Grabbing a quick bite at your desk might feel efficient—but it’s one of the worst things you can do for your digestion. For nearly a third of office workers, lunch has become background noise: a salad shoved in between spreadsheets, or a sandwich demolished while firing off emails.
But according to stress expert Dr. Zoe Billings, this multitasking mealtime is sabotaging your gut. “When you’re stressed, your body reroutes blood away from your digestive system to your muscles—prepping for ‘fight or flight,’” she explains. That means your stomach gets fewer resources to break down food, leading to bloating, sluggishness, and indigestion.
And yes, eating at your desk qualifies as stress. Just one ping of an annoying email mid-bite can trigger the cortisol cascade, derailing digestion.
This rushed routine is especially common in the UK, where 82% of workers admit they don’t take a proper lunch break. In France, it’s practically a cultural crime—so much so that eating at your desk is dubbed “a British lunch” and is actively discouraged by law.
So, what’s the solution? Step away. Even 15 to 20 minutes of focused eating—without your phone, emails, or work chatter—can improve how you digest food, how full you feel, and how energized you are afterward.
“Look at your food, chew slowly, taste every bite,” says Dr. Billings. “You’ll be amazed how much better you feel.”
Slowing down at lunch isn’t lazy—it’s smart. It gives your gut the break it deserves, boosts nutrient absorption, and helps you avoid that dreaded afternoon slump.
Your gut (and your productivity) will thank you.
