Dr Ben Sinclair, Founder – Dr Finlay’s Private Practice
In today’s post-Pandemic climate, the long, boozy ‘Power Lunch’ is a thing of the past.
More of us are Working From Home. When we attend face-to-face business meetings, we want effective, quick, sociable events, not heavy lunches ruining the day’s productivity.
In 2026, Power Lunches have been replaced by early-evening drinks and other socialising, less impactful on our work. So, how can you optimise your nutrition, function and brain power?
Take a pre-prepared salad, some protein and an apple, which stimulates brain function through serotonin release and contains lots of vitamins and fibre, excellent for nutrition.
Avoid unhealthy fast-food snacks. Instead, plan ahead, batch-cook meals or cook double, then take leftovers into work. Or freeze portions for evening meals.
When flying, eat for the time zone you’re entering. The body adapts its circadian rhythms and sleep patterns to your destination.
Goodbye ‘Power Lunch’, Hello ‘Healthy Lunch’!
Making crunch afternoon business decisions? Then which foods are best for your brain?
Tip 1: Caffeine is a great brain stimulant. Two teas or coffees, early in your day, help increase your blood-flow and effectiveness.
Tip 2: Apples are proven to make people more wakeful than caffeine. Combine both for increased serotonin and a brain function boost.
Tip 3: Longer-term, target high-dosage, vitamin-C foods: broccoli, colourful fruits, oily fish, olive oil, avocados, antioxidants-rich dark chocolate, black tea, eggs and nuts.
Booze Can Be Bad For Business
Alcohol used to be ubiquitous for social lubrication in business, but today many of us avoid its negative effects, dulling our wits, weight-gain, and energy slumps.
Lunching out and on planes, you’ll usually be offered alcohol. The key is to pre-decide: ‘Am I drinking or am I not?’ – before a drink arrives.
People with high blood pressure, diabetes or heart problems may avoid alcohol altogether. Fancy one small drink? Bear in mind one easily leads to another as inhibitions loosen.
In meetings, alcohol is always a risk to clear-thinking. It may encourage us to take chances or not deliver the killer blow in negotiations. Nowadays it’s far more acceptable not to drink at all.
As many of us strive to improve our health, taking pre-decisions about what you are going to eat and drink will help support your goals.
Lunching Deskbound Is A Disaster
Rather than lunching out, some people eat a sandwich at their desk.
It’s proven this makes you more likely to gain weight and have poor health. It sends your brain the wrong signals. Eating slouched over a screen hinders digestion and is unhygienic.
Instead, get up, leave work and eat at a different venue so you switch to ‘rest-and-digest’ mode.
Visiting somewhere with greenery, fresh air and sunlight gives you a break. Start the second half of your day fresh.
Got a business and health-related question for Dr Ben?
Drop him a line on drben@businessinfluencer.co.uk