shift workers...

ewejewel

I am a shift worker and when I am on evenings ( 1530 to 2330) I feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends as a typical day for me starts at 0630 (whether I'm working or not) I am looking for food suggestions or any strategies to help satisfy my appetite for those exceptionally long days. I try not to eat after 2000 (8pm), but my tummy starts saying foul things and I struggle with the urges to snack unnecessarily....Help!

pitbullmama

Are you breaking down your calories so you can have 5-6 small meals/snacks? I find when I am on nights its best for me to bring my food portioned out so I can have something every 2-3 hours. And don't worry if you have to eat after 8. Having a small snack a while before bed isn't going to kill you. Just keep to your calorie allotment for the day.

Lamemind

I work similar hours at times and I depend on lots of water. I found gum makes things worse. Just drink that water up and stay busy

megz4987

Protein apparently helps keep you full longer.
Whole wheat pasta's nice and heavy, too.

mea9

bump

CaptainMFP

I'm not a shift worker but my work day is usually very crammed with little time to eat. (Three days a week this fall I will be in class from 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM with no break longer than 10 minutes and two 90 min. blocks where I can't even get water.) I would encourage the lots of small meal route already mentioned. As long as you get a balance of nutrients (i.e. get your protein!) this may help keep hunger at bay. I think the drink lots of water advice is also sound. I still remember in college my senior year (my Dean's List year) that I gave up on caffeine for late night studying and just drank lots of water. I never risked the crash that sugar and caffeine can cause and I wasn't as hungry if I was drinking as much water as I could hold. (Without, you know, peeing every 3 minutes.)

Tanyabear_

I work overnights as well. There are so many times when I have been up all day before work, making me get lasy when it comes to bringing something to eat. Often I get fed at work, something healthy, but if not it is hard to stay away from those favorite not good for you convieient snack foods. Bump....