http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10293737/any-fellow-graveyard-workers-here#latest

Hopefully this will help some. My biggest thing is going to work well prepared, and staying away from vending machines, convenience stores and restaurants. Don't really care for fast food so last one is not much of a problem. I don't carry much cash on me so vending machines isn't much of a problem. Since I get out and about in the ambulance convenience stores are probably my biggest hurdle. If my partner stops, I usually just stay in the truck, otherwise I have just started driving by them without a thought.

@sappho123 My indigestion has greatly improved since going LCHF. The only times I have problems now is too much coffee. Someone in another post suggested 1 TBSP Apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. You could always go drink the sodium bicarb off the ambulance (if you carry it)haha. I have threatened to do that several times.

I actually find it easier with the WOE at work, probably because I stay fuller longer and have less cravings, although the baked goods always do look tempting. But after every the Brownie and Fudge Fiasco of Christmas 2015, I am far less tempted. I finally threw out all the cakes that had been sitting on the counter at the station since Christmas yesterday. These people seem to never throw away anything. I am an obsessive cleaner lol. And someone always has a package of cookie dough in the fridge. I usually hide that out of my sight so I don't see it when I open the fridge.

I work 24 hr shifts, so the day before work, I cook and prepare everything for my work day and package it up making sure I have 3 meals or BPC (I make it before I leave for work and put in my travel mug) and 2 meals and a few snacks and a fat bomb or two I can just pop in my mouth on the way to a call if I can't actually stop and eat. I actually ate supper last night on the way to a call. Heat it up and of course the tones are going to drop. I also have my emergency can of tuna in my bag. I convinced one of my partners to go low carb (he's enjoying the weight loss) and I have been known to steal his beef jerky I tend not to eat after 9 or 10 pm at night. Thankfully after that time I very seldom get hungry and if I am hungry it's a true hunger and not mindless munchies. In order for me to stay on track, I must always be prepared whether at work or at home. That means making meals in advanced, having quick go-to recipes and low carb snacks available.

I'm a medic too. Today is day 6 on keto. I have done keto in the past and lost a considerable amount of weight and felt amazing. Then I went back to the SAD and gained a whole bunch of weight, ending up at the heaviest I've ever been.

I agree, it's hard trying to only eat three meals when you are up for 28 hours at a time sometimes. I got up for work at 0400 yesterday, slept from 2000-2100, 0130-0245, and from 0530-600 when I got off. It was hard to not give into the cravings when I was awake so long and when I just wanted a "hit" to get me going again. I quit all caffeine 6 days ago to help with some inflammation symptoms as well, so that's been a double whammy.

I second the thought that if my partner stops, I don't get out of the truck. There is quite literally nothing I need to even look at inside a gas station!

I have to pre-plan and pre-pack meals for shift. I cook three meals with protein and a vegetable for shift. I also bring a big tub of lettuce and a bag of shredded taco cheese. I have decided that I absolutely will not eat after 7 pm while on shift, no matter what. I just don't have the willpower to eat correctly once I get tired, so I'm going to head that off at the pass and just not eat anything!

I chew a lot of SF gum after dark. I know it has some blood glucose effects, but honestly, I can't feel them. The way I figure it, SF gum is better than Reese's peanut butter cups, so I'm going to keep doing it......

RN here too, but am day shift when I work! Shout out too all! I worked ER for three years, so you have my respect. Plus, I did my tenure on nights years ago and understand the struggle. Maybe just some coffee, or tea, with heavy whipping cream? Is filling, and extends satiety! If you aren't hungry, which hopefully, with this woe, you won't be, you won't think about food!

@Karlottap terrific idea, HWC in some tea! I had forgotten all about that creamy goodness!!

sappho123 wrote: »

WOW! So many medics and nurses! What an amazing group! @catherineh1027 3AM is a perfect time for a fat bomb or sesame/sunflower seed crackers and cheese slice! @SoosannahK I do suffer less from indigestion now, but something about the station...hmmmm...bicarb, I'm sure we have some of that around....hmmm... @calebsdaddy your yesterday's schedule makes my stomach turn! Sleep deprivation just makes me physically sick!

