Healthy eating is changing at work.
Healthy eating in 2026 is less about restriction and more about meals that feel satisfying, energizing, and realistic for a busy day.
DoorDash data shows orders of protein shakes grew 93% year over year, alongside rising demand for grain bowls, salads, and smoothies built around whole ingredients and strong nutritional building blocks.
For employers, that shift turns meal programs into a flexible wellness tool, supporting long-term health goals like steady energy and focus, without adding another vendor or standalone initiative.
Meet the local “Healthy Eats” powering workdays
The 26 Healthy Eats for 2026 list features small and medium-sized restaurants with top customer ratings that make wholesome eating both convenient and craveable.
Within that group, several shine for workplace orders, including Farmside Kitchen, Green District Salads, Agape Pitas Salads & Bowls, FUELD Stir Fry and Salads, and Lanas Healthy Bistro & Juice Bar, offering exactly the kinds of meals employees look for between meetings.
The Top 5 “Healthy Eats” Restaurants for Workplace Orders
Farmside Kitchen (Raleigh, NC) – Farm-inspired grain bowls and hearty salads that put crisp veggies, grains, and clean proteins at the center of the plate, ideal for employees who want something filling but not heavy.
Green District Salads (Cincinnati, OH) – Big, bold salads and grain bowls piled high with crunchy veggies, premium proteins, and house-made dressings.
Agape Pitas Salads & Bowls (Columbus, OH) – Mediterranean pitas, salads, and bowls built around lean proteins and bright vegetables, well suited for heart-healthy or macro-conscious eating styles.
FUELD Stir Fry and Salads (East Lansing, MI) – Customizable stir-fries and salads that let employees add extra vegetables or protein depending on their own wellness goals.
Lanas Healthy Bistro & Juice Bar (San Juan, PR): Fresh juices, power bowls, and light plates that bring a tropical twist to clean eating, perfect for lighter wellness events or afternoon resets.
Because DoorDash for Business partners with over 500,000 local and national merchants, companies can offer health-forward options at offices in both major cities and small towns.
Check out the full 26 Healthy Eats for 2026 report to see the trends are shaping healthy eating.
Turning local favorites into a flexible wellness benefit
These local restaurants can become the backbone of a more flexible, wellness-friendly meal benefit. Instead of managing separate vendors or rigid menus, admins can curate a “Healthy Eats” lineup in the DoorDash for Business platform and let employees order what works for them within clear, configurable budget and policy guardrails.
Companies can, for example:
Establish a weekly “Healthy Eats” day and highlight how employees can save on their favorite healthy restaurants with their DashPass benefit.
Use flexible Expensed Meal Credits to give employees health-focused meal budgets they can spend on their preferred restaurants while HR and finance stay in control of when, where, and how much can be ordered.
Rely on Group Orders and vouchers for wellness-focused events such as benefits fairs, step-challenge kickoffs, or town hall meetings, so teams can enjoy salads, bowls, and juices together without chasing individual receipts.
Because DoorDash for Business centralizes billing, expense integrations, and reporting, these programs can slot into existing wellness and benefits strategies rather than adding new administrative complexity.
How a “Healthy Eats” lineup supports wellness goals
Wellness leaders want initiatives that feel meaningful to employees and are simple to manage. Using local “Healthy Eats” partners through a flexible DoorDash program can support several common goals at once.
Everyday healthy choices
Regular access to grain bowls, salads, lean proteins, and fresh juices makes it easier for employees to align lunch with their health goals, whether they are prioritizing protein, managing weight, or trying to eat more vegetables.
Energy and focus
Meals built around whole ingredients and balanced macronutrients can help reduce afternoon sluggishness and support steady focus during demanding workdays, from quarterly close to launch weeks.
Inclusion and flexibility
With broad restaurant selection and configurable Expensed Meal Credits, employees can choose meals that fit their dietary preferences or medical needs, such as gluten-free, plant-based, high-protein, or lighter options, within a single, company-managed program.
When employees can choose food that works for their bodies and routines, meal benefits reinforce broader wellness efforts instead of working against them.
Linking food benefits to culture and satisfaction
Food shows up in many key moments at work, from team standups to client meetings, and can signal how much leadership values employee wellbeing.
DoorDash for Business helps companies enhance employee and client satisfaction by combining strong restaurant selection, cost-effective and flexible meal programs, and reliable delivery — whether teams are in the office, on the road, or working hybrid.
Our 2024 survey found that employees receiving meal benefits report a 91% satisfaction rate compared to 78% for those without benefits. Additionally, 79% of employees said they also feel more productive, and 72% reported better mental health when provided with meal benefits. This data suggests that flexible, well-run meal programs can contribute to how employees feel about their day-to-day experience and their employer overall.
By intentionally featuring local “Healthy Eats” favorites as part of those programs, companies can align everyday lunches with their wellness story by supporting local businesses, fueling teams with better-for-you meals, and creating small, consistent moments of care.
A practical next step is to identify a handful of health-focused local favorites through DoorDash for Business, build them into recurring Group Orders or flexible Expensed Meal Credits, and use reporting tools to track participation and feedback over time.
To explore what a tailored “Healthy Eats” rotation could look like for your offices, talk to the DoorDash for Business team about building a meal benefit that supports both wellness goals and real-world workloads.
