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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?
I wake up at 5:15 (2 hour drive to school, class starts at 8:15). Sometimes I eat a quick bowl of cereal (granola, milk) before I leave, if my carpooling buddy is driving, I might bring a container of greek yogurt and some granola to mix in. I set up the coffee the night before, so all I have to do is start it in the morning. I also bring almonds, fruit, or something to eat during the breaks.
I'll have cereal, yogurt with some fruit. I hate eating in the morning too. I'm going to experiment a little this semester. I'm not going to have anything in the a.m., but instead carry a little baggie of almonds/peanuts/raisins/crackers with me. I see nurses on the units carry snacks and openly eating them in the nursing stations all the time, so that is what I'll do. I also make myself a cup of hospital coffee (yuck, but it works). That should sustain me til lunch and I won't have to wake up earlier to eat breakfast.
I was getting concerned, the first few posts never mentioned COFFEE! Lol
I didn't mention it with my 1st response because coffee is a given! I keep my mug in the bathroom with me and drink it while I'm getting ready and then pour some into a to-go mug to take in the car with me....along with my breakfast. I can't imagine a world without coffee...I'd crawl into a hole a die!
A Luna Good Morning bar, usually blueberry. I don't like eating until around 10am or so, but then I was getting sick on clinical days because we had to be there so early. I bought those Luna bars and they are yummy, chock full of good for you things, and they are not too heavy on the tummy. Also, a couple of scrambled eggs with cheese on a tortilla go a long way too but I can't fathom getting up in the morning and making that for breakfast before clinical!
I usually eat around 5:30 on clinical days. It's 12 hours, and while we do get time for lunch I never know when I'll get it. I'm diabetic (though on a pump so have more flexibility) so I go for protein and fiber. I'm a big fan of PB&J on whole wheat bread....or a bowl of Cheerios. Either way a full serving of milk which keeps my BS level happy. It depends on how much time I have. A big mug of coffee and Nature Valley granola bars come with me. I keep a box in my car....that way if I'm getting the "hey it's your diabetes coming to screw with you!" feeling I can duck into a staff room and munch some granola. I get the healthy kind - not the candy bar disguised as a health treat stuff. It's 30g of carb per serving so it's a perfect snack for me.
For class (when I have the luxury of sleeping till 7:30!) I like a scrambled egg and cheese sandwich on wheat toast. I usually bring an apple or yogurt to munch on during lecture. Coffee comes to class with me too!
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For those of you that go the smoothie route, do you find that it fills you up for a while? The thought of eating so early makes me feel sick, but a smoothie sounds good.. I just wonder if it would sustain me.. Would you guys recommend protein powder (or will it pack on pounds)?
I will be getting up at 5 for clinicals... Which is basically the middle of the night to me, and I don't mind eating at night, so maybe I'll be okay.
A bowl of oatmeal usually keeps me full for several hours. Items such as pop tarts are high in sugar & fat and will not satisfy you for very long. If you are not a breakfast eater or its just too early in the am, stick a protein bar in your pocket and try to have something like juice or breakfast drink like Carnation Instant breakfast. That will satisfy you for a while too.
BluegrassRN
1,188 Posts
Sent you a pm with the recipe.