Eating during your job

nicole716
nicole716 Posts: 43 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hey everyone :)

I'm starting a job (my first job) next Tuesday, and it's really going to change my eating pattern. I'm working Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturdays 10am-2pm. It's a total of 32 hours a week, and i'm not sure if i'll be eating enough during the day because of my job. i only have a 30 minute lunch break, and that's all i can eat until i'm off work. i don't want my metabolism to slow down because of this new eating pattern... does anyone have suggestions on what to bring for my lunch? i'll need someting that will fill me until 5 pm. *also, i'll be working at a store that sells uniforms, so i'll be walking around a lot during the day, helping customers, etc.

Normally, i eat six small meals a day, which makes up about 1300 calories per day. i'm nervous that my job will hinder my weight loss or slow down my metabolism or something...does anyone have any advice or similar situations? thanks :)

Replies

  • doughnutwretch
    doughnutwretch Posts: 498 Member
    Dependant upon the kind of job you will be working, you should be able to bring meals/snacks in with you so you can maintain your eating habits. I keep fruit, veggies, almonds, yogurt, string cheese and protein bars around so I can snack when I'm hungry. They're all healthy options and keep me full throughout the day. I'm normally just a three meals and one or two light snack type person which works well with my 8-5 schedule.

    Best of luck!
  • melsinct
    melsinct Posts: 3,512 Member
    I can't do this X small meals a day business because I have to interface with clients and do other work that stops me from eating constantly. I do the traditional breakfast, lunch, dinner and rarely snack. I am never starving and I am losing weight. I don't think it will screw with your metabolism. Most people eat three meals, not six (at least most people I know). The worst part will be training your body to eat more at one time.

    Make sure you start off with a filling breakfast...for me that is key. I like oatmeal (not instant) w/skim milk and raisins or my new fav is nonfat greek yogurt mixed with equal parts Kashi Go Lean Crunch.
  • k8edge
    k8edge Posts: 380 Member
    You should still be able to have your snacks...

    If they say something - Tell them that you need it otherwise you get light headed... haha :laugh:

    Other than that... Fuel up at lunch during your half hour with foods that will sustain you. Turkey sandwiches, avocado, bananas, high protein yogurt will all help you to get through the day.

    Good luck with the new job!
  • Sarahr73
    Sarahr73 Posts: 454 Member
    If they say you can't eat during your shift except for your break, see if you can bring a protien shake and go in back and drink that quick when you feel hungry. They are pretty filling and easy to drink.
  • roxiedo
    roxiedo Posts: 154 Member
    I only have 30 minutes for lunch too, but I sit. Today I had a spinach wrap with turkey and loaded lots of veggies on it, it really kept me full. I also make my own "egg mcmuffin" for breakfast - english muffin, egg beaters and lots of veggies mixed in. They both really hold me for hours
  • ehedges31
    ehedges31 Posts: 72 Member
    eat a good breakfast (maybe with a little more calories than you're used to since you won't get the smaller meal between breakfast and lunch.) Then bring a filling but healthy lunch (salads are always good filling wise, maybe add chicken for protein or tuna. or a chicken wrap of sorts (tortilla wraps are high calorie but healthy) add lettuce and meat and cheese and your favorite dressing.

    Today for lunch I had a tortilla wrap, one boneless skinless chicken breast (baked with simple seasoning), cut up, with bbq sauce and salad mix and cheese. super filling but not too caloric and not to the point where I felt stuffed. feel free to check my diary if you have questions.
  • robertf57
    robertf57 Posts: 560 Member
    I would have some healthy snacks on hand. Even if you wolf them down during a "bathroom break" you should be able to keep up a similar eating pattern, I would think. Otherwise. I would merely shift some of the snack items into break fast, lunch and a snack right after work.

    Good luck!
  • sarah44254
    sarah44254 Posts: 3,078 Member
    I am so thankful that my job allows me to snack on little bites all through the day. I'm sure it helps me more than not being able to eat at all.
  • taso42_DELETED
    taso42_DELETED Posts: 3,394 Member
    Are you able to have something quick without it counting as your official lunch break? I eat 3 times while at work:

    around 11:30am: midmorning oatmeal snack with a whey shake
    around 2:30pm: "lunch" (varies)
    around 5pm: meal replacement shake

    If you could 2 "quick" meals in addition to your lunch, that might let you stick with your 6 meals a day routine.

    Otherwise, just bring in a lunch much bigger than you're used to eating, and I suspect your body will adapt and that will become normal. More and more I'm reading that meal timing/frequency doesn't matter as much as we first thought, as long as you're meeting your targets.
  • milaxx
    milaxx Posts: 1,122 Member
    Simply rework your schedule. Eat a good breakfast, I assume since you have 30 mins for lunch you will bring that. Then have some simple like nuts or dried fruit or a larabar that you have in the car and eat a sensible dinner. I do 3 main meas and ony do snacks as needed. It can be done.
  • Teemo
    Teemo Posts: 338 Member
    The good news is that NOT eating six meals per day and only eating three (or two or one) meal per day has no effect on your metabolism. :smile:

    So... don't worry about it!
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