Any healthcare/medical field personnel?

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CoppersMommy08
CoppersMommy08 Posts: 10 Member
in Getting Started
Hi everyone! Recently I've noticed that I've put on some of the weight I've lost and decided I was going to start using MyFitnessPal again. I was wondering from you guys, how do you manage to control your appetite and what you eat in high stress levels? When I started working as a nurse I noticed I could go 10+ hours without eating and not becoming hungry because of what I ate prior to my shift while keeping hydrated. Now, I cannot go past 6 hours without nibbling on something (usually a high sugar snack) or having a full blown meal in the middle of my shift. Then because I ate so much I become sluggish and feel so sick to my stomach after because I move around so much. Personally I can admit that I feel like I lost some control, especially since my stress levels have increased recently.

Any tips or tricks you guys have? I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks! o:)

Replies

  • Fflpnari
    Fflpnari Posts: 975 Member
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    I have snack with me usually, or protein shakes. I'm usually low on my protein goals. Sometimes I'll take 2 of those for a shift. My lunch break can be 7 hours into my 10 hr shift sometimes, that keeps me from getting hangry at pts and staff

  • MikilouB
    MikilouB Posts: 56 Member
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    Protein!! Nuts, cheese, hummus, etc. Sugary doesn't work for me...quick rise and big drop in blood sugar. I find the protein lasts longer.
  • CSARdiver
    CSARdiver Posts: 6,252 Member
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    My trick is water - I keep a 24 oz bottle handy and drain this through about 4 hours. I keep baggies of carrots, almonds, soy nuts, jerky, and other snacks that fill me up.
  • RemoteOutpost
    RemoteOutpost Posts: 44 Member
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    I'm a firefighter and I've been a paramedic for 14 years. The hours are so irregular and the action is so intermittent that it is just a matter of suffering quite a bit some of the time and dealing with the pain of hunger. If anyone has any others ideas I'd love to hear them too.
  • jenturner06
    jenturner06 Posts: 10 Member
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    I'm a nurse in a busy pediatric office and work days from 8-7. My morning drive comes from coffee. Sadly I do not eat breakfast, which I know is not good and probably makes my dieting routine less effective. Since starting my diet, I have only been eating salads with tons of fresh vegetables, but before my diet I would eat a too big meal and I also would feel very sliggish and regret it. Pre packing salads is working for me so far.
  • Miss_Hattie
    Miss_Hattie Posts: 49 Member
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    I'm a retired registered nurse. I doubt if sugary snacks are the best route. You'll need protein and maybe some crunchy snacks. If you're at work, you'll need to use good handwashing before any finger foods like a boiled egg, carrot pieces, celery sticks or pretzels. Also maybe those little beef and chicken broth packets. I would always put my serving sizes in a baggie marked with the calories so I could keep track. Keeping a Halo clemetine, an apple and some measured snacks in the car also makes it easier to avoid being tempted to pull over to a drive thru lane for fast food.
  • Chooklet57
    Chooklet57 Posts: 43 Member
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    Im an RN as well, but work more regular hours now. When I did shift work I ate quite erratically, high sugar high fat etc and was panic- stricken if I didn't eat because i felt faint...now Im more aware of hunger versus cravings and in order to wean myself off sugary drinks and snacks, a few years ago I would eat BBQ chicken (protein) if i felt like something sweet or tasty. That way I was full for longer, but not with the highs and lows of sugar. I switched from white or wholemeal bread to soy -linseed (Burgen). Switching to the higher protein was good for my brain to re-educate it away from excess sugar. I no longer dink soft drinks or cola, just sparkling mineral water. Now I cook my own chicken so don't buy the BBQ version with the added fat/ save $ (for a personal trainer!). I agree with MikiLouB - nuts, yoghurt, cheese for snacks. I pre bag the nuts to about 30g sizes and at least if I am ravenous, I am prepared and don't resort to junk. Log it all with MFP. You will learn what satisfies you and how long you can go without a main meal. BTW A great book for me was Becks Diet Solution. Good luck!
  • crackpotbaby
    crackpotbaby Posts: 1,297 Member
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    I'm a nurse who does 10 hour shifts.

    Portioned nut servings in my locker. Fruit to quickly eat between cases. Packed lunch from home to eat *whenever* I get my break regardless of whether I'm hungry.

    Lots of water, and never take the lift unless you're escorting a patient.
  • dpwellman
    dpwellman Posts: 3,271 Member
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    My ex is an intensivist. I know she was a fan of Larabar minis at one point.She curtailed caffeine consumption. She brings her own food from home and only eats that.

    I'm not a medical professional, but I'm in DevOps and 10 hour days are not uncommon (0530-1530) for me. I don't take "lunch." There's no designated breaks. I do a lot of planning in advance-- I make sure that food I enjoy and is within my calorie budget is available at work if I need it. Quest bars or, better, Oh Yeah ONE bars are spendy, but do the trick for when I know I need energy but don't feel especially hungry. There's a regional favorite called Grab the Gold. Also good. I tried to make something similar once, didn't turn out so well. I have a protein powder that mixes with water. Tastes horrible, but works.
  • dgsocwrkr
    dgsocwrkr Posts: 9 Member
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    I'm a medical social worker in a busy cancer center. I definitely hear you and would love to share tips and motivation. Add me if you'd like. Good luck!
  • NanP135
    NanP135 Posts: 219 Member
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    I am a PT and work on the road in home care, I pack snacks and have fruit or nuts, grapes work great and then make a sandwich everyday so I don't need to go buy anything. Also water is a big part of my day and helps with avoiding sugary snacks
  • CoppersMommy08
    CoppersMommy08 Posts: 10 Member
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    Thank you everyone for your suggestions! It's gonna take some time for me to adjust and try different snacks out but I'm hoping that I will be able to get down a routine soon!
  • natscat77
    natscat77 Posts: 1 Member
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    I'm a pediatrician, recently out of residency and I packed on 40 lbs after starting residency. The irregular hours and stress take their toll. And being around a bunch of female "stress bakers" didn't help. I'm trying to pack healthy lunches and snacks for my 24 hr shifts in the nursery now. If I'm running late, I often pick up a prepackaged lentil salad from Peets for lunch and it seems to fill me up. I'm determined to get this weight off despite the crazy demands that are put on me that often get me reaching for a donut in the break room.
  • yoherbs421
    yoherbs421 Posts: 160 Member
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    MikilouB wrote: »
    Protein!! Nuts, cheese, hummus, etc. Sugary doesn't work for me...quick rise and big drop in blood sugar. I find the protein lasts longer.

    Yes. When I'm on the floor its protein all the way with minimal carbs.
  • yoherbs421
    yoherbs421 Posts: 160 Member
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    natscat77 wrote: »
    And being around a bunch of female "stress bakers" didn't help.

    Haha "stress bakers" I'm dying here...
  • CoppersMommy08
    CoppersMommy08 Posts: 10 Member
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    I did not realize that I had more responses on here! But to update I have been able to cut back on the binge-ing in the middle of my shift and instead mainly have been eating the fresh fruits and salads available (especially bananas) when things get settled down in the shift. I've been able to lose the extra few that I've gained and maintain my weight now
  • Bradley_J84
    Bradley_J84 Posts: 110 Member
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    I keep protein shakes and mini carrots in the fridge.

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