Shift work and eating
 

Does anyone have any hints on foods to eat during night shifts? And when to eat? I work 10 to 12 hour shifts.

This is something I could use help with too. I seriously can not get myself on any sort of schedule. :(

What have other people found that works?

I too work nightshifts on a 4 on / 4 off basis. I tend to eat a bit more on my first night because I'm eating during the day and then eating at night. But on the day I finish, I eat less, because I still sleep for some of the day.

As far as food is concerned, I make sure I have plenty of fruit with me, soup and a sandwich and stuff that is low-cal and low fat, it seems to work.

When I worked nights I'd eat a small meal when I got home in the morning and a second, more substantial meal an hour or so before going to work. During my breaks I'd snack on fruit or low-fat cheese on whole grain crackers.

I've actually had more trouble maintaining a consistent schedule since I started working days.

I wish you the best of luck finding what works for you.

I am a nurse and work night/weekends and we were talking about this very thing last night. A coworker who is having gastric bypass surgery in just a few weeks said that when she met with her clinical dietician, that even she really couldn't figure out a eating good schedule for us night people! I usually bring low fat yogart, fruit, protein bars, etc. with me, although a lot of time I'll end up bringing it right back home when I cave in and order take out with everyone else!

I dunno, but now I have Kenny and George in my head. "7-3, 3-11, 11-7" :D (Smile and nod if you have no clue what song I'm talking about)

LOVE that song. And it's totally the first thing I thought of when I saw the title of this post :)

I work in consulting, and we work crazy hours. Not quite the same as shift work, but a lot of times my team skips meals. I keep packets of instant oatmeal as a low-cal snack that I can heat up pretty quickly if I'm starving. I find them to be more filling than yogurt or a granola bar.

Shift work outdoors?
 

Anyone a paramedic, cop, or firefighter? Or any similar job where most of the shift work is done outside of a building?

The food/dieting issues in those jobs must be tremendous :(.

I have problems taking nutritious food working 9-4 out of my car. I need a mini microwave that plugs into my cigarette lighter ;). And a tiny, diesel powered fridge for my trunk. And a teeny weeny chemical toi . . .

Dagmar :coolsnow:

I too work nights, I work one 14 and 2 13 hr shifts. I just take a few things and keep some snacks in my desk to munch on. I usually eat before I come in, then about midnight I eat "lunch" then I eat when I get home. I snack in between there if I am hungry or am not busy. lol. But I usually don't actually snack that often. ;)

Mudpie -- How about those meals that all you got to do is add water and it heats up? I think Dinte Moore Makes them, they should be in the same aisle as beef stew/ravoli and stuff, not sure how "healthy" their meals are, but a thought.

BTW -- I thought of Kenny and George's song too when I saw this thread. lol.

Take care fellow Nightshifters!!!

:hug:

Night shift
 

I worked nights for many years. The one problem I encounter is that I'm very hungry after work. Nursing is very active and usually I work 12 hour shifts. I find this type of schedule to be best. I eat once before and after work and have a meal and a couple snacks at work. I count calories over 24 hours and always count starting at the same time. I usually eat my main meal around midnight

.I also don't change my schedule too much I go to bed around 4 am on days that I'm not working, so I have some daylight time. If you flipflop when you get off work on the last night have a substantial meal. Then go as long as you can. eat very lightly over the day if at all then have an early breakfast at 4pm. remember eating during the day for us is like eating at night for those on day shift. So if you have to it should be light and low calorie.

Another thing I found helpful is have a long walk or other workout after work. This helps get through that really hungry time and decreases the appitite