Breakfasts that can last me from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM?

malavika413

So, I'm volunteering at a day shelter this summer. We don't get a lunch break, so if we want to eat we have to eat the food served in the shelter. I did try it, but the food is terrible, is loaded in calories, and makes me kind of sick (it's very creamy and rich). So, I need to find breakfasts that I can have that'll last me from early in the morning before I leave for work until 5 pm, when I come home.

I have found that I can sneak a quick snack when things are busy, so I usually take a slice of bread and peanut butter and stash it in my purse. So I'm not starving entirely during the day, but a filling breakfast is still important. I'm on a 1500 calorie limit btw.

kirayng2

a cup of oatmeal with lots of fruit like berries, peaches with either protein powder mixed in or 3-4 egg whites on the side (or in it, you can't taste them). Lasts me 6-7 hours with a small snack after like a protein bar (make sure it has at least 3 grams of fiber) and piece of fruit, esp. banana. I am a chef so I have to eat a really good breakfast because I don't eat again until I get home at midnight! Also you can add chia or flax meal to the oatmeal for even more fiber but start slowly with that because you don't want to get bloated!

OhMsDiva

Why cant you take food with you while you are working? Can you not eat your own food when the others are eating lunch. Why are you volunteering somewhere that sounds like a prison and you can't eat for 10 hours?

MelaniaTrump

Did you know if it was a job it would be illegal not to give you a small lunch break, even if you choose not to eat their food?
Check out the laws. Every state is slightly different.
Do your parents know about this?

malavika413

OhMsDiva wrote: »

Why cant you take food with you while you are working? Can you not eat your own food when the others are eating lunch. Why are you volunteering somewhere that sounds like a prison and you can't eat for 10 hours?

I can eat the food. I'm the one choosing not to eat it. They're a shelter, they don't have the facilities to cater to everyone, and since we're volunteering there aren't any official breaks. If there's a lull I get my purse from the closet and cram a pb sandwich. And no, I can't eat my own food. It's sort of a requirement of the shelter that you eat what's being served. So I sneak my food.

malavika413

JanetYellen wrote: »

Did you know if it was a job it would be illegal not to give you a small lunch break, even if you choose not to eat their food?
Check out the laws. Every state is slightly different.
Do your parents know about this?

It's not a job though, just a volunteer internship. I realize that a paid position requires a thirty minute lunch break, but I'm not being paid.

malavika413

kirayng2 wrote: »

a cup of oatmeal with lots of fruit like berries, peaches with either protein powder mixed in or 3-4 egg whites on the side (or in it, you can't taste them). Lasts me 6-7 hours with a small snack after like a protein bar (make sure it has at least 3 grams of fiber) and piece of fruit, esp. banana. I am a chef so I have to eat a really good breakfast because I don't eat again until I get home at midnight! Also you can add chia or flax meal to the oatmeal for even more fiber but start slowly with that because you don't want to get bloated!

Thanks, I've considered trying overnight oats and things to that effect. I'm just so used to small meals/snacks that I tend to get bloated/uncomfortable.

Meganthedogmom

I would bring more snacks and keep sneaking them.

Actually, I would volunteer somewhere else because that sounds awful.

kbmnurse

Today had a wrap (60 cal) with 1 egg over easy and 3 slices Canadian Bacon. Full for awhile.

kbmnurse

meganridenour wrote: »

I would bring more snacks and keep sneaking them.

Actually, I would volunteer somewhere else because that sounds awful.

kirstenb13

I don't think a breakfast like that exists but I would also bring lots of small things that can be eaten quickly like string cheese, Lara bars, nuts, cut up fruit... and eat it during the day

Samanthor

Is there a supervisor you can talk to to ask about getting some time away to eat? What would they have done if you had an allergy to the food they served? I know this is a volunteer job, but it seems unethical to me.

Lounmoun

malavika413 wrote: »

So, I'm volunteering at a day shelter this summer. We don't get a lunch break, so if we want to eat we have to eat the food served in the shelter. I did try it, but the food is terrible, is loaded in calories, and makes me kind of sick (it's very creamy and rich). So, I need to find breakfasts that I can have that'll last me from early in the morning before I leave for work until 5 pm, when I come home.

