What to eat when you work at night!

darlene98

Hi, I also work at night and find it hard to not eat junk while working. I started packing veggies and a protein bar to help with the snacking.

amtru2015

On a sidenote.....doesnt it suck working nights???? smh.

tnsumner

I work 3rd shift (11pm-7:30am). The key is planning!!!!

I take yogurt, string cheese, fruit (watermelon, pear, apple, orange), and oatmeal for snacks.

I acutally don't really EAT at work. I have a protein shake after I run on my 30 minute lunch. However, I worked 2nd shift for 2 years. I gained a lot of weight eating the way you described. Then I started making my dinners ahead of time. I had a chicken breast and 2 veggies. Just heat it up at work and done. You're already heating up those awful frozen meals. This is the same, but YOU controlled what you put in it.

Alice_rio

There are many quick and easy meals you can cook in less than 20 minutes. Look for online recipes. Here is one: eatingwell.com.
They mostly feature seafood meals, though. It is important to make sure that you have a healthy diet.

jetlag

On a sidenote.....doesnt it suck working nights???? smh.

I've never worked nights, but my husband has. Yeah, it sucks :-(

RebekahR84

On a sidenote.....doesnt it suck working nights???? smh.

Oh my goodness, I hate it SO much. Not as much as I hated 2nd shift though. On 2nd shift, your WHOLE day is used up. You miss out on baby showers, weddings, birthdays, etc.

Can't wait until I have enough seniority to get to 1st shift.

So, let me guess everyone's profession here: dispatchers, medical staff, night clerks?

hsnider29

Nurse! LOL!

amandaxob

I love my night shift. LOL. I'm a Property Preservation Specialist, yay desk work..

AnneTanne0

My first piece of advice is to alter your eating times. I'm 3rd shift. Check out the way I personalized my food diary.

This would be my advice too...
I don't know how it is/was in America, but over here in Europe, or at least in Belgium, people used to eat their main meal at noon (at least when they worked at home or in the neighborhood).
When I was young, both my parents, my sisters and I came home from school (parents were teachers) at noon, my mother was able to cook at warm meal (had skinned some potatoes in the morning already). In the evening we only had a light meal.

Even nowadays, my parents and my parents-in-law (all in their 70's-80's) cook and eat a warm meal at lunchtime, and have a light course in the evening.
In the weekend, I often try to do this too, to have more time in the afternoon for other things.

So... why shouldn't you eat your main meal before you go to work? You could eat something light during your break, and have a snack after work...

And indeed... meal planning...
On days that I know I'll be home late, I cook a chili-dish the day before (you could do that in the morning), and only have to steam some rice in the evening.
And make a portion for the next day too...
And another portion for the freezer for next week?

I love to make a couscous salad with lots of vegetables. No need to cook, and it tastes even better the next day...
http://thekindlife.com/forum/topic/1676757/amazing-couscous-salad-by-jamie-oliver (I tend to add more veggies than Jamie Oliver does).

AprilRN10

I eat the same foods at night that I would during the day. I eat a lot of salads and fruits because they are quick and easy. Progresso light soups too.

I work 7p to 7a and I am a nurse.

amtru2015

So, let me guess everyone's profession here: dispatchers, medical staff, night clerks?

Military here

RebekahR84

So, let me guess everyone's profession here: dispatchers, medical staff, night clerks?

Military here

Ah yes! Can't forget our military service-people. Thank you for what you do!

I'm a 911disptacher.

jennfranklin

Premake you some burritos if you like and freeze them individually. I have a recipe, if anyone wants it!

Territravel

I work midnights and mostly bring left overs. If you dont like to cook you can buy those ready made salads and add things like taco meat, imitation crab, chicken.

Sounds crazy, but I like working the midnight shift. The company I work for tends to micro-manage the day shift. I do travel for a major shipping company.

lacroyx

On a sidenote.....doesnt it suck working nights???? smh.

Yes, it does for a social life. It's great for going to the gym in the mornings for me though.

As for what to eat, I just eat what I would during the day. I plan ahead and portion out my meals. It takes extra time but it's worth it.

jax24fit4life

i used to have a problem with eating healthy in general i used to hate cooking, ate take out or whatever was easy to grab from the shops and i have 2 kids. i work nights in ICU from 630pm to 7am eventually the poor diet of 30 yrs also affected my health and mental wellbeing, I was exhibiting signs of high stress and allergic symptoms: migraines, bloating, hair fall out, sluggish, low energy, dry itchy skin I was all out of whack! but since i've incorporated eating healthy with my herbalife nutrition i feel awesome and gaining my health and wellbeing back, health is wealth, if I absolutely run out of time because there's only 24hrs a day (funny that) i get my needed nutrition under calorie with my nutrition shakes and still eat my prepped meals and my kids now make their own shakes for breakfast too .

dontdomornings92

So far what I've come up with is cooking chicken and freezing it in individual serving sizes. Then when I get home from work all I have to do is thaw it out and add it to something, such as rice and vegetables, and I am good to go!