before clinical breakfast ideas?

Gompers, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

I never have time for breakfast on my way in to work, so I just grab a canned shake - usually Slimfast. Now that the low-carb thing is popular, Slimfast, Carnation Instant Breakfast, and many other brands now have shakes with higher protein levels than the regular stuff. You could have one of those in the car with a banana even, all you need is a straw and a napkin!

Agree that bringing a "just in case" snack would be a good idea as well.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

I agree think protein and complex carbs.

Stay away from instant oatmeal and try the slow cooked kind. (I boil water in the microwave and let it sit while I'm doing something else.) There was a study done that shown that compared the two and people got hungrier faster on the instant oatment and then snacked on unhealthy food. Oatmeal is good for the cholestorol and is high fiber.

Peanut butter on whole grain (like pumpernickel), which some fruit. Eggs. Veggie soy sausage, etc.

Think low glycemic, so things last, include protein, fat and complex carbs.

Bars and shakes are a good standby, but basically they are an overpriced overly refined food. Whole foods are better.

Good luck!

not now, RN · Oct 17, 2004

I always eat oatmeal or toast with peanut buttter on it.

allthingsbright · Oct 17, 2004

I like:

protien shakes made with fruit and soy milk (throw in the blender and take in the car!)

eggs-scramble and toss in a tortilla with some cheese

luna bars

hard boiled eggs

whole grain cereal bars

apple with pnut butter on it-or a banana with the same

banana chopped up with 2 tbsps crunchy cereal, a dab of pnut butter and a drizzle of honey-YUM!

raisen toast w/ pnut butter and honey

i eat this kind of stuff and make it from 5am to 1230 for lunch/break.

good luck!

mavnurse · Oct 17, 2004

I have the same problem going a long time without food. For clinical mornings, I have a cup of yogurt and coffee before I leave and then I take either juice or a yogurt smoothie thing and a PowerBar to eat in the parking lot right before I go in. It works great! I highly recommend PowerBars! (the harvest ones are the best - they taste ok)

Sometimes if I'm in a big hurry I'll just grab a water bottle and a PowerBar and eat it on the way (no yogurt or coffee before) and I can make it through the shift. I'm hungry when I get out, but not sick feeling.

Imafloat, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

Hello,
Friday was my first hospital clinical day. It was from 7-3 , everything was fine until around 10am I began to faint in my pt. room. didn't hit the floor but cooly sat in the chair while the lpn got me some soda. I attributed my fainting spell to my nerves and not eating breakfast.
What works for me is WHOLE grain toast and peanut butter. Make sure the bread is whole grain, not wheat flavored white bread. I get hungry a few hours later, but it is a bearable hunger, not a shaky low blood sugar horrible feeling. I also eat cottage cheese on wheat ritz with a little sugarless all fruit on top. Sometimes I eat 2 or 3 boiled eggs with no toast. I have hypoglycemia and I have to be careful what I eat in the mornings. It seems like I set the tone for the whole day based on my breakfast choice. If I eat something full of carbs and sugar I am eating and getting shaky all day long. Good luck to you.

LeashRN · Oct 17, 2004

I hate eating in the morning - I'm just not hungery. On clinical days I find myself getting the 'shakes' about 1000, not sure why, it must be the stress as it can't be the physical, 'cause just being on your feet is not that physical! I forced myself to eat something like a granola bar (carbohydrate) or cereal, but by 1000 if found I was much worse! After the glucose 'spike' my blood glucose level plummit. I tried protein next, 1 or 2 eggs (dependent on how much I could get down) and for lack of time I would get these in the hospital caffateria. This works best for me.

good luck!

RedVaz · Oct 17, 2004

Everyone has given good suggestions. My problem has always been timing. When you get up as close to last minute as possible, stomach doesn't know it's awake yet.

I scramble eggs in the microwave, put them btw 2 pieces of toasted whole grain (usually rye) bread, add some chz, microwave another 10 sec to melt and bring it in the car. Wrap it up like they do in a fast food rest, so you can eat from one end w/out everything falling out the other. Also, it stays warm for ~ 20 min because it's wrapped well and microwaved after assembly. If you're still not hungry in the car, just warm it up later!

Takes ~ same amt of time as instant oatmeal.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2004

Instant oatmeal keeps me full all morning - and it's quick!

TLC RN · Oct 17, 2004

Everyone has given good suggestions. My problem has always been timing. When you get up as close to last minute as possible, stomach doesn't know it's awake yet.
I scramble eggs in the microwave, put them btw 2 pieces of toasted whole grain (usually rye) bread, add some chz, microwave another 10 sec to melt and bring it in the car. Wrap it up like they do in a fast food rest, so you can eat from one end w/out everything falling out the other. Also, it stays warm for ~ 20 min because it's wrapped well and microwaved after assembly. If you're still not hungry in the car, just warm it up later!
Takes ~ same amt of time as instant oatmeal.

How do you scramble eggs in the microwave?

RedVaz · Oct 17, 2004

To scramble eggs in micro:

Spray* bowl w/nonstick (low-fat) spray, put eggs in bowl, scramble w/fork. Micro (depending on microwave) 30 sec or so, scramble w/ fork, put back in for 30 sec. Increase time w/more eggs.

*very hard to clean if you don't spray-no prob @ all if you do.

glopop11 · Oct 17, 2004

I ususally have an English muffin with peanut butter. I take it with me and eat it in the car just before i go into clinicals. Carbs, protien and fat.....stays with me til lunch!