Night shift

[sylvia42 43]

I'm not even close to being banded yet it's gonna take a while because my insurance says I have to be on insurance a year . But I'm am still going thru the process have my second visit on the October 23 , with my nutritionist . My question is I work the night shift I'm trying now to change my habits on eating does any one else work nights and if so what do u suggests on what u can eat.. I always seem hungry and I just don't know what's the good times to eat.

[bahuber5477 88]

I am a nurse and I also do night shifts. Lets just say I think if I worked straight days I would be down another 20lbs but it is doable. My average night shift menu is a cut up apple with PB2 because it lasts a long time and it keeps me full. I also eat string cheese and sometimes a Protein Bar on night shifts. The key is packing things that keep you full and that are healthy. If you like raw veggies it may be an option for you otherwise just pick things you like so you dont go find a vending machine or a cafeteria. Another thing that helps me is that I have a Protein Shake before I go to sleep in the morning. When im really doing well I work out before I go to bed in the morning. By doing this and showering it relaxes me and i generally sleep very well. Its just finding a nitche. ITs very hard to stay within calorie goals when working nights but it is doable.

[bahuber5477 88]

Another little tid bit. I attempt to try to not eat after midnight. It does not always work for me but I feel the best when I do it. I drink Water and crystal light or sugar free coolaid like crazy all night.

[Kime-lou 648]

I lost weight while on night shift, not sure why, but here is what I did.

Ate a meal before going in or either took it with me to eat after report and rounds. Then I would eat a little something after midnight rounds. Then after I got off I would eat Breakfast (Light- fruit and or yogurt) and go to sleep.

I was always drinking something, which was good and bad. On slow nights going potty was something to do. On crazy nights (think full moon) I would think my eyes would float before I could get to potty. I tried to rotate between coffee and crytal light in very cold Water. To much caffine can make some people more hungry. For Snacks it was all fruit. Try adding flax seed and or wheat germ to meals, yougurt, cereal- this helps you stay full longer and has a lot of nutrients.

When I left the hospital and went to a "normal" job, I gained about 40 lbs. Go figure.

[sylvia42 43]

Well I'm trying to get in a habit now. I stared drinking a Protein Shake before I went to bed . That' worked good I'm going to start that again. I have to be honest I've been eating a taco after I get off work . I know it's not good but I'm going to work on changing that now. As far as eating I will start packing some carrots or something . That's a good idea . Thanks for advise

[catfish87 3,471]

I work rotating 12 hour shifts...two weeks of days, then two weeks of nights. I've been on rotating shifts for 20 years now. BY FAR, the hardest part for me is nighttime grazing because I'm bored. Not hungry, but bored...

When I'm on nights:

I get up usually around noon-1pm. Rarely by the alarm clock, which is set for 2pm. I will have some sort of Protein soon after waking, within 30 minutes normally. It may be just a Protein shot with some coffee if I don't feel "hungry". If I wake up feeling like I'm hungry, I'll make a shake with half a banana/ 25 grams of chocolate protein powder/ Ice/ almond milk/ sometimes PB2 as well. Then some sort of exercise for the day....

Unless I burn say more than 600 calories, I won't have anything after exercise except LOTS OF Water, before going to work at 5pm.

Around 6-8pm, I'll eat as much as I comfortably want of protein rich food...until I feel full! Not everyone feels this way, but I DO get full now. Then I'll have something very small, maybe a greek yogurt or a piece of cheese with a couple crackers around midnight. Then SOMETHING solid around 4am. (this is key for me....or else I want to snack when I get home in the morning, and that is a bad thing for me!) Maybe a couple tablespoons of Peanut Butter, some tuna, or some deli turkey breast. Off work at 5am, home and asleep around 7-8am.