Alberta Premier Ralph Klein does it about four times a week. Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith enjoys it on a regular basis. And it's become a hard-to-break habit for executive Beth Kidd.
Like a growing number of Canadian office workers, these Albertans regularly eat lunch at their desks.
"A lot of it is to do with the changing dynamics in the workplace, there's a lot of pressure to keep up," says Kidd, who usually forgoes a lunch break to wolf down heated-up leftovers in her office.
According to a poll by career Web site Vault.com, one in four workers skip their lunch breaks daily and quickly eat a sandwich or snack at their desks.
Walk into any office around midday and you'll find workers noshing at their computers on a variety of foods -- reheated pasta, meatloaf from the previous night, a BLT sandwich from a local eatery or a fast food meal.
Kidd, director of communications for The Arthritis Society in Calgary, says it suits her work style to keep going.
Balancing home and work
"If I stop to run errands or eat out, it breaks my concentration. Often I eat my breakfast here too -- usually a yogurt and muffin -- to get an early start."
Although her employer encourages people to leave the building for fresh air or even a workout, she's noticed more and more colleagues work straight through the noon hour.
Balancing home and work life is a major factor in the disappearing lunch hour.
Many workers prefer to stay on the job so that they can leave on time at the end of the day. With hungry families to rush home to and a full calender of kids' after-school activities, a lunch break is a luxury that few working moms and dads can afford.
Downsizing also means that many employees feel under pressure to work harder than ever, although health experts say taking a breather is good for you.
"If you want to eat at your desk, still take at least 15 minutes to go for a brisk walk around the block just to get your circulation going," says Leslie Beck, a Toronto nutritionist and author of several books on smart eating.
"Even small bouts of exercise, done a few times a day, help people maintain their health and weight," says Beck.
A sandwich is the best choice for lunch at the office, says Beck, whose latest title is Leslie Beck's Nutrition Encyclopedia (Prentice Hall).
"Whether you're buying takeout or bringing from home, a sandwich is great because you can control everything that goes between those two slices of bread.
"Get extra veggies, lean meat or chicken, choose mustard instead of butter. It's ideal," she says.
Soup and a sandwich is the desktop lunch of choice for Edmonton's mayor.
"I attend a lot of luncheons and evening banquets, so I enjoy keeping it simple a couple of times a week," says Smith. He also keeps instant noodles in the office.
Alberta's premier is also partial to a sandwich.
"When the legislature is in session, Mr. Klein eats lunch at his desk Monday to Thursday, spending Friday in his constituency," says media relations coordinator Marisa Etmanski.
Klein visits the legislature cafeteria, emerging with a tuna or grilled-cheese sandwich.
However, when cravings hit, Klein will pick up a hamburger and eat it as his desk, Etmanski says.
-- With files from Ajay Bhardwaj
