Desfast Day is annually observed on April 12 to recognise the practise of eating breakfast at your workplace. The first meal of the day, be it a sandwich, a breakfast smoothie, or cereal, is your body’s very first source of nourishment after waking up; coffee does not qualify! And in the era of the modern worker, eating at your workstation is a common occurrence in offices around the globe. Deskfast Day, which is a combination of the words ‘desk’ and ‘breakfast’ if you didn’t already know, is the ideal occasion to celebrate this modern trend.
The background of Deskfast Day
Since the beginning of time, people have consumed a supper in the morning. And we’re not just saying that; there’s evidence to support our claim. Several ancient cultures relate stories of early meals eaten before the sun rose. Roman soldiers would consume a porridge known as pulmentus. Before going to work, ancient Egyptian labourers would consume soup, bread, onions, and other foods. Greek literature, such as the “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” mentions that the Greeks frequently consumed a supper called “Ariston” immediately after sunrise.
During the Middle Ages, the situation was somewhat different, particularly in Europe and other Western regions. The concept of having a meal soon after waking up was ridiculed and unpopular. There was a two-meal system in effect, with lunch and dinner. This would shortly vary by period and region, but early meals were uncommon at the time. Only the sick, elderly, very young, and impoverished working class were served breakfast.
Eventually, by the 15th century, eating breakfast became popular among all social strata. Even at this time, Europeans consumed meat, and nobles indulged in lavish, lengthy feasts. In the 16th century, breakfast was included in the household budget, and beverages such as tea and coffee became standard breakfast accompaniments. During this time period, claims that breakfast was the most important meal of the day increased, and numerous politicians and leaders publicly stated their preference for consuming a healthy and substantial breakfast.
The Industrial Revolution entirely altered how the world perceived breakfasts. As the 9-to-5 workday acquired prominence, so did the way people eat breakfast. Workers would arrive at work early, perform their duties for a while, and then eat around 10 a.m., served by their wives or kitchen employees. Not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the globe, breakfast was now more prevalent.
The eventual backlash against the lavish breakfast of the 19th century led to decades of experimentation and innovation, which produced breakfast cereals, muesli, and other still-popular breakfast items. As the variety of breakfast dishes grew, so did the amount of time people spent enjoying this early meal. This is how the trend of having breakfast at the office desk originated.
This trend is frequently attributed to the 2007-2008 financial crisis. People began arriving at the office earlier and earlier as the economy shifted, reducing their time for meals. As they were unable to consume at home, numerous employees ate a wrap, bagel, fruit, yogurt, etc. before logging onto their computers and beginning work. Thus, the “deskbreak” was established.
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DESKFAST DAY ACTIVITIES
Enjoy breakfast at your workstation
If you have a desk position in an office, you should consider bringing your breakfast with you. Grab a banana, create a small breakfast smoothie, or purchase a yoghurt cup. Whatever your preference, ensure that you consume brunch at your desk today.
Engage your fellow employees.
Why dine alone when you can invite your coworkers to a small breakfast celebration? This can even be a group activity to get you in the spirit for work before the workday begins.
Have a ‘deskfast’ luncheon
Instead of purchasing breakfast for only yourself, consider nourishing multiple individuals. Request that your breakfast group bring a dish of their choosing, and add your own dish to the blend.
5 FACTS ABOUT BREAKFAST THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
The word ‘dinner’ is derived from the Latin ‘disjejunare,’ which means ‘break the fast’ — which is likely why breakfast was once referred to as ‘dinner’ — until the middle of the thirteenth century.
Kellogg’s was initially developed here, and a few years later, Charles W. Post created Grape-nuts.
Traditionally, the majority of Russian breakfast dishes, such as blini and oladyi pancakes, contained red or black caviar.
The British of the nineteenth century referred to all of mainland Europe as “the continent” and their regional brunches as “continental breakfasts.”
The late Middle Ages likely gave rise to the term breakfast, which originally meant to “break the night’s fast.”
DESKFAST DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | April 12 | Wednesday |
2024 | April 12 | Friday |
2025 | April 12 | Saturday |
2026 | April 12 | Sunday |
2027 | April 12 | Monday |