Working long days and food

Get a binder, a notebook, make a word document, whatever, and start keeping track of foods/meal ideas that work for you. My biggest problem is not being able to think of anything to make when I know that there are SO many options. I work 13ish hour shifts varying from 3-5 days a week, so the day before I plan out my food for the week. Usually I do the same main meal every day (makes it easy to prep and also track in MFP because I just have to make one recipe), sometimes the same snacks but sometimes I mix it up based upon what I need to use up. Luckily, I usually have access to a fridge and microwave but if I don't I just bring cold stuff and put an ice pack in my bag. I also have other stuff to bring to work and got really tired of carrying a backpack and a lunch box, so I got this amazing bag off of Amazon. It's perfect for me, but there are a ton of options for cooler bags. I initially ordered this one and it is very nice as well. I only sent it back because the top compartment wasn't big enough to fit my school textbook, but it's got plenty of room for other stuff.

Anyway, I make an outline of what I want to make, make a grocery list and get that stuff, then come home and cook for a couple hours and portion everything out so it's just grab and go. I usually do either a giant salad or some slow cooked meat and veggies that keep well in the fridge. I'm a huge fan of crock pot stuff that I can throw in and spend the rest of my day doing other chores. Some examples of stuff I like to do:

Salad with spinach, balsamic roasted brussels sprouts, roasted carrots, no sugar added dried cherries, goat cheese crumbles, bacon, chicken cooked in the crock pot with some balsamic vinegar, and a dressing of a quality extra virgin olive oil with some vinegar

Pot roast cooked in the slow cooker. I sear it on the stovetop, then throw it in the crock pot with salt and pepper, italian seasoning, onions, carrots, potatoes, and maybe a little bit of vinegar or red wine. Throw it in there and leave it alone all day.

If I'm super lazy I will do some pre-packaged foods like Costco burrito bowls (DELICIOUS), black bean burgers with sweet potatoes (those are homemade but frying them up or roasting if you prefer doesn't take long), For snacks, I like plain full fat yogurt and berries, pistachios, protein bars, and apples with peanut butter. I should also mention that I do intermittent fasting, so I get up for work at 4am, but only eat from noon until 8pm. Honestly, it's not hard once you get used to it and I feel AMAZING. I feel mentally sharp, it makes it easier to eat less calories, and it's one less meal to prep. So I eat lunch at noon, my snack at 3, and dinner cooked at home around 7.

It takes awhile to get a rhythm and if you make a new recipe sometimes it just isn't great, but once you establish meals that work it kind of takes the thinking out of it. I am so sorry I rambled so much haha but I hope this was somewhat helpful!