I have found that I can sneak a quick snack when things are busy, so I usually take a slice of bread and peanut butter and stash it in my purse. So I'm not starving entirely during the day, but a filling breakfast is still important. I'm on a 1500 calorie limit btw.

Protein, fats and fiber are filling. If it were me I'd probably have 500-600 calories for breakfast, 100-200 calorie snack, 500-600 calorie dinner and a small night time snack. Look at some calorie dense foods and try pre-logging your day. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1

Breakfast- meat, cheese, whole eggs, banana, peanut butter, oatmeal, whole milk, bagel, butter, fruit, potato, granola, muffins, hummus, oatmeal, beans, lentils
Lunch snack- fruit, nuts, trail mix, jerky, milk, vegetables, granola bar, crackers with peanut butter, bagel
Dinner- meat, cheese, pasta, rice, potatoes, broccoli, eggs, etc
evening snack- popcorn, fruit, veggies and hummus, cottage cheese, yogurt, muffins, etc

I don't think skipping lunch or eating very lightly is any worse than someone skipping breakfast or eating a light dinner. You can make it work.

Francl27

I'd go with eggs and beans (250 calories) with some oats with nuts (300 calories), a Greek yogurt (100 calories), and fruit (80 calories).

WinoGelato

If they allow time to eat the food that they prepared but you choose not to eat it, why can't you use the same time to eat something that you bring?

FitPhillygirl

Tell them you have a medical condition which requires that you eat your own meals fro home. If that doesn't work, stick a protein bar in your pocket. One that is a little higher in protein and calories than others. This will at least give you an extra boost mid day.

dragon_girl26

FitPhillygirl wrote: »

Tell them you have a medical condition which requires that you eat your own meals fro home. If that doesn't work, stick a protein bar in your pocket. One that is a little higher in protein and calories than others. This will at least give you an extra boost mid day.

^^This. I'm personally a fan of Oh Yeah One protein bars. I can eat one before I go the gym Saturday mornings, and they'll usually last a few hours for me. They're about 210-220 calories each. It would something quick and easy to eat as a "lunch", too, if you don't have other options.
You could always check out some of the Ramadan threads in the Weight Loss forums section and see if there are any good suggestions for a substantial first meal of the day.
Omelets, loaded with vegetables, usually last me awhile in the mornings as well.

ninerbuff

JanetYellen wrote: »

Did you know if it was a job it would be illegal not to give you a small lunch break, even if you choose not to eat their food?
Check out the laws. Every state is slightly different.
Do your parents know about this?

I believe it's volunteer work she's doing, so there is no set lunch hour.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

tcunbeliever

If I eat breakfast at all I have an omelet with cheese and avocado (500ish cal) at 5:30 am, then don't eat lunch until 2pm, so that might be a good one to try.

Becca_250

Lounmoun wrote: »

malavika413 wrote: »

So, I'm volunteering at a day shelter this summer. We don't get a lunch break, so if we want to eat we have to eat the food served in the shelter. I did try it, but the food is terrible, is loaded in calories, and makes me kind of sick (it's very creamy and rich). So, I need to find breakfasts that I can have that'll last me from early in the morning before I leave for work until 5 pm, when I come home.

I have found that I can sneak a quick snack when things are busy, so I usually take a slice of bread and peanut butter and stash it in my purse. So I'm not starving entirely during the day, but a filling breakfast is still important. I'm on a 1500 calorie limit btw.

Protein, fats and fiber are filling. If it were me I'd probably have 500-600 calories for breakfast, 100-200 calorie snack, 500-600 calorie dinner and a small night time snack. Look at some calorie dense foods and try pre-logging your day. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1

Breakfast- meat, cheese, whole eggs, banana, peanut butter, oatmeal, whole milk, bagel, butter, fruit, potato, granola, muffins, hummus, oatmeal, beans, lentils
Lunch snack- fruit, nuts, trail mix, jerky, milk, vegetables, granola bar, crackers with peanut butter, bagel
Dinner- meat, cheese, pasta, rice, potatoes, broccoli, eggs, etc
evening snack- popcorn, fruit, veggies and hummus, cottage cheese, yogurt, muffins, etc

I don't think skipping lunch or eating very lightly is any worse than someone skipping breakfast or eating a light dinner. You can make it work.

