Workers skipping breakfast and lunch is costing the nation £16.85bn or almost 97m working days in lost productivity, according to a survey carried out by Ipsos Mori for BaxterStorey, while some ignore both breakfast and lunch.

The survey found that more than a third of office workers either never have breakfast or have it just one-three times a week, half of these never have breakfast in their working day.

It found that 372,500 people or 2.5% of workers do not have breakfast and lunch.

The research found that 92% of employees have lunch (usually sandwiches – 68%) but don’t drink enough during the day. Fluid intake levels are below what they should be for optimum health and performance, with only 11% having the recommended eight or more drinks during the working day. 

Alastair Storey, chief executive of BaxterStorey, says: “Given that as a nation our understanding of food and nutrition grows daily and that breakfast is considered so important, we’re shocked and surprised at these findings.

“While it is not BaxterStorey’s role to advise people when and what to eat, it is clear that the UK’s workers need a far greater understanding of the importance diet plays in their productivity.  What people eat – or don’t eat – and when - has a definite effect on productivity in the workplace and individuals need to ensure their food intake properly supports their working day.”