PLYMOUTH, Wis. — We've all been there – the hurried soup from a can, the "blah" salad. Somewhere along the line, we traded real lunches for 300-email hit-and-run eating. According to a survey by Right Management, only a third of American workers say they take a lunch break. Another third of respondents admit to spending lunch at their desks.[1]
"We all know hectic schedules and the demands of our daily lives can be overwhelming. Lunch has become an 'on-the-go' chore," said lifestyle expert and former editor Martha McCully. "It's hard to make adjustments to an already packed schedule, but dedicating time for a real lunch break is a great first step towards finding a bit of balance every day."
McCully has teamed up with Sargento to encourage Americans to take back their lunch hour to refuel their minds and bodies with natural, fresh-tasting ingredients. To distance people from their desk chairs, McCully suggests three simple ways to take a real lunch:
- Get back to nature, literally. There's no easier way to commit to lunch than by actually removing yourself from your work. Put an end to staring longingly out the window and actually take a step outside for real interaction with nature. Bring your meal to a local park or visit a fruit stand in the area for some face-to-face time with fresh air.
- Eat real food. Your body and brain need nutrition. Buy fresh ingredients at the Farmer's Market or local grocery to customize your sandwich every day. Upgrade to juicy heirloom tomatoes, crisp romaine lettuce, real Sargento Natural Sliced Cheese, and freshly-baked whole grain bread. Swapping out bland options for real foods in your mid-day meal is a great way to savor the flavors of a life well-lived.
- Exercise your options. Yes, we've all heard you should join a gym and work out at lunch. But how realistic is this? Not very. However, your office or gym may offer half-hour yoga or stretch classes. Stop day dreaming about a better-for-you lunch hour and do it! Take a real opportunity to get the blood flowing and recharge for the day ahead.
Sargento is the perfect accompaniment to lunch through its delicious line of natural sliced cheeses. Cut from real block cheese, Sargento Natural Sliced Cheeses add fresh-tasting flavors to hand-crafted sandwiches. With over 30 varieties, Sargento Natural Sliced Cheeses offer a wide range of options, from mild flavors like Colby Jack and Muenster to more flavorful offerings like Swiss, Sharp Cheddar and Pepper Jack.
"The 'Take a Real Lunch' program is a call to Americans to make lunchtime the centerpiece of their day – each day," said Stephanie Meyer, marketing manager at Sargento. "Bring a book or grab a friend and enjoy lunch as it was intended to be; it's time to take a real lunch."
For more information on Sargento products and to locate a store that carries Sargento Sliced Cheese varieties, visit http://www.sargento.com/.
About Sargento Foods Inc.
Sargento Foods Inc. has demonstrated its passion for cheese and cheese-based meal solutions throughout its history. Founded in 1953 in Plymouth, Wis., Sargento is a leading manufacturer, packager and marketer of natural shredded, sliced and snack cheeses, cheese appetizers, ingredients, sauces and other culinary solutions. Sargento is owned and operated by the Gentine family, and has net sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, please visit www.sargento.com.
[1] "One-Third of Employees Lunch at Their Desk," last modified August 30, 2011, http://www.right.com/news-and-events/press-releases/2011-press-releases/item21650.aspx.
Source: Sargento Foods Inc.
