Eating healthy on the run-post your tips.

caliotter3 · Nov 23, 2009

Sorry, can't help you. I tend to stop at the grocery store or end up at a fast food establishment. Neither help my weight much.

docbkh · Nov 23, 2009

I used to sit on an ambulance for 12+ hours...

I packed about three full meals and a few healthy snacks into a good size lunch bag/cooler. If I had something that needed/preferred to have heated, I'd swing in to a convenience shop and use their microwave. Most of them don't mind, particularly if you're in uniform. Be careful, though, many of those microwaves run at a higher power, so start with about half the time you think you need and repeat appropriately.

I also had the opportunity to experience working 16+ hours a day between a couple jobs for a short while. I planned ahead and made multiple meals and kept them in a small cooler in my car. I also loaded it up with various fruits and healthy snacks that I could replenish my small lunch bag between shifts.

Adapt and overcome!

annaedRN, RN · Nov 23, 2009

to make it easy - when you get home from the store - put your fruits and veggies in separate little ziploc bags - that way they are easy to pick up and throw in your lunch. you can rollup slices of meat and cheese rather than a whole sandwich. all kinds of nuts. i have found that if i have everything ready and bagged up - i tend to grab it and eat it more often than if its just hanging out in fridge. i do all cold stuff - so cant help you there. but a solid cooler (igloo type) and a good ice pack keeps it cold all day. you can also freeze half a water bottle full of water/tea/etc then add the rest in the AM. it is definitely a concentrated effort!

HmarieD · Nov 24, 2009

My husband is a truck driver and uses one of the cigarette-lighter plug in hot boxes. He loves it, says it works really well for him.

BChapp3182 · Nov 24, 2009

I decided to go ahead and buy a 12 volt little fridge/lunch box to keep things cool and also a little 12v cigarette lighter pot to heat my meals in and eat them right out of the pot. Hopefully this will work out well. I'm amazed at all the things they sell for your cigarette lighter, coffee pots, crock pots, heated cups, I even saw a hot dog cooker, lol. I went with a max burton 4 qt pot for heating stuff up, it was only $26. The fridge was expensive at $80 but I figure I'd spend way more than that eating out, plus all the hidden calories...not good for a dieter...

HmarieD · Nov 25, 2009

Good for you. You are smart to plan ahead.

tewdles, RN · Nov 25, 2009

I use a small wide mouth thermos. It works really well to keep hot foods nicely warm until I eat them. I preheat the interior with very hot water (straight out of the BUNN coffee maker) before I put in the very hot food. When I open it 5+ hours later it is usually comfortably warm for eating. I often eat while driving between patients, although if I have soup or something I will try to pull off the road to eat that. I eat lots of dehydrated and fresh fruits in between and try to stay as hydrated as possible without creating an incontinence crisis while searching for bathrooms on my route. I would consider one of the plug in thingies but all of my plug in options are currently taken with cell phones, GPS, and laptop needs.

KateRN1 · Nov 28, 2009

I live in Florida, so a hot meal at lunch isn't really a big deal for me. I keep a soft cooler in my car with ice packs and a frozen water bottle which thaws during the day enough to be drinkable and helps keep my snacks cold. My snacks generally include things like carrot and celery sticks, a sliced apple with cheddar cheese cubes, turkey and cheese on whole wheat, sometimes tuna or chicken salad in a pita pocket. I also keep nuts on hand; I really like the Planters lightly salted heart healthy mix with peanuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, and macadamias. I rarely go through the drive-thru and will generally opt for some place like Panera or Einstein bagels if I have to stop, although I'm well known for planning my route based on Starbucks locations. Years ago, when I worked in rural Missouri, a thermos with spaghettios was a favorite. ;-)

MERRYWIDOW46 · Nov 28, 2009

I have a cooler that plugs into the back of my car and also works off of AC power, have used that for day trips, a week in a hotel at the ocean, and on the boat. Never tried any of the hot pots though.

I always eat yogurt, carotts an celery, turkey, cheese, nuts, raisins, craisins, other veggies, lots of water with crystal lite, sourdough pretzel nuggetts, and I keep some chocolate handy for those OVER THE TOP DAYS for an emergency fix. Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss to date and ongoing diligence. It is a tough job and YOU have been successful and made a difference.

Sue Damonas, BSN · Dec 4, 2009

I pack a lot of fruit, trail mix, cheese, raw veges, sometimes beef jerky. I used to pack sandwiches but I can't even look at one more sandwich.

lamazeteacher · Dec 4, 2009

I sure hope that those of you working 12 hour shifts in HH, don't do more than 3 of them weekly or other nurses will be expected to work more than 40 hours/week too, which ignores labor laws instituted to safeguard workers' health.

Small frequent meals are possible between patients. However if you live alone, try to meet someone for coffee at least once daily. for socialization needs. Salads are good to eat, and "wraps" made with large lettuce leaves instead of high carb tortillas, using the coolers available now, and spritzer dressings. I make lemonade or herbal iced tea, in a large drink container and stop at places that have ice machines (for those who use their drink dispensers), using my own plastic "glass", into which I pour a serving of my homemade, artificially sweetened homemade lemonade or herbal tea.

For heaven's sake take your bathroom breaks at nice restaurants with clean bathrooms (who will berate you for not eating there?). Be good to yourselves! You deserve to have your needs met.