graveyard shift

Hello all, I work graveyard and was just wondering what and when my fellow graveyard workers eat. At first I would eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on a "regular" schedule and not eat in the middle of the night. This just didn't work for me because I ended up starving all night long. So now I will bring a piece of fruit and maybe some 0% Greek yogurt, but this is getting boring. Any suggestions on what to eat while on shift that won't ruin my calorie goals for the rest of the day?

Replies

  • justjenn1977
    justjenn1977 Posts: 437 Member
    Hello all, I work graveyard and was just wondering what and when my fellow graveyard workers eat. At first I would eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on a "regular" schedule and not eat in the middle of the night. This just didn't work for me because I ended up starving all night long. So now I will bring a piece of fruit and maybe some 0% Greek yogurt, but this is getting boring. Any suggestions on what to eat while on shift that won't ruin my calorie goals for the rest of the day?

    I work 12 hour overnight shifts (when I am not off on medical leave for a broken foot)

    I get up around 1630/1700... I usually eat dinner with my kids... and then arrive at work at 1845... I am a nurse in intensive care so.... the timing of my meals is NOT consistent... sometimes I get to eat around midnight... other times not until 0200... I usually get to eat by 0200 though... I always have some crunchy bits (carrot or fruit or something...) so that I can take a 5 min stuff something in my mouth break.... if it is especially hectic I will grab a milk 2% carton around 2200... then I usually stop in the cafeteria on the way home and get something (a sandwich or eggs and bacon or fruit and oatmeal) if my middle meal was early enough and things are settled enough I sometimes go to cafe around 0530/0600... if I don't get a bit of protein before I go to sleep it doesn't happen! I can not sleep hungry!

    every three weeks I have 8 days off... and I revert to a "normal" schedule
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    When I worked graveyard I had two medium size meals - one before going on shift (I'd eat at 9 or so) and one coming off and then ate my big meal of the day around 3.

    My favorite snacks are small amounts of nuts (cashews do it best for me and I eat them 3-6 at a time), apples, ginger candy (10 calories, really powerful taste). I also pack small salad rollups on low carb tortillas (50 calories for the tortilla and almost nothing for the salad). Again, very filling and keeps me going another few hours.

    Drink lots of water.
  • Jalyst79
    Jalyst79 Posts: 50 Member
    I would work out before I went to work. Then at work, I made it a priority to drink 32-64 oz of water or Powerade lite. I ate fruit, popcorn, and the steamers or cereal. I always kept a box of instant oatmeal for those days it was really cold and I needed something more filling.
  • ac2662
    ac2662 Posts: 47 Member
    Thanks for the great ideas guys!!