This but would also add in protein bars, something dense like a Quest bar or flapjack really fills me up.

fr33sia12

malavika413 wrote: »

JanetYellen wrote: »

Did you know if it was a job it would be illegal not to give you a small lunch break, even if you choose not to eat their food?
Check out the laws. Every state is slightly different.
Do your parents know about this?

It's not a job though, just a volunteer internship. I realize that a paid position requires a thirty minute lunch break, but I'm not being paid.

If you're not being paid what are they going to do to you if you eat your own food instead of theirs? They don't sound like a very nice charity if volunteers can't even eat what or when they want. Do they even allow you go to go the toilet? If so eat something then while they think you're using the loo.

amy_kee

What lasts me a long time is: 1/4 Cup cut up onions, sauteed, 6 Cup fresh spinach sauteed, add in some egg whites, cook, then eat. On the side, 1 serving of oatmeal. All that lasts a real long time.

laur357

Good for you for volunteering!
I'd say something like a 2 egg omelette with extra egg whites and a lot of veggies/meat + a cup of berries (High fiber + protein + some fat)

Or, eat a big dinner-type meal first thing and eat light later. Have whole wheat pasta with protein and veggies. Stir-fry. Then keep taking snacks to eat on the fly.

47Jacqueline

You're kidding right? No meal will last that long. Your body digests a meal in 4 hours. Bring a snack or make sure they give you a break.

questionfear

Can you drink during your shifts? You could try making smoothies, or even just keeping a packet of protein powder and a shaker bottle on hand.

AlyM725

It's great that you're volunteering! However, I would find somewhere else to volunteer. Some places take advantage of the volunteers and the lack of rules governing voluntary work. I've volunteered at various animal shelters and Salvation Army and we were always given a lunch break. There was one place that tried not to give a lunch break. We complained and they relented. I never went back there again. I would check your state's laws too.

Queenmunchy

I understand if it's a shelter that they would rather not have employees/volunteers eating their own food that may be "better" than what they can provide those who live there.

However, I do question the fact that you can't get even 10 minutes to take a break and eat something in a private area. Have you specifically asked them? We are pretty accommodating at my job, particularly with interns and other unpaid volunteer workers.

sylkates

Guys, it sounds like the expectation is that the volunteers can take time to eat the food that they're preparing for the shelter guests. They probably have this rule/expectation so that the guests don't feel like they're being poisoned or being fed crappy food! It's unfortunate that the charity she's at is so food-based and the food doesn't fit into her calorie counting or stomach sensitivities, but this is a legitimate question and a legitimate rule for a place like that.

Oh and as others have said, you need lots of snacks or a smoothie, since meals never last that long.

randomtai

I would volunteer somewhere else. *shrug*

mbcieslak87

Yeah, it sounds like you're in a tricky situation... for breakfast I would eat something large - I am already a huge breakfast eater, and even then I'm hungry by 1pm though.

My personal go-to is an egg white omelet with ground turkey and veggies thrown in, vanilla greek yogurt with fiber one cereal mixed in and a muli-grain english muffin with laughing cow cheese or some other cheese melted on it, along with coffee and water. (Yes I have all of that every single morning). It's a pretty great blend of protein, and fiber while still being under 400 calories, and keeps me full for a while. Sometimes I'll add sliced avocado on top of the omelette for some fat, if I know it's going to be a while til I will have time to eat again...

That being said, I would still not last until dinner without something - can you slip a protein bar or a wrap with turkey and cheese in your purse and eat it on a bathroom break? It sounds like you're doing such a wonderful thing, so good luck! I hope you find a solution that fits your philanthropy goals and your nutrition goals!

DancingMoosie

I would eat a breakfast with protein and fiber and then put a higher protein meal bar and a banana in my purse to eat during the day. I eat on the job even if not given a break because I would feel sick if I didn't.