In recent years, food habits around the world have shifted significantly. In the UAE, this shift is becoming more visible than ever, especially among busy office workers. According to recent data from Deliveroo, UAE office workers choose salads over traditional lunch options more than ever before, signaling a major change in the country’s corporate dining culture.
This surprising yet positive trend reflects not only a growing health consciousness but also a transformation in lifestyle preferences among professionals working in the UAE’s bustling urban centers like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
A noticeable change in workplace lunch culture
For decades, lunch breaks in UAE offices have been filled with biryanis, shawarmas, heavy curries, and other rich, carb-loaded meals. These traditional dishes, while delicious, often left employees feeling sluggish and tired during the second half of their workday.
Deliveroo’s data suggests that this narrative is changing rapidly. The report, based on orders made during lunch hours across multiple corporate zones, shows a sharp rise in salad orders among office workers. Interestingly, these orders are not limited to simple green salads but also include creative, protein-packed options such as quinoa bowls, grilled chicken salads, poke bowls, and vegan-friendly mixed greens.
Why UAE office workers choose salads
There are many reasons why UAE office workers choose salads instead of traditional lunch options. Here are some key factors.
Focus on health and wellness
The global push towards healthier living has deeply influenced UAE residents. Many people are now more aware of the long-term impact of their diet on their productivity, mental well-being, and overall health. Office workers are prioritizing meals that provide sustained energy without the post-lunch crash. Salads, rich in nutrients and fiber, offer a perfect solution.
Growing fitness culture
With an increasing number of gyms, wellness centers, and fitness influencers promoting clean eating, it’s no surprise that more employees are making conscious food choices. Many workers are engaged in fitness challenges or simply aim to maintain a certain physique, and salads help them meet their daily goals.
Convenience and customization
Salad bars and modern salad-focused restaurants allow people to customize their meals exactly to their liking. From choosing the type of greens and proteins to adding toppings like seeds, nuts, and dressings, customization empowers employees to eat what they enjoy without compromising health.
Environmental and ethical considerations
A growing segment of UAE’s urban workforce is becoming more eco-conscious. Salads, especially plant-based ones, align better with environmental sustainability and ethical eating, leading more workers to opt for them over meat-heavy traditional dishes.
Insights from Deliveroo data
Deliveroo, one of the leading food delivery platforms in the UAE, analyzed orders placed during weekdays between 12 PM and 3 PM in major business districts. Some key findings include:
- Salad orders have grown by over 45 percent in the past year alone.
- Among salad options, grilled chicken Caesar salad and poke bowls are the most popular.
- Dubai’s financial district showed the highest concentration of salad orders, followed closely by media and technology hubs.
- The demand for vegetarian and vegan salads has doubled, reflecting the popularity of plant-based diets.
Corporate wellness programs fuel the trend
Another factor why UAE office workers choose salads is the increasing number of corporate wellness programs. Many companies now encourage healthier eating by subsidizing salad orders or offering wellness meal vouchers. Some offices have even partnered with local salad bars to provide fresh options daily.
These programs aim to improve employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, and create a more positive work environment. Healthier meals lead to sharper focus, fewer afternoon energy slumps, and overall happier employees.
Impact on local restaurants and food businesses
This shift in demand has pushed restaurants and cloud kitchens to innovate. Many eateries now have extensive salad menus alongside their regular offerings. Salad-specific brands and outlets have mushroomed across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offering not just traditional green salads but also international flavors like Japanese, Mediterranean, and Mexican-inspired bowls.
Some brands have even introduced subscription services for office workers, delivering fresh salads daily or weekly, thus ensuring they stick to their health goals without hassle.
Testimonials from UAE office workers
To understand this change better, Deliveroo also conducted surveys and interviews with frequent office customers. Here are a few interesting perspectives.
Aisha, Marketing Executive in Dubai:
“I used to feel sleepy after my heavy biryani lunches. Now, I order a chicken quinoa salad almost every day. I feel lighter and more energetic throughout the day.”
Omar, Finance Analyst in Abu Dhabi:
“Our office started a wellness challenge, and I switched to salads to stay on track. Surprisingly, I don’t miss my usual shawarma as much as I thought I would.”
Fatima, HR Manager in Sharjah:
“It’s amazing how creative salads have become. I never thought salads could be this satisfying.”
The role of technology in driving the salad trend
Technology, especially food delivery apps, plays a major role in why UAE office workers choose salads today. With just a few taps, professionals can access hundreds of salad options delivered straight to their desks. Apps like Deliveroo have user-friendly interfaces that allow employees to filter by healthy, low-calorie, vegan, and other tags, making healthier choices simpler and faster.
Additionally, detailed nutritional information available on these apps empowers workers to make informed decisions, something that was not easily possible when ordering traditional meals.
Future outlook: Will salads replace traditional lunches?
Although salads have become extremely popular, it doesn’t mean traditional UAE lunches will disappear anytime soon. Dishes like mandi, machboos, and shawarma are deeply ingrained in the UAE’s culinary identity and hold cultural significance.
However, the rise in salad consumption among office workers indicates a lasting shift toward balance. Many workers still enjoy traditional meals but reserve them for weekends or special occasions, choosing lighter meals during busy workdays.
Experts predict this trend will continue to grow as more young professionals join the workforce and companies invest further in employee wellness.
How offices can support healthy eating habits
If companies want to encourage this trend further, they can consider:
- Providing in-house salad bars or partnerships with local salad providers.
- Offering wellness meal subsidies or vouchers.
- Educating employees on nutrition through workshops and seminars.
- Organizing health-focused challenges to make healthy eating a fun team activity.
These initiatives not only promote better health but also enhance workplace morale and productivity.
Conclusion
The new data clearly shows a powerful shift: UAE office workers choose salads over traditional lunch options more than ever. This trend reflects a growing focus on health, fitness, and environmental consciousness. With companies and food providers adapting quickly, it’s likely that salads and other healthy meals will remain the preferred choice for many UAE professionals in the years to come.
So, the next time you see your colleague with a colorful poke bowl or a green salad, you’re witnessing a quiet revolution in the making — one that’s making UAE offices healthier, happier, and more productive than ever.
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