By Lena Vasquez, Community Features & Culture Editor

A new survey shows more than half of working Americans admit they skip lunch on hectic days, with the average worker forgetting to eat two days out of the week. The trend is most common among remote workers, who are more likely to snack at their desks or push through the day without a proper break.

While skipping meals has become normalized in a fast-paced work culture, it points to a bigger issue: people not taking care of themselves. Running on coffee and snacks might feel productive in the moment, but steady meals and real downtime give the body energy and the mind a reset.

Just like regular exercise and getting a good night sleep, eating consistent healthy meals helps you maintain your focus, improves your mood, and generally sets you up for success.

And lunch isn’t just about eating. Stepping away from work provides a chance for social connection — whether it’s sharing a meal with coworkers, catching up with a friend, or even turning a casual lunch into a business meeting. The survey found that even when people do take time to eat, many multitask on phones or social media, missing out on the opportunity to actually recharge.

While it would be easy to blame a hovering boss for making workers forego their lunch, it’s interesting that those most likely to skip lunch are actually people that work at home, highlighting the fact that for many, the problem isn’t a matter of anyone stopping them from making healthy choices, except themselves.

If you’re one of the majority of working Americans skipping lunch, perhaps it’s time to consider a change and see how much better it makes you feel. You might find that stopping to have lunch makes you more productive too, making it a win win all the way around.