IP and Shiftwork
 

Hello fellow IPer's

I need a little advice. I work at a government agency that is a 24 hour operation, and my time has come to work my sunrise rotation. I have not been on IP while working the sunrise shift, so I just need some advice.

I start tonight a 9pm. So I will "try" and take a nap at some point today, eat a normal dinner with my husband tonight at a normal dinner hour. (6-7pm) and then I will eat IP food throughout my night.

But my issue is, since tonight is my first night, I really don't sleep much or at all during the day. I am not a napper. So, I am pretty much eating throughout the day as well. So I am eating from this morning until tomorrow morning. I'm going to say around 5-7 IP products. is that Bad?

Should I be eating so many IP products? Or should I just eat a salad overnight?

Don't know what to do. :(

You shouldn't be having two to four extra packets just because you are staying up all night. In a 24 hour period, you should be eating what is on your sheet - maybe one extra packet because you are going to be active for a longer period of time, but two to four is a bit excessive. You may want to consider splitting your dinner protein - have 4oz at dinner, then save 4oz for work and have it over a lettuce salad. That way you are eating something of substance besides lettuce, but not overdoing it.

I just recently worked 2 overnight shifts, 1 unplanned, and had a snack later in the evening, the equivalent to an extra pack. When I worked straight nights, I never liked eating a full meal so late, even when we did get take-out or bring in goodies.

I currently work 3-11. I just had my 1st pack around 11. Will have a second pack before I go or bring a drink to work. I eat dinner between 6:30-7:30 and have a snack when I get home. Sometimes I make a huge bowl of lettuce and use Southwestern cheese curls as croutons.

I would also suggest caffeine free herbal tea, which helps me when the knosh monster strikes.

GL!!

thanks for the advice.. it's just today that Im worried about. I get home at 6am tomorrow morning and go right to bed. I know I will sleep at least 9 hours. (Granted that my neighbor's dog doesn't bark all day). So I will be back on track come tomorrow night. (my day is my night/ vice versa)

I don't get too hungry overnight, but when I do, I eat very light. So I might eat an IP soup overnight, and I also made muffins with my IP packets, so I could eat 2 of those (they are very small) for breakfast around 4am.

And take out an IP packet this afternoon.

might be ok doing that.

You could always have a 2 egg-white omelet instead of your afternoon IP packet, that way you still have something to carry you through the day but aren't going overkill on the packets.

thank you! I might actually do that. :)

I work crazy shift work too. My coach told me on my midnight shift that it was okay to add a packet because I need to eat every four hours.

I have worked nights for years 12.5 hour shifts with a 45 mile commute in rush hour traffic .Friday night the 1st night I will add an extra packet to make the adjustment from the day to night schedule.:D
On my way to work I will drink a protein shake but I drink it slowly so might have a half filled with extra water and ice,and then will finish the rest.
I count the day over@ midnight ..then I eat probably hopefully by 1Am but it could be probably is later and I will have a protein shake will charting .
I eat in the morning 1/2 by protein and veggie and a protein shake..and go to sleep . I will get up and eat the other 1/2 protein and some veggies, save some veggies to eat at work like the crunch and that satisfies oral stim I need.
This way I am sure to not miss getting everything in for the day.
Sometimes I have tried to take protein in form of Tuna packet and maybe I would not be able to fit it in because of busy assignment, so adjustments are made.:dizzy:
Or on return trip home I will have a protein shake.
The next day is back 3 packet day.
I am very picky eater and have found this system works well for me and keeps me on target.
Everyone finds what is their own sweet spot:carrot:
Good Luck, Roo2:carrot::carrot::carrot::carrot:
My Coach is complete agreement and 4 packets plus Blueberry Cran Granata for
1st night has not hurt with weight loss in anyway:D
:dizzy::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::wo ohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::woohoo::wooh oo::woohoo::drinkup::drinkup::goldpot:

I would eat every 4 hrs while you are awake-a meal or a packet just like you would if you were up all day.

Also, my coach told me that the bedtime drink should be within 2 hrs of whenever you go to sleep.