Night shifts and eating

curvylady1
curvylady1 Posts: 30 Member
edited November 11 in Food and Nutrition
Hi everyone!!

I am a student who works night shifts during the weekend...friday, saturday and sundays. Love the job, however it gets in the way of my dieting.

On the first day of work, I eat the whole day...breakfast, lunch NAP, dinner....and then at around 1-2 o'clock at night I am hungry again....I try not to eat...but it no good starving.

Saturday and sunday is usually fine as I wake up late and push the whole eating programme forward and have dinner at around 22-23 in the evening.

Does anyone do night shifts, how do you plan your day?

Any help, advice is appreciated.

Replies

  • carolinenorthrup
    carolinenorthrup Posts: 34 Member
    I'm a nurse and I work the night shifts too. Before starting MFP, I used to essentially eat a fourth meal around 1-2am thinking I HAD to or I wouldn't make it. But now I just bring a small snack (wheat thins or almonds) and drink PLENTY of water and tea throughout the night if I start to get hungry. Surprisingly that has been enough.

    One night, the smell of someone's food was too tempting and I ended up eating a 6" sub (about 400cals) at around 1-2am. To compensate, I just didn't eat breakfast when I got home from work that morning.

    Basically, just try to compensate throughout the day (either the day before or the day after) for the calories you plan to consume overnight. Hope that helps.
  • curvylady1
    curvylady1 Posts: 30 Member
    Hi Caroline.

    Yeah I should try having a snack. Hopefully it will help. I read somewhere that one shouldn't eat when one nigh shifts, hat's why I've been worrying...also the whole day eating.

    Hahah I've had those binges as well...someone always gets up and eats a full meal in the middle of the night...one gets weak. ;)

    Thanks, and good luck on your journey. =)
  • lsprik
    lsprik Posts: 11 Member
    I work the night shift at a hospital. My MFP calorie day starts at midnight. I will bring a lunch (which I log my calories in lunch at MFP). Come home and eat a light breakfast and log breakfast calories. Sleep during the day. Then I have Dinner and log Dinner calories. As long as you don't go over your alotted calories, you'll be ok. (I also squeeze in exercise with a Jillian Michael's DVD and exercise on my elipitcal three to five times per week.
  • curvylady1
    curvylady1 Posts: 30 Member
    Hi Isprik.

    Does it work to do that? I was under the impression I shouldn't eat at night...that's why I've been feeling bad when eating after midnight...

    Also I can't seem to get organized as I only do 3 night shifts 2-3 times a month. My minds a bit shocked I suppose.
  • lsprik
    lsprik Posts: 11 Member
    I work part-time midnight shifts, and yes my mind and body can get a bit off "kilter". As long as I don't go over my calories within a 24 hr period, I still lose my goal of 1 lb per week. :wink:
  • curvylady1
    curvylady1 Posts: 30 Member
    That's good new!

    Feel less worried now.

    THANKS! =)
  • ssappy44
    ssappy44 Posts: 17 Member
    Same as the others.. work nights in Emergency 3p-3a shift. It's really hard when you have to flip-flop shift times so I just have empathy for you in any routine, let alone diet. I don't have a problem eating at night because I'm running my hiney off the whole time and have been on nights the last 13 years. I account for my days calorie intake by when I wake up... not the midnight time. This way I can plan and account for my meals/ cals before I even get to work and if I need to adjust it a bit, I do it when I get home in the morning.

    I have breakfast before I leave... around 300 cals. then snack on my two 15 min breaks (wheat crackers or veggies and humus, balance bar, apple, etc.) then dinner around 9pm. Then it's usually crystal light for the rest of the shift..or perhaps a natural fig bar or womens balance bar.

    Again, good luck with the changing schedules... it makes everything difficult..diet, sleep, planning you day...best to you!
  • curvylady1
    curvylady1 Posts: 30 Member
    Hi Sappy44.

    It must be different in the emergency unit...I do move around, but probably not as much as you.

    Although a bit tricky, I realise I must get a routine to stick with. You have quite a good set-up, I might steal it. ;)

    Well done, you for managing with both the schedule and the dieting. =)
  • Chanels_mom
    Chanels_mom Posts: 45 Member
    Hello!

    I am currently on night shift, as I work 12hrs rotationg shifts. I usually workout when I get off, then eat breakfast. I usually sleep throughout the day. If I am hungry when I get up around lunch time I eat some yogurt and go back to bed. When I get up to start my night, I don't eat again until 7pm. After that I do my best to have water, herbal tea, or if I must a piece of fruit and nothing else.
  • zincalloy
    zincalloy Posts: 43
    I'm just starting my night shifts now. I work 7 nights in a row once a month.

    I love them. I have my main meal about 9pm before going to work at 10pm.

    I eat nothing at work as I am pretty much full for the rest of the night. I drink plenty of water and 1 or 2 cups of tea.

    I do anything between 800 and 2000 reps with a 28lb dumbell during the night at work.

    Get home in the morning at 7am, straight to bed. Up at 11 to collect my youngest from nursery. Have a light lunch about 12.Collect the other 2 kids at 3pm. My wife gets home from work at 5pm and I grab another 2-3 hours sleep. Up again at 8ish and before you know it I'm eating a very filling main meal. I also try and fit in 2 or 3 30 minute workouts during the week on a crazy exercise machine my sister gave me.

    The other good thing for me is I go 7 days in a row without alcohol as well which can only do me good.

    This, for me, is the best shift for losing weight. On my lates it's ok but my earlies is the toughest.

    But so far I'm finding it ok.
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