Anyone cutting sugar while working nights??

CVmursenary · May 15, 2011

lost a few pounds in 2 nights? wow

anzean_rn · May 15, 2011

My unit finds some excuse to have a "party" at least once a week (so and so's birthday, baby shower, or let's just throw a party because it's a Tuesday, etc etc) which ALWAYS involves cake, cookies, and candy. It makes it very hard to stay away from the sugar! My coworkers are obsessed! Luckily away from work I eat a pretty healthy diet - I try and convince myself i have a good balance...

pecanpies · May 15, 2011

Stick with it and the side effects should pass, unless there's any underlying health condition. I recently gave up added sugars (by "sugar" I mean added sucrose and high fructose corn syrup) for 1 month. I didn't eat any food (other than fruit) that had more than 3g of sugar per serving. I made sure to eat plenty of whole wheat bread & pasta, legumes, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. Still, the side effects the first week were horrible. I was incredibly hungry, tired, occasionally light-headed, and at times even irritable. This all passed, and I eventually felt much, much better, but it took a good week. (I've since added a little bit of added sugar back into my diet, but try to keep it to a minimum.)

I don't know about this specifically helping you to work night shift, but I do believe these side effects will go away. Hang in there and make sure you're getting enough calories. My suggestion would be not to worry too much about calories the first week or so while you're having these side effects. Don't eat junk food, but don't worry too much if you have an extra serving of pasta, cheese, etc. in the first week. One week isn't going to destroy your waistline, and it may help you stick with your goal. Good luck!

ssalulu · May 15, 2011

I've cut sugar before, so I know what you're talking about with the hunger. You just have to give it a little time. It should get better as each day goes on. It's great for the tummy flab, though. :)

KarmaWiseRaven · May 15, 2011

You will find working nights you will lose weigh. You eating habits will change a bit. Best thing i would tell you for the hunger is eat healthy try a Peanut butter Sammy and milk. Or bring veggie snacks.

On Nights you burn more cals. Why you ask?? Well your body is use to resting at night burning less cals. So like if you were on day shift and you were working 12's your lunch would burn off and not so much at night. Well reverse that effect. Now at nights your active and moving your body is burning cals and during the day not so much. ( Understand) Also try to keep away from thing with sugars, sodas. Natural sugar is what you want. Apples Oranges and so on and try drink a more water. That 8oz of water an hour isn't a joke keep hydrated.

Just keep snacks handy for you. You will find at night if you snack rather then eat a meal the hunger will go away because you always have something in your system. A Dr told me 8oz of protein every 2 hours. Cheese, Peanuts, Trail Mix, Dried Fruit Meat or some sort, Good Luck.. FYI....There's lots of threads on AN about Night Shift Eating and so on... Anthony

boojum · May 15, 2011

Protein, protein, protein. Get some snacks like nuts, beef jerky, etc. They help you feel full longer.

MassED, BSN, RN · May 15, 2011

lost a few pounds in 2 nights? wow

I'm peeing like crazy and STARVING. I think it's a sugar dump and what my body has been hanging onto in the way of water....

MassED, BSN, RN · May 15, 2011

thanks for the responses! I do feel like, specifically, the reduction in sugar is causing some INSANE hunger pangs.... I'm hoping it will pass. I'm very angry at my stomach right now - it hasn't gotten the hint that those signals will be ignored. I do lots of snacks, protein, nuts, veggies, etc. Still hungry too. I have about 20 pounds to become my lean self. I'm about 10 away from my normal body weight. I do think there's a relationship with sugar and belly bloat/fat and water retention... for me, anyway. Wondered if any other night shifting female 30 somethings have this issue. Maybe it's an age related approaching 40 thing? I'm finding I need to rebalance diet at my age....

boojum · May 15, 2011

thanks for the responses! I do feel like, specifically, the reduction in sugar is causing some INSANE hunger pangs.... I'm hoping it will pass. I'm very angry at my stomach right now - it hasn't gotten the hint that those signals will be ignored. I do lots of snacks, protein, nuts, veggies, etc. Still hungry too. I have about 20 pounds to become my lean self. I'm about 10 away from my normal body weight. I do think there's a relationship with sugar and belly bloat/fat and water retention... for me, anyway. Wondered if any other night shifting female 30 somethings have this issue. Maybe it's an age related approaching 40 thing? I'm finding I need to rebalance diet at my age....

It will pass! Keep doing what you're doing and big kudos to you for making the change! I definitely think our body and nutrition needs change around the 40 mark.

Also, I've been reading articles by this renegade nutritionist who swears that sugar compromises your immune system. I think it's an interesting theory...

Orange Tree · May 15, 2011

I could deal with hunger, but when I try to cut back on sugar I feel nauseous. I might try fruit instead of soda, though....hopefully that will work. I've gained a few pounds that I'd like to get rid of.

MrWarmHearted · May 16, 2011

you may wish to try some veges with protein - protein with every snack (i.e. nuts/almonds). add exercise - at least to your off days and you'll notice a difference.