What do you eat at 5am for breakfast?

[sandyfeet]

I just started nursing school this week, and I have to eat my breakfast around 5am before class. During clinical it will be even earlier. My problem is that I have a hard time eating anything so early in the morning, especially when I am tired, stressed, and in a hurry! So far the only thing I can really eat is yogurt, and I'm worried that it won't be substantial for a long day on my feet at the hospital. I even bought sliced Hawaiian bread to "trick" myself into eating! And I am definitely NOT someone who avoids eating, so this problem is completely new to me. Please help! What are your favorites?

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

I don't want to be caffeine dependent. I'm not planning on drinking coffee unless I'm absolutely desperate. I've felt this way for awhile, and I'm not changing just because I'm in nursing school.

No coffee!! OMG! I may actually die (or kill a few students, lol ).

I struggle with this issue during every clinical rotation I teach, and have not found the perfect early morning fix. It does include coffee. I've gone between Instant breakfast, granola bars (I like the Special K ones), fruit (banana usually), yogurt drinks, and the like. Fortunately, for my students, I need some sort of mid-morning fix (as long as it doesn't interfere with morning meds). I start to get cranky if I need to eat, so we have to take a little break. So I can't fault them for needing something to re-fuel :)

[Jane Doe 1]

I mix granola (about 3/4C) into yogurt. Keeps you full for hours. I'm a big coffee fan, but if your concerned about digestion I'd stay away.

[Nicole Anderson]

If you have a hard time eating in the morning, you could try drinking your breakfast, i.e. Carnation Instant Breakfast, or some other type of protein drink. There is a really good one that I get at the gas station on my way to school, it is made by Naked Juice, called Protein Zone. It is all natural and has tons of good soy protein. It is very filling, sometimes I can't even finish the whole bottle, and it keeps me going all morning.

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

I hate eating when I first wake up. If i eat I feel so sick to my stomach it makes the day suck. I have to wait a few hours before I try to eat anything. But I eat a lot of what has been posted up there. Healthy and fast stuff.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Soft boiled egg, tall glass of milk, toast with nutella. And COFFEE!

[BluegrassRN]

1/2 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup granola, 1/2 cup fruit, a tablespoon of slivered almonds. If I needed to eat in the car, I'd just take a granola bar and some fruit. I make the granola bars myself, and they are substantial gut bombs.

I can't get through a clinical day without a big cup of coffee, but I always take a toothbrush because I get nasty coffee breath.

[Nurse Connie]

I set my coffee maker the night before. I need at least 2 cups of coffee before I leave the house! I make breakfast and take it with me. My earliest days are clinicals, which start at 8am. I usually make an egg & cheese on whole wheat or Pb on whole wheat, with a banana. I get to the hospital a little early and eat there. We don't usually take a break to eat so we can leave early, so I just take a cereal bar with me, and duck into the lounge for a minute and eat it.

[kenzbenz_09]

I make the granola bars myself, and they are substantial gut bombs.

oh YUM! How do you make them yourself? I'd love to try that!

[itsmejuli]

Weight Watchers has egg mcmuffin type breakfast in the freezer section. Yum!

On the way to work I eat a whole wheat muffin with peanut butter and banana.

And I'm a coffee addict, I drink at least 2 cups before I hit the road and take a cup with me in the car. I also bring a thermos of coffee with me to work. I think I'm going to start bringing my coffee thermos to school too. The coffee in the cafeteria sucks.

[IaCountryGirl]

I would do a smoothie made with protein powder and flax oil then some whole grain toast with peanut butter to go with. Both can be consumed in the car easily if you're short on time. Flax oil is kind of nasty by itself but if you blend it into a smoothie, you can't really taste it.

[choc0late]

I do the slimfast shakes as they tide me over for a good 2-4 hours pending how active my morning is This semester though I'm going to try to get up earlier and make my own protein shakes as I get like 32 ounces when I make them myself and they have fruits as well as protein. But, that snooze button always seems more enticing then making a shake, lol

[LuckyinKY]

I tend to a bagel with cream cheese or an english muffin and chocolate milk. The chocolate milk is nice and filling and seems to help with my sensitive stomach in the morning. I also frequently grab doughnuts on my way in, not healthy, but yummy.