[Squishy90]

Hi everyone! I have a bit of a problem because a couple of nights a week i work an overnight shift from 10pm to 8am, and I have to be awake of course. My daily intake is 1200, but then at night when i start work, I've already used up my calories, and then can't eat for like 10 hours. Well I admit, I do eat at work..lol.. but I don't know if i'm doing the right thing

[seagirl]

I would start when you wake up for the day, and end when you go to bed. If you are up for 24 hours, then I'd up my calories to 1800 or so for that day. Make sure you are eating lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats and staying hydrated. Don't snack on pretzels, chips, candy, white breads, etc.

[midwife]

I count from midnight to midnight and plan according to my anticipated sleep/wake/work cycle.

[lackadaisy]

I usually count sleep-to-sleep (because I often skip breakfast and also eat at midnight). But I've heard this is a horrible idea in terms of body metabolism (you should eat more when you've just gotten up, etc). While you're overnighting, I'd say eat no more than once every 3-4 hours and make sure to count it to one day or another -- it really doesn't matter when, as long as your weekly average is the right number, after all. Your body will adjust.

[Squishy90]

Thanks guys! That helped a lot. I ended up eating about 1600 instead of the usual 1200

[Vladadog]

I work nights 3 or 4 nights a week. On the days I don't work I revert to "normal" sleep patterns. The only thing that works for me is to go midnight to midnight for calorie counting.

On the days I'm working i tend to not have a main or big meal because just a series of 200 to 300 calorie "snacks". I also don't get regular sleep those days, just a couple 2 hour naps....