I saw this article about Italy proposing a ban on lunch breaks and couldn’t help but be saddened at the prospect for a multitude of reasons.

One of the things I love most about the European outlook on life is just how relaxed it is compared to the rat-race in which we live here in the States.

I love how meals in so many European countries are such a momentous occasion; pleasure is derived from food and the overall dining experience is to be treasured, something lost on our “grab and go” culture here.

Across the pond, a meal is meant to be savored; not rushed. (And let me tell you, I’ve savored some mighty delish meals in Greece, Spain and Italy in particular)!

Personally, I know lunches I eat at my desk while plowing through work are barely registered in my brain  … whereas if I am dining out (or am anywhere but at my desk) I enjoy it much more and find myself with less an urge to snack later on.

A change of scenery–even for just a few minutes — can be a real life-saver. If we banned lunch breaks here, I think I’d croak — no joke.

While I can see the value in maybe not indulging in a three or four course meal every day, I’m with the nutritionist in the article — I think advocating skipping lunch is equally harmful. Without adequate nourishment, employees with suffer a lack of energy, lose focus, and perform worse than if they’d been given a little time to eat.

And if productivity and your company’s bottom line are two key indicators of success, well, the Italians won’t be too happy with the results. I say, let them eat!

Did anyone else see this article? What do you think about it?