Question for EMT/MEDICS/FIRE FIGHTERS

msmccabe
msmccabe Posts: 14 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Just to give you a little background info. I work 24 hour shifts in the emergency medical field. I have trouble eating healthy as the shift goes on. I was wondering if others had tips to curve appetite while running 911 calls all day. I especially bad the more tired I get. So around 1-2am when most people are sleeping, I find myself eating another meal since I've been up since 4am the day before. Any ideas or tips is very much appreciated. And feel free to add me as a friend for support.

Replies

  • llbrixon
    llbrixon Posts: 964 Member
    Have you tried IF (intermittent fasting)?
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    I am a paramedic.

    I bring a cooler with all of my meals and snacks, and don't eat anything I don't bring with me (more so for allergy reasons than weight loss though).

    I bring snacks that full me up, but easy to eat while going to the next call. I work 12hr overnights and some days as soon as we go available, we get hit with another job. After 6 consecutive calls, id be ready to eat a horse lol. That's why, I'll eat one of the small snacks (like Greek yogurt tubes or one serving of nuts) while my partner drives like a lunatic to the job (kidding).

    It is doable. I also have changed all my meals to to reflect the times I eat, rather than breakfast, lunch and dinner so that that my deficit is per 24 hrs, not per standard day.
  • msmccabe
    msmccabe Posts: 14 Member
    Yeah I'm notorious for bring food and then still going out and getting fast food when the partner stops. Fast food always seems to sound better tasting then the leftovers I brought. I thought of leaving my debit cards at home so I'm forced to eat the food I brought
  • msmccabe
    msmccabe Posts: 14 Member
    llbrixon wrote: »
    Have you tried IF (intermittent fasting)?

    Ive never done straight fasting before,but I did like juicing only during work. But honestly it doesn't provide the energy I need during a 24 hour shift. But the idea of taking away all my food option (fasting,juicing) for 24 hours has crossed my mind. I worked with a medic once who swore by lemon water, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper... and he said he lost weight that way, but I don't think that's my answer long term
  • blb_86
    blb_86 Posts: 61 Member
    I am a flight paramedic and also work 24 hour shifts. I pack my fit mark bag with my meals everywhere. I also use meal replacement shakes to help when I don't have access to a microwave or just need something really quick. I have been in the ems field for 9 years and I think I have finally perfected eating in the run. Feel free to add me or message me, I would love to give you some other tips. My diary is also open to friends so you can see what I eat on a busy 24 hour shift
  • msmccabe
    msmccabe Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks for the reply. I used to be 60 lbs lighter when I started this job 9 years ago. The eating part is hard for me and I've never figured out something I could stick with. I'll take a look at your diary and see some meal and snack ideas. What meal replacement do you use?
  • blb_86
    blb_86 Posts: 61 Member
    I use Isagenix shakes. I used their program to lose some weight, found I liked their shakes and have continued to use them. Buy a good cooler. I like my fit mark, it is my absolute life saver. I pack lots of food and easy snacks because I like to have options I often have double what I need. I also set an alarm on my phone to go off ever 2.5 hours to remind me to eat. Even if I am not hungry I still eat something which helps curb cravings later. I always have fresh fruit, veggies with hummus, yogurt, nuts protein bars, hard boiled eggs and some dark chocolate for snacks.

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