dethroned many homemade meals as the go-to workplace meal. Maybe some decades ago — when plain (ahem, boring) salads tossed in simple vinaigrettes were the norm — it was hard to see how a humble bowl of greens could be hearty and filling. But not anymore. Salads have a lot going for them and have taken office lunches by storm.
They’re healthy
Probably the biggest reason why people gravitate towards salads is because they’re healthy. For starters, they’re rich in fiber, a carbohydrate that regulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels — yet 95% of people don’t get enough of it. They’re also packed with nutrients (such as vitamins A, B, C, and K, along with potassium, calcium, and phosphorus) that promote heart and neurological health. What’s more, a bowl of salad puts you closer to the USDA recommendation of 2 to 3 cups of vegetables per day.
They’re easy
Salads are one of the most convenient work lunches out there. They’re easy to order and distribute, as they’re usually served in an air-tight spill-proof container and don’t require any heating. They’ve even easy to eat on busy days in front of the computer.
They’re light
Foods high in simple carbs (like pasta and white bread) cause a spike in blood sugar. First, you feel a boost in energy, and then, you crash. That’s why you may feel sleepy after an Italian meal.
Salads don’t take you on a wild energy rollercoaster. The fiber (from the veggies), protein (from meat, eggs, and legumes) and healthy fats (from nuts, seeds, and dressings) keep you full and energized throughout the day.
5 reasons to jump on the workplace salad craze
The next time you’re in charge of ordering a catered lunch, consider serving salads. More and more workplaces are jumping on the plant-forward trend and reaping its benefits, so why not join them?
1. Boost creativity
British scientists found that people who eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables think more creatively. A simple salad at lunch could help your team problem-solve more efficiently and come up with unique winning ideas.
2. Increase wellbeing
Healthy foods (namely fruits and vegetables) make us happy, according to a comprehensive study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Offering salads for lunch could boost your team’s well-being and increase job satisfaction.
3. Promote productivity
Afternoons can be tough in the office once the post-lunch fatigue settles in. Serving salads instead of carb-heavy meals (like sandwiches) helps your team actually focus on work.
4. Cater to dietary restrictions
Salads are easy to customize and tailor to dietary restrictions. Feeding vegetarians in the office? Swap out the grilled chicken in a Caesar salad for oven-roasted chickpeas. Need a gluten-free lunch option? Then skip the croutons and pile on the veggies. Everyone can enjoy a wholesome meal and feel included.
5. Support healthy choices
Over 90% of people say they want to eat healthy at work, and many say they’d appreciate help from their employer in making more wholesome choices. Catering salad even just once a week would be a great start. Not only does it make employees feel more valued but it also gives them healthy lunch ideas for work they can prepare themselves at home.
Add some green to the office with hearty salads
Serving salads at work doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need an office kitchen, experience as a chef, or a knack for coming up with recipes. Just browse the ezCater website or app to see all the restaurants near you offering hearty and filling bowls of greens. Then decide if you want to share a massive salad with coworkers, set up a customizable salad bar, or offer individually boxed lunch salads. No matter which option you choose, ezCater makes the process a breeze.
