work 12 hour days

  •   #1  
    emsbrat's Avataremsbrat , 11-30-2006 06:21 PM
    I work 12 hour days on an ambulance, can you offer a diet or some ideas to take to work? i work from 8am- 8pm

    thanks, working on babyfat!
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  •   #2  
    Tara D's AvatarTara D , 11-30-2006 06:50 PM
    Maybe think about things that you would put in a brown bag lunch if you were sending a kid to school. I'm assuming you don't have access to a microwave or refrigerator?

    Sandwich, fruit, +/- pretzels might be one lunch.

    If you have a thermos, maybe soup with a hunk of bread and a fruit? You could also do a salad instead of (or in addition to) the soup.

    You could get an insulated lunch bag/ice pack to help keep cool things cool.

    If you have a fridge/microwave...possibilities are unlimited!
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  •   #3  
    jillybean720's Avatarjillybean720 , 12-02-2006 10:35 AM
    My sister used to be a volunteer rescue EMT, and I have ridden along on a few 12-hour shifts with them. I know it must be difficult because the others probably want to go grab some fast food or something during the shift, huh? Anyway, I am guessing you do have access to a fridge and microwave when you are at the station. You could pack pretty much anything cold and take it in an insulated lunch bag with you, and you could nuke hot things in the microwave when you have a few minutes at the station. Any kind of sandwich (on whole grain bread, of course), fruit, cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, leftovers, soups, salads...you name it!
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  •   #4  
    Jennifer 3FC's AvatarJennifer 3FC , 12-03-2006 11:17 AM
    I work 12 hour shifts also (they're only meant to be 8 ) and I do best when I have a LOT to choose fromt. Most of the people I work with get take out and I'm SO WEAK to restaurant food. Here are a few things that help me:

    Eat early. If I eat lunch at 11, I'm not going to buy pizza with everybody at noon.

    Bring various textures/types of food. Yogurt, fresh fruit, soup, cottage cheese, sandwiches, frozen dinners, a plate of leftovers, etc. Especially left overs - usually people tell me that it smells good, looks good etc and that makes me feel not so punished that I'm not eating a slab of lasagna and a baguette of garlic bread! In short, if I have more to choose from, I'm more likely to eat.

    Snack/graze. No need to eat a lot at one meal. Have a cheesestick and an apple. Then if you are on a run and somebody wants McDonalds, you aren't really hungry so you'll be fine with a salad.

    Have a good magazine or book to share lunch with. Don't make that bowl of soup your focus. Then you're thinking about how you're only eating a bowl of soup, and wouldn't ______ be good also. Have your soup while you have some YOU time. No babies, husbands, grocery shopping or cleaning on your mind. Just indulge a bit and rest while you re-fuel.

    Hope this helps!
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