New here... Any shift workers out there?

Michelle_C_

Hey all... Here I am... I am hoping that MFP will help with my diet. I love going to the gym so fitness is not an issue for me. But my diet is! I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I would love any tips to shut it up! Hahahaha... Also, being a nurse, I do shift work (two 12 hour day shifts then two 12 hour night shifts, then five days off) and I find my diet is fair on my days off, less fair on my day shifts and HORRID on my night shifts. I miss breaks because I am too busy to eat, patients and their family members bring in teats ALL THE TIME! It is so easy to grab a cookie or dounut (sometimes 2 :blushing: ) and run when you can sit and eat a proper lunch, or after you had lunch they call my name so loudly and I cave 99.9% of the time… Then the night shifts, my sleep and eating schedules are all messed up and I am starved all the time, a starved Michelle is a grumpy Michelle, so for my patients sake, my co-workers sake, and my sanity... I eat... LOL... Any diet tips for these problems and new friends would be most helpful!!!!! Thanks!

Michelle_C_

Hey all... Here I am... I am hoping that MFP will help with my diet. I love going to the gym so fitness is not an issue for me. But my diet is! I have a HUGE sweet tooth! I would love any tips to shut it up! Hahahaha... Also, being a nurse, I do shift work (two 12 hour day shifts then two 12 hour night shifts, then five days off) and I find my diet is fair on my days off, less fair on my day shifts and HORRID on my night shifts. I miss breaks because I am too busy to eat, patients and their family members bring in teats ALL THE TIME! It is so easy to grab a cookie or dounut (sometimes 2 :blushing: ) and run when you can sit and eat a proper lunch, or after you had lunch they call my name so loudly and I cave 99.9% of the time… Then the night shifts, my sleep and eating schedules are all messed up and I am starved all the time, a starved Michelle is a grumpy Michelle, so for my patients sake, my co-workers sake, and my sanity... I eat... LOL... Any diet tips for these problems and new friends would be most helpful!!!!! Thanks!

That is supposed to say "I miss breaks because I am too busy to eat, patients and their family members bring in teats ALL THE TIME! It is so easy to grab a cookie or dounut (sometimes 2 :blushing: ) and run when you CAN'T sit and eat a proper lunch, or after you had lunch they call my name so loudly and I cave 99.9% of the time…"

LOL... I just finished a night shift!

MrsRadder

I work shift work and it's hard to say no to 'bad' food when you are tired. I will friend you and we can work together. Any other shift workers feel free to add me as well!

jarrettd

Plan, plan, plan! Use your diary to plan your meals and snacks. Eat only what is on your plan. It's tough to make good decisions when you are hungry and tired.

If you have a sweet tooth, look for healthier options to quell it, or bring smaller portions of treats. Carry "emergency food" with you for times when you could be tempted.

Make sure you are balancing high carb foods with some protein, or you will start a hunger/binge cycle due to blood sugar spikes.

A handful of almonds, a serving of whole wheat crackers and a Laughing Cow wedge, 1/2 an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter are some go-to hunger stoppers for me.

Get your sleep, as best you can. Eat a good, balanced meal before work, since it's likely to be the best you will eat all day.

Good luck and hang in there!

Michelle_C_

I work shift work and it's hard to say no to 'bad' food when you are tired. I will friend you and we can work together. Any other shift workers feel free to add me as well!

Thanks :happy:

Michelle_C_

Plan, plan, plan! Use your diary to plan your meals and snacks. Eat only what is on your plan. It's tough to make good decisions when you are hungry and tired.

If you have a sweet tooth, look for healthier options to quell it, or bring smaller portions of treats. Carry "emergency food" with you for times when you could be tempted.

Make sure you are balancing high carb foods with some protein, or you will start a hunger/binge cycle due to blood sugar spikes.

A handful of almonds, a serving of whole wheat crackers and a Laughing Cow wedge, 1/2 an apple and a tablespoon of peanut butter are some go-to hunger stoppers for me.

Get your sleep, as best you can. Eat a good, balanced meal before work, since it's likely to be the best you will eat all day.

Good luck and hang in there!

Emergency food... I like that... I am planning on lotsa raw veggies and mini babybell light cheese for my midnight snack tonight and oatmeal with light PB and a banana in it for 0600... Hopefully I can stay away from the vending machines, of course they are right beside my departmentt!

JoSa37

I think anyone on rotating shiftwork has a problem with nights shift. My best advice is moderation. Also I found using meal replacement bars helped out a lot for food on the go. By biggest problem is snacking between meals on shift.