After work food

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CyeRyn
CyeRyn Posts: 389 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I work 3rd shift. I generally have a very big appetite right after. I also tend to eat junk. I tell myself not to but I want something quick and easy so I can go to sleep ASAP. Thinking of trying a supplement or protein shake. Any suggestions of brands that won’t break the bank? Probably one with protein in it since I lack in that. Thanks in advance. (I will occasionally make myself eggs and toast so this wouldn’t be an every day after work thing. Just on my more exhausting days.)

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  • eznowjo
    eznowjo Posts: 50 Member
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    If you have 10 mins, I can give you a really quick recipe for tasty chicken wraps or just a bowl of tasty chicken n veg.
  • WholeFoods4Lyfe
    WholeFoods4Lyfe Posts: 1,518 Member
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    Can you meal prep? That way you have healthy, ready to grab food, and can just eat that instead? I personally would rather eat my calories than drink them. If you are really set on a meal replacement shake, there are tons of great recipes out there. My H eats a pretty healthy diet, but he's a big guy, so we do supplement for him with an occasionally shake. What we do is the following: 1C coconut milk, 1/2 avocado, 1 handful spinach, 2T cocoa powder (sugar free), 1 scoop collagen. Blend until smooth. We use this brand https://www.vitalproteins.com/
  • RadishEater
    RadishEater Posts: 470 Member
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    Sloppy Joes? That was what I ate last week. I made a big batch of the sloppy joe mixture and broccoli. To eat I just spoon some sloppy joe on the broccoli and heat in the microwave... takes ~1 min?
    I do this with alot of my foods, this week is it hungarian goulash over broccoli, next week will probably be slow cooker thai peanut chicken stuck in a spring roll wrapper with spinach.

    However you dislike eating same thing a couple days in a row, don't have time or want to cook in advance this option won't be sustainable.
  • ceiswyn
    ceiswyn Posts: 2,256 Member
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    Can you batch cook on any of the days when you're not working?

    I tend to make a big ol' pot of vegetable curry or chilli occasionally and freeze five portions. Then when I have a busy week, I leave a tub out to defrost and microwave it when I get home.
  • tlpina82
    tlpina82 Posts: 229 Member
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    If you want to go the supplement route, I recommend SCI-MX Nutrition PRO V-GAIN PROTEIN, Chocolate or Chocolate Spirutein. They're both vegan protein shakes, full amino profile, and a good vitamin supplement.

    I would, however; go for a ton of vegetables.
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
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    I would probably play it safe and go for yogurt and fruit if you don't want to spend time on the eggs. I would go for easy to digest foods right before going to bed so that you sleep comfortably and minimize the risk of acid reflux. I worked third shift for a period of time and I remember it was hard on me digestively. Maybe if you do it long enough you grow better accustomed but for me it was thankfully short.
  • nickssweetheart
    nickssweetheart Posts: 874 Member
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    OP, I hear you. When I was working overnights, if I didn't have an apple with me to eat as soon as I got off, I would find myself making bad choices. Being exhausted is hard enough on the willpower without adding hunger as well

    So here's what I did. When I packed my lunch for work, I always packed an extra apple or orange and I literally ate it in the car before driving home. Then when I got home, I had taken the edge off my hunger so I was okay with waiting 5 minutes to microwave a bowl of oatmeal, some leftover soup, a baked potato (topped with canned chili), or something similar. 5 minutes to cook, 10 minutes to eat, and in bed.

    Also on the last day of my workweek I treated myself. I'd still have my apple or orange, then stopped in the JITB drive thru on the way home and got a small french fry, if I wanted it. This worked really well the rest of the week because I told myself "I'll have my fries on Sunday, as I planned" if I was tempted to stop at one of the MANY fast food establishments on my way home. Then on Friday I'd have my curly fries. Or if I was too tired, I was just as happy to go straight home, because next Friday was always in the distance.

    I know you asked about protein drinks and I'm sorry I don't have any for you as I don't use them, but I hope this helps.

    Also, for a high protein meal that doesn't even take 5 minutes, I recommend: 1 can of black beans mixed with 1 can of corn and 3-4 tablespoons of jarred salsa. I usually find I can't finish it, and I am a hearty eater.
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 27,952 Member
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    CyeRyn wrote: »
    I work 3rd shift. I generally have a very big appetite right after. I also tend to eat junk. I tell myself not to but I want something quick and easy so I can go to sleep ASAP. Thinking of trying a supplement or protein shake. Any suggestions of brands that won’t break the bank? Probably one with protein in it since I lack in that. Thanks in advance. (I will occasionally make myself eggs and toast so this wouldn’t be an every day after work thing. Just on my more exhausting days.)

    I think eggs and toast is a great after work meal when one wants something fast and easy. If you need more calories/protein/fat add cheese and bacon. (We make a package of bacon ahead of time and freeze it.)

    You could also meal prep on your days off so you have food ready when you get home.

    I have protein (and fat and fiber) shakes for breakfast but they wouldn't work for me before bed due to my tiny bladder.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
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    another vote for meal prep
  • Cbean08
    Cbean08 Posts: 1,092 Member
    edited May 2018
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    Quesadillas! Keep a bag of tortillas on the counter, to remind yourself. Pre-shredded cheese and some frozen grilled chicken make a great filling. Microwave the chicken pieces for 1 minute while you heat the quesadilla pan. You could even add in some canned beans, spinach and salsa to the filling.

    If you really do just want a bar or a shake (or both), I like Clif Builder Bars. About 280 calories with 20g of protein. Or, buy a jar of protein (PES , Dymatize , Quest, Isopure) all make good protein powders with a bunch of flavors. Mix with water or milk depending on your calorie needs.

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