Day shift nurses: what do you eat for breakfast?

serenity1 · Jul 12, 2013

I've been having a mini bagel with cream cheese about an hour before I go to work, and I'm always feeling weak and tired mid-morning. Just wondering what other nurses eat that carry you through to lunch time. We only get 'breakfast breaks' if we have time and it's usually crazy.

New/younger RN's...just kidding, couldn't help myself. I do low-carb and when I work days, I eat eggs or protein shake and carry nuts, cheese and beef jerky to get me through the day. Wonderful for those days when I did not get a real lunch break. :)

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2013

I do oatmeal and a banana. I usually carry a snack in my pocket for when I get the mid morning jitters. Usually, a granola bar, string cheese or peanut butter crackers.

I always try to drink fluids through the day. Hydration is so important.

gretajcooper · Jul 12, 2013

Being so pressed for time and all both before work and during I have taken to having a super healthy shake of some sort while driving to work, usually herbalife, that way i can multitask while driving and also have a somewhat full stomach when i clock in, who knows if i will get any breaks during the day!! I also keep snacks in my locker that are quick like granola bars.

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

New/younger RN's...just kidding, couldn't help myself. :)

Hahahahaha, I had to read it twice before I got it!

Morainey, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2013

I tried adding a banana to my mini bagel and cream cheese regiment... works great, I don't get that weak/hungry/tired feeling til about noon and that's much more manageable - I don't feel the need to pig out :sarcastic: today I even turned my nose up at Starbucks pastries a family member brought in!

SNB1014, RN · Aug 8, 2013

I am usually sitting down to eat breakfast @0615 and wont get lunch anywhere between 1230-1430. So i chow down.

I swear by 1 c kashi go lean crunch honey almond flavor, with skim milk. Usually I add a sprinkle of pumpkin spice and splenda.

Then I have a tupperwear of fruit like berries, mango, peaches, whatever and a container of either nonfat Greek yogurt or dannon light n fit. Lately I have been eatung half at home and finshing it around 0930.

I am usually not hungry til 1230 with this plan. I will sometimes snack on a nature valley protein bar nom nom nommmm

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2013

... nom nom nommmm

Good sound effects there, S! :)

bagface · Aug 9, 2013

I hate breakfast actually. I make a smoothie in the mornings though and at least eat something that gets me through lunch. I use carnation breakfast essentials (milk chocolate is my favorite but sometimes I'll get the variety pack so I can get strawberry/vanilla too) with some ice, milk, banilla yogurt, frozen bananas, and frozen strawberries. It is soooo delicious. Sometimes if I'm feeling adventurous I throw some granola in there too or just put it on top so I get it in the first few sips.

I can get MEAN when I'm hungry and don't have time for food. My husband even tells me "I think we should get you fed" that's how bad it can get. I always carry pretzels with me during clinicals, and I usually have cheese in the fridge as well.

Glad you found a winning combo for yourself though.. definitely important for your day!!

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 9, 2013

... I can get MEAN when I'm hungry...

Yeah, I get a headache first, then become easily annoyed ... and then the "meanness" sets in. :)

Morainey, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2013

I can get MEAN when I'm hungry and don't have time for food. My husband even tells me "I think we should get you fed" that's how bad it can get.

In our house, it's called being "hangry"

runlikeagirl · Aug 17, 2013

I eat one of these things before breakfast unless I'm running late (cereal then, meh).. Most mornings, I make a smoothie with kale or spinach (start your day off with some greens!), almond milk, frozen banana, frozen fruit (usually mango, strawberry, raspberry, etc.), and a big dollop of either peanut butter or plain greek yogurt. Sometimes I add chia seeds, cucumber, and tomato. I usually use my smoothie as a way to use up fruit and some veggies that are about to go bad. I also swear by Ezekial english muffins with cream cheese. So yummy! And I also like flavored greek yogurt with bear naked granola. Aaand I love oatmeal too. I have oatmeal down to a science! 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of almond milk, 1/2 sliced banana. Microwave for 2 minutes. Add scoop of peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and whip it up. Add the rest of the banana sliced on top, a few chocolate chips if you're feeling crazy or a sprinkle of nuts. Delish!