Well, you folks have a terrific week!

Being up for the whole 24 hr shift does make one a bit queasy. Maybe that's why I am never hungry throughout the night if I am up. Up the whole shift last shift. Came home and slept 9 hrs which essentially ate up one of my days off. Hoping for a better one today.

I second the fat bomb suggestion. One is usually enough to give my tummy a full feeling and curb the hunger pangs and they are portable so you can munch on one walking out the door. No fork required! Just eat them quick before they get all melty. Cheese is always good too although I don't care for crackers. Just slap some cheese in a piece of sandwich meat and roll it up.

@catherineh1027 some great suggestions here and hopefully you can use some that work for you. I think it would stink having to switch between nights and days. Is this a regular ongoing thing? It would mess me up. I work my 24hrs and go home for my 2 days off to regroup and start all over again.

@canadjineh 7-11 has been my downfall. Ours has prosciutto wrapped mozzarella in the cold case. I love this stuff and a great little pick me upper. Wish I could find something like it at my grocer so I could bypass the 7-11. They also give us free coffee when we are in uniform, so always very tempting to stop but lately I have just been driving on by because they also have some marvelous sea salt caramels that seem to scream my name.

Oh, and HIIIIII! @canadjineh !

catherineh1027 wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm the nurse manager for our unit, so when we're short on staff I typically cover. Right now, I'm down a night shift nurse, so until I can hire someone, I'm switching back and forth between office day hours and 12 hours nights. That first night, I can't sleep during the day prior to working and I'm up 24 hours. It's rough. My body won't behave that first day.

I have never made a fat bomb but I keep reading about them. I have a couple of recipes saved that I want to try out. I'm doing well with low carbing so far, but I'm still a little hesitant with the high fat aspect. I had a cholecystectomy a year ago and I still have some pain off and on in my right side. I'm not sure if it's from food or not, but I have increased my fat intake more and I seem to be doing okay. I'm also going grain free and my headaches have cut back a lot. I haven't cut out dairy and milk may be my next thing. I'll have to see how I feel. I tried coconut, almond, rice and cashew milk from the grocery stores and was not a fan because of the taste and lack of creamy texture.

I've had the ol' gallbladder out too due to an EF of 15%. Never had any stones or pain even. I did have phantom pains for about a year after having it removed. I never could have done keto with the gallbladder in because any fat made me terribly sick. I have yet to see the purpose of a gallbladder because I feel much better without mine. I have not really had any issues with all the fat. Truth be told, I am more regular than ever and any digestive issues I had previously have almost resolved completely (IBS, GERD).

I think as healthcare workers we may be a little hesitant to add all the fat because we have had it pounded into our heads and shoved down our throats that fat is bad. My husband has been doing keto along with me though he keeps his carbs a little higher because he can tolerate them better and still lose weight. He recently had his biometric screening done at work. His numbers have greatly IMPROVED since his screening last year when he was on a regular diet. His blood sugar has gone down, his lipid panel is improved and he is now in the lower end of normal on the bad things and his HDL levels have gone up. Evidently his screener must have known something about LCHF diets because she knew he didn't eat sugar/carbs just by his values and told him it shows in his blood work and this was only after about 6 weeks LCHF. All his previous screenings have been borderline horrible, So don't fear the good healthy fats!! We use mostly grass fed butter and coconut oil, but we also have salmon and avocados on occasion as well as our animals fats. I never trim my meats. I think all that yummy flavor is hidden in the fat. He also eats almonds. I tend to avoid nuts because the satisfaction vs carbs isn't enough for me at this time and I am trying to stay low low carb. Although I do love a good cocoa dusted almond. And cheese, tons and tons of cheese.

And I whole heartedly agree with the post from Karlottap, do your own research on the topic of fat.

Hopefully you can hire a new nurse soon, because flip-flopping just sounds horrible.