New research shows that packed lunches are once more the preferred choice of British workers, with almost half opting to make sandwiches for work.

A new study of office workers has revealed that as many as 48 per cent of working Britons have stopped buying shop-bought foods and are, instead, enjoying classic British packed lunches.

The classic egg salad (33%) tops the list of favourite sandwiches at lunchtime, followed by ham salad (30%) or chicken mayonnaise (30%). An interesting extra snippet of information from the study is that hunger pangs start early, with the average lunch being enjoyed at a rather precise 12:18 p.m.

The data also provides an excellent insight into the mood of the nation. As many as 49 per cent of those who pack a lunch stated they are doing so to be more frugal and save the much-needed pennies. Bringing a packed lunch instead of nipping out at lunchtime is helping working Brits save an impressive £80 a month on average, which equates to a not-so-inconsiderable £960 per year.

The research was commissioned by British Lion Eggs and revealed that in addition to saving money, other reasons Brits are packing their own lunches are to cut back on calories (35%) and reduce their intake of ultra-processed foods (30%).

Fifty-six per cent of those polled agree that nothing beats a classic homemade sandwich for lunch, with tuna and mayo a popular choice (28%) and ham and cheese (26%). According to the 2,000 people who took part in the survey, bananas (54%), apples (51%), and grapes (34%) are the most popular fruits to add to your Tupperware or lunch box.

When it comes to crisps, working Britons are snubbing modern flavours for classic cheese and onion (39%), ready salted (34%), and salt and vinegar (28%) to pop in their lunch box. Yet the survey shows that 59 per cent often get bored with their packed lunches, with three in ten looking for more inspiration.

Forty-eight per cent would like to vary their packed lunches by trying out different fillings – and 46 per cent try experimenting with pittas and wraps instead of always sticking to bread. Adding more protein to their lunches (39%) is also high on the agenda for Brits bringing in their food to eat from home. And when it comes to what’s been cut from the budget of working Brits up and down the country, the number one items are shop-bought sandwiches and paninis (57%).

Meanwhile, almost half (45%) are cutting out cafe-bought coffee and hot drinks and opting to bring flasks from home.

Plenty of Britons are also saying no to traditional office treats like shop-bought pastries (38%), take-out wraps (37%), takeaway burgers (36%), and fruit salads from the shop (30%).

Mark Williams from British Lion Eggs, which commissioned the research, said, “This research indicates a real resurgence in the classic packed lunch for Brits working from the office, with saving money and eating healthily high on the agenda for people, especially after the summer holidays. Cost-effective, high in protein and packed with vitamins and minerals, a return to a classic packed lunch option of an egg sandwich is an easy way to fuel up well, but frugally.”

Regarding the preferred methods for transporting lunches from home to work, the most popular methods are classic Tupperware (57%) and sandwich bags (38%), while over a third (35%) use a proper lunchbox.

Over three quarters (77%) of the Britons polled admit they’ve ended up ravenous and chowed down their lunch early, with 16 per cent confessing it’s become a regular bad habit. The research also indicates that few working Brits take a full hour for lunch, only taking a break for 35 minutes on average.

The Ten Most Popular Packed Lunch Sandwich Choices

  • Egg salad 33%
  • Ham salad 30%
  • Chicken mayonnaise 30%
  • Tuna mayonnaise 28%
  • Ham and cheese 26%
  • Cheese and pickle 20%
  • Cheese and tomato 19%
  • Tuna and sweetcorn 16%
  • BLT 12%
  • Cheese and egg 11%

Perspectus Global conducted the British Lion Eggs packed lunch research in July 2024, polling the opinions of 2,000 Brits.