What do you pack for lunch??

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 26, 2008

I've been eating takeout meals at work lately, but I used to pack lunch as recently as earlier this year. Here is what worked for me during my 16 hour double shifts.

My shifts were from 6am to 10pm, so I'd pack 4 frozen meals with the idea that I'd eat something every 3 to 4 hours (6am, 10am, 2pm, and 6pm). If I tired of frozen meals, I'd take four other types of meals such as instant soup, turkey frank on a bun, oatmeal, cereal, sandwich, etc. I'd also pack a few snacks to eat between these meals, as well as about 3 diet sodas. This worked well for me, because I kept my weight down and my metabolism up.

hikernurse · Jul 26, 2008

I keep oatmeal in my locker along with some healthier granola bars. When I make soup, etc. I will put some in the freezer so it's easy to grab before work. Otherwise,at 0600 in the morning, packing a lunch is never worth the effort :rolleyes: .

A cold piece of fruit is pretty invigorating, too, in the middle of the shift. When I worked nights I'd eat oatmeal just before report then brush my teeth. Saved me a couple of steps at home and I didn't have that icky night shift breath to share with the day nurse. I'm sure that was appreciated :).

greenergrass, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

I have 2 favorite lunches:

Fruit & cheese plate with hummus & pita wedges
Amy's Organics frozen dinners (any)

I was really reluctant to do the frozen dinner thing for a while, but after getting stuck eating in the cafeteria (YUCK & so bad for me!), I caved in. They're actually wonderful & pretty healthy.

I also keep a Cliff bar with me at all times in case I get the munchies - it keeps the munchie monster at bay.

Sometimes, if I'm really being productive (or my husband makes them) I take fresh fruit cups.

Good luck!

Indy, LPN, LVN · Jul 29, 2008

This stuff changes over time. For now I always have coffee and splenda in there (our institutional coffee is horrible), sometimes I bring the creamer too, sometimes my coworkers do. Power bars or whatever meal/snack bar is my flavor of the month, carrots, a half of a peanut butter sandwich, juice, a small coke, and a container with my "meal" serving of whatever I cooked. Cooking is usually done at the beginning of the work week so I just throw a container of it in there before work.

Oh yeah, sometimes I throw in some yogurt. Let's see. I eat something about every 3 hours and try to save the meal bar for last around 0600ish. It's the protein, not heavy carbs or too much caffeine, that will keep me awake to drive home. I cut off coffee consumption around 0300. Since I normally put a heavy load of veggies in whatever I cook, my workweek menu is more healthy than my off-work menu, when I can just go through a drive through.

KarmaInMotion · Aug 5, 2008

Not a nurse at work yet, but when I started school again I came up with a quick good low cal and filling idea that I would store and bring with to school. I would make minestrone soup in a large sauce pan. Mix in left over or canned chicken, and some instant barley. Adjust it to what you preffer or how much you want to make. Can add more veggies that you like, chicken broth n more barley or more chicken. what ever to suite your taste. I did that for when I wanted to make something quick and healthy for the whole family for lunch too.

Sponkie · Aug 15, 2008

I'm diabetic but this is what I bring....I always bring 1 meal and several snacks

Breakfast at home or cafeteria before shift

Veggies and cottage cheese

Protein bar (like special k-90 calories)

apple or banana and PNB- sometimes I take the PNB pack in our kitchen

Actual Lunch

turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread

100 kcal chip package

diet coke

1 sugar free cookie or candy (if i feel like a sweet treat)

I tend to eat at 1000, 1300, 1600, and as I leave to go home (1900).

I keep sugar candy in my locker in case I drop.

S

HolisticNP · Aug 18, 2008

I work 12 hours-0745-0815pm. I get 1/2 hour for lunch and (2 )15 minute breaks. I don't find this particularly healthy for me, but I've learned to work around it.

