Salad bar at a cafeteria. Credit: Aramark.

A survey by the American Heart Association and US-based foodservice company Aramark has revealed that 56% of employed Americans struggle to eat a healthy lunch during work hours.

According to the survey, more than three-quarters of workers said that they are likely to make healthier decisions at other times of the day in case they eat healthy at lunch.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The Harris Poll conducted the survey online on behalf of the American Heart Association and Aramark, as part of their ‘Healthy for Life 20 By 20’ initiative, among 1,062 employed US adults aged 18 or older. Of these, 907 said they typically eat lunch during work hours.

The survey found that nine in ten employees are keen on improving the healthfulness of their typical workday lunch with employees under 40 more likely to be interested compared to employees aged 40 and over.

Around 82% of employees said that having healthy food options at work is important and more than 68% value the help from the employer in becoming healthier.

As well as this 79% of employees whose workplace has a cafeteria, food service or vending machines will opt to get there lunch from there.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Nearly 86% prepare work lunches at home some of the time, with 91% of women doing this and 82% of men choosing to meal prep for their lunch.

The survey also found that employees under 40 are more likely to be hit by an unhealthy lunch at least a little bit by cost and choices of their peers or co-workers than employees aged 40 and over.

Around 35% say that their lunch is less healthy on a stressful day at work, with 40% women saying this and 32% of men.

The survey said that 43% of employees who eat lunch during work hour say limited availability of healthy foods as having an impact on eating an unhealthy lunch, of which 60% say convenience and 54% taste preference as having an impact on choosing an unhealthy lunch.