Breakfast before a 12 hour shift..

[MJB2010]

What do you usually eat? I find myself running out the door without breakfast......what do you make?

[DroogieRN]

Usually a slice of bread spread with peanut butter and then folded over and eaten on the way, or maybe a little egg sandwich if I have eggs -- have to have some protein. One morning I grabbed a pop tart and then when my blood sugar dropped back down around 0930, I nearly passed out.

[heartflutter, ADN, BSN]

Egg in a basket with peanut butter. Or a bagel with cream cheese and avocado.

[GHGoonette, BSN, RN]

I time my meals to take place every 5-6 hours, so in order not to get too hungry before I get home, my first meal will be about 8h30-9 (morning tea). Lunch 13h00-14h00, dinner at home round about 20h00.

Breakfast: 2 eggs prepared without oil, OR low-fat cheese, OR 100g lean meat (rarely have that)

Sliced tomatoes & cucumber, or salad

2 low-carb crackers or 1 slice of low-GI bread.

Have you all guessed I have a weight problem?

[iNurseUK, RN]

It is a long-standing tradition at my hospital if you are on the Early shift at a weekend one person goes to the hospital canteen and gets breakfast.

Bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, hash browns toast, tomatoes and fried bread. Or any combination thereof.

A fine tradition!

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

Protein shake in a form of a smoothie is what I would start out with before venturing out to the graveyard shift. If you don't feed your brain, it won't have anything to run on.

When there is absolutely no time I would do the "shake" on the go type drink where you buy one of those plastic containers that look like a sports drink thermos that have the steel round mixer ball in them (they also have a screw on lid with a flip opening). You can then throw the protein powder, milk and yogurt in and shake as you go out the door; no blender needed (they work really well).

Either way protein powder mixed with your choice of fluid is an excellent way to get quality protein into your system as opposed to sitting down and attempting to eat a meal. Depending on what you put in the drink it's a good way to get daily calories as well. When I have time I do the blender with the works; soy protein, milk, fruit, yogurt a dash of honey just because and voila!

There are man types of protein powders out there on the market today; it's all about personal choice and cost. I do buy the Muscle Milk powder when of sale; I use that post work-outs.

I use soy protein and have been doing the shake thing for years. My body got use to all that good stuff and I actually cut down big time on meat without even realizing it. I use the smoothies as a supplement to my diet and it works well.

[sourapril]

Something you can do is to prepare your breakfast the night before and microwave it in the morning while you brush your teeth or something. You can make French toasts, omelet, oatmeal, and even hard boiled eggs. I like to make some juices or smoothies the next before and put it in a cup and in the morning I can just take the cup and go.

[SlightlyMental_RN]

It is a long-standing tradition at my hospital if you are on the Early shift at a weekend one person goes to the hospital canteen and gets breakfast.

Bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, hash browns toast, tomatoes and fried bread. Or any combination thereof.

A fine tradition!

God, I love a full English breakfast. You guys rock.

[itsmejuli]

I can't do anything in the morning without breakfast.

Peanutbutter and banana on a whole wheat english muffin. Takes 2 minutes to make :) I also pack enough food so I can eat something every 2-3 hours. My blood sugar drops if I don't eat.

[littlemammanurse, BSN, RN]

I prepare my breakfast the night before.I put Kashi 7 Whole Wheat cereal in a container, with pumpkin seeds mixed with it.I put soy milk in it when I get to work and then eat it with a banana.Keeps me full plus its healthy!

I am a vegan so I try to supplement healthy foods whenever possible.I also buy soy shakes or vegan protein meal replacement bars because they are easy to grab.I usually eat this with a fruit like an apple,banana or sometimes a handful of berries.This helps keep me full before first break.

[StarryEyed, RN]

The last few times I've actually just toasted a sliced of bread, put a slice of cheese on it and walked out the door. Sometimes I'll also eat a yogurt in the car. This morning I had time to make scrambled eggs with a sliced hot dog in it :-P

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

1 cup coffee with one creamer, 1/2 bowl of Special K with strawberries or banana with 1% milk, and 1/2 bowl of oatmeal, and one yogurt to go, plain vanilla.

2 hours later, I eat a banana...that CAN lasts me until 2-3 p.m, but I usually eat lunch before then. I do not let myself get hungry and can snack in between...peanuts, sunflower seeds, an apple, etc.,

Edit to add: I always make it a point to take care of me and my well-being because frankly, no one else will. Unless someone is circling the drain, you'd better believe I will find a quiet little corner and make sure I drink my water or eat a banana. No compromise.