night shift

andlovesaidn0
andlovesaidn0 Posts: 65
edited October 2 in Food and Nutrition
im a support counsellor and sometimes i do 11-830am shifts and i find myself starving at night (could be from boredom/food prep for next day). should i just bring fruit to munch on or should i ignore the cravings since i dont eat during those times anyway?

Replies

  • Misslissa16
    Misslissa16 Posts: 15
    I'm an RN and i work 7pm-7am. I have the same issue. I just make sure that i exercise during the day before my first shift (earn a few extra calories) and then i use those to eat till midnight. After midnight i consider what i eat as the next days calories. Then i eat during the early morning hours and that accounts for the breakfast and lunch i sleep through when i get home from night shift. Seems to be working for me so far. If anything i seem to be short on calories when i work night shift. During the night i try to eat healthy though, cause over night shifts are the worst for my sugar cravings!! So i do cucumbers and oatmeal and cereal with milk. Regular kinda breakfast foods. Good luck!
  • limismith
    limismith Posts: 156 Member
    I used to work nights, and I agree it makes you feel snacky. I read somewhere that your body craves carbs when you are sleep deprived, and no matter how much sleep you get on night shift you are always tired!!!

    If you schedule is consistant (like 4 night shifts a week) I would adjust your meals accordingly. Eating a proper meal part way through your shift might help you stay awake and keep you from snacking away calories anyway. A handful or crackers 3 times during a shift can equal the calories of a real meal anyway.

    Good luck!!
  • _gwen
    _gwen Posts: 501 Member
    Try a high protein snack to help cut back cravings. roasted soy nuts, edamame, beef jerky, cheese stick and almonds.
  • andlovesaidn0
    andlovesaidn0 Posts: 65
    ill try the roasted soy nuts and keep them in my mail slot at work as i only work a few night shifts a month
  • andlovesaidn0
    andlovesaidn0 Posts: 65
    thanks for all the suggestions!
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