I eat breakfast at home. I bring a sandwich made with double fiber bread, turkey or chicken and broccoli sprouts (high antioxidants). I bring cherry tomatoes because I'll buy chips otherwise.:nuke: I snack on health bars-I like the Kashi bars. I'll also bring a V-8 fusion or some other drink like that to try to get the veggies in. Sometimes I only eat 1/2 my sandwich at lunch because 1/2 hour goes real fast. I'll finish it during my later afternoon break. I drink a lot of water, and although it is not good for me, I drink a Diet Coke a day. I try not to eat when I get home, but I'm usually really hungry. I make some popcorn so I don't raid the fridge.

I try to keep it under 1500 calories a day, and I use fitday.com to track my nutrients-fat, fiber, vitamins... I don't always succeed at my goals, but I do better if I'm aware and keep track of it a bit.

I really have to think about it because it is so easy to eat junk.

Great question! Thanks for asking. I hope to get some tips.

Di Deanna · Jun 24, 2009

These are AWESOME ideas! So...as usual, I suppose I will be focusing on protein.

I only hope that I have a fridge in Nursing school..and/or at clinicals. If not, I am not sure what to pack. Yes..bananas...whole wheat crackers..oatmeal..but I dunno what to do as far as protein is concerned.

I, too, need to keep things at a solid 1,600 or less per day. Just so I can maintain a weight of like 140...I am 5'4 and this is really NICE on me

Di Deanna · Jun 27, 2009

i wanted to suggested the following as well:

* boiled eggs

* snack baggy of nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc.)

* beef jerky ( a few strips are great on the go)

* ham & cheese bagel

* canned tuna & cup of rice

* low fat triscuits ( so good)

* sparkling water ( to avoid dehydration & caffeine crashes)

* ramen noodles in the cup (high sodium, but so long as you just have one(and drink lots of water, it's quick and convenient)

* ants on a log (it doesn't take that long to make) --take celery stick, smear peanut butter down middle, and drop a few raisins on...wrap in foil to keep neat. this is great because it has a blast of protein, fiber, and natural sugar all in one.

i will add more as i think of them

NurseKitten, MSN, RN · Jun 27, 2009

I have recently lost the 30 pounds I put on when I started CRNA school with this:

Breakfast: I have a Bagelful (Kraft, frozen section), or a banana. With this, I will make a bottle of water mixed with some of the South Beach Diet water with 5g protein and 5g fiber.

Lunch: A Lean Cuisine (or something of that ilk), along with either an apple, or one of the Yoplait 100-calorie thick and creamy yogurts. (Have you HAD the Key Lime?? I can't tell the difference!)

Dinner: I let myself do a little more for dinner, because we often go out with friends or are up at church, etc. I'll go with whatever's being served, but if we're going out, I do try to be smart about a salad, etc. If they're serving something that's just AWFUL for us at church, I always have the powdered protein/fiber water mix with me, and I'll drink one of those along with just a tiny little bit of whatever they're serving.

Snacks: Popcorn, more protein/fiber water, string cheese, sippable soups (a little high in sodium, but something warm feels so good at 3 am) and my husband's homemade pumpkin mousse. (200 calories, BIG bowl, and I think he made a deal with the devil to get it that good and that guilt-free!)

Great ideas here, thought! Thanks for the discussion!

Di Deanna · Jun 27, 2009

that's great nurse kitten. i'm hoping that i can say the same thing in a few years.

but one of the things i noticed about a lot of nurses (now don't get mad people)::igtsyt:

many of you seem to consume a lot of fake sugar and/or artificial stuff.

:thnkg:i have a theory that it is toxic like you wouldn't believe. there are a few reasons,

esp. since my paternal grandparents have battled with cancer a total of 3 times in

the last 10 years and all they drink is diet sugar-free soda. they are they first people

on both sides of their family to have serious health problems. no one else ever has.

i have a few more observations, but i will not bore you with my scientific theories. :lol:

i figure, y'all are nurses & walk around all day. a can of the regular stuff (140 calories) isn't

going to kill ya. it's more "natural", if you will, and seems to satisfy your hunger more. plus,

you burn 140-220 cal/hr walking around. everytime i drink fake sugar i end up being

hungry....although i do have a bad liking for diet coke. but i am breaking the habit day by day.:heartbeat

:flowersfo