What do you eat at 5am for breakfast?

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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?

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

Sent you a pm with the recipe.

Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

I guess I am the only junk food junkie here. When I was in my ADN program, I remember scarfing a Hostess fruit pie and a Pepsi before morning clinicals. Of course, I was eighteen-nineteen at the time...

Couldn't even look at that stuff without gaining fifteen pounds now! :eek:

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.

Specializes in Operating Room.

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!

I have a really good smoothie recipe.

One banana

4 large strawberries

1/2 cup of milk

5 ice cubes

1 teaspoon of special kay cereal (or something similar)

blend in the blender till smooth

This is really good and healthy

Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Really, I just drink lots of coffee. If I'm really hungry then I like smart one's breakfast hot pocket things. They're really good and low fat :)

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!

Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

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!

I

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Wow, thanks everyone! So many great replies. It's also a big comfort to see that other people have trouble with this too. I am going to revisit this post often!

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. :lol2:

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.

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