When to Eat???

KISSLady75
KISSLady75 Posts: 4
in Food and Nutrition
Hey, I need some help. I work a weird shift (6:30pm-3:00am). ,I'm usually waking up around noon, have a coffee, eat some breakfast (or protein shake), go to the gym a couple of hours later. Come home, eat lunch (this is around 4pm). Start getting ready for work. I either eat my dinner just before work or my first break (I get a lot of breaks, a 20 minute one every hour, so I have a snack every break, a small one). When I get home at 3:00am I find I'm really hungry and can't sleep, so I grab stupid stuff, like a cheese sandwich, or a couple of cookies...and this is where I go wrong, I know it, but I can't sleep when my tummy is growling. What do you all think about saving my dinner until I get home at 3:00am? I usually fall asleep around 4:00am. It got so bad last week that I just pigged out on a bunch of chocolate and pizza (FAIL!!!!!!). Thanks for any help.

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    My husband does shift work...6am-6pm for 2 days then 6pm-6am for two nights...on his night shifts he eats almost immediately on getting home...eats again a couple hours later. Goes to bed and gets up for work then eats 2x that night...usually a big meal with his co-workers and snacks 2 hours before he gets home...

    I think the key is to eat when you feel the need, prelog it makes it easier to stay on track.
  • KISSLady75
    KISSLady75 Posts: 4
    Ok, thanks tons. I'm just so disappointed in myself, because they say don't eat before bed. But it's my dinner time, lol, how can I not??? I'm thinking I'll just eat my dinner on my last break before going home, that might help.
  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    Don't feel bad! It doesn't matter when you eat, it's how much. Focus on planning meals around what makes you feel best. I literally eat up to 1200 calories right before bed ;) Don't sweat it.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    Time of day doesn't matter. The way your body digests and uses food isn't based on if the sun is up or down. Treat your day the same as if you worked a 9-5 except tweek the hours. If 3am would be your dinner time, then eat your dinner.
  • KISSLady75
    KISSLady75 Posts: 4
    You are all amazing, and knowledgable. I'm so new here, and so new to this get healthy thing. Thank you so much :)
  • exuberantself
    exuberantself Posts: 10
    I completely feel your pain! I work 3pm to 1am and have to wake myself up early to have breakfast, eat lunch an hour later, snack throughout my work shift, then have dinner right before bed. I don't knkw how your work schedule works, but I'm trying to find low-maintenance meals I can take to work instead of having to wait until 2am for dinner.
  • MaitreyeeMAYHEM
    MaitreyeeMAYHEM Posts: 559 Member
    I like to drink water before i eat. If i drink 12 oz of water and after that I am not full then I'm obviously hungry. It's good to drink water before because you won't consume as much plus it helps with digestion while you eat plus hydrates you.

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