Healthy eating tips + maintaining work life balance

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Hi! I am a new RNBN working in the NICU (yay!). I am struggling with the transition from nursing student to RN not with my care but with maintaining my self care. I am wondering if anybody has good suggestions for easy meal prep/cookbooks that travel well for 12s. Plus any other suggestions to keep my energy up and preventing early burn out (without relying on 3 cups of coffee). I love what I do and enjoy the challenge and learning but I just need to get a handle on my own health/establish a healthy routine early on.

Thanks :)

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Specializes in OR.

Congrats on your NICU position! This isn't for everyone, but what I've found the most helpful is to make one of my daily meals a protein smoothie loaded with fruit, nuts, veggies and low glycemic protein. The fiber and protein fill me up without making me feel over full or sleepy. My other work meal is usually some sort of quinoa, vegetable, lean protein combo. I bring fruit, nuts and drink mixes to snack on.

Exercise is so important to feeling good at work too. Weight lifting and core power yoga has eliminated lower back pain I used to get in nursing school. Find some exercise you like and make it a part of your routine.

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Congrats on your NICU position! This isn't for everyone, but what I've found the most helpful is to make one of my daily meals a protein smoothie loaded with fruit, nuts, veggies and low glycemic protein. The fiber and protein fill me up without making me feel over full or sleepy. My other work meal is usually some sort of quinoa, vegetable, lean protein combo. I bring fruit, nuts and drink mixes to snack on.

Exercise is so important to feeling good at work too. Weight lifting and core power yoga has eliminated lower back pain I used to get in nursing school. Find some exercise you like and make it a part of your routine.

This is wonderful advice. Also, I'm in school so not the same situation, but I find it helpful to carry around a few protein bars (the sugar free kind) and I keep a sugar free protein shake with me, too. It isn't as good for me as a real meal, I know, but it does help in a pinch so I'm able to avoid grabbing something that is really bad for me.

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Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).

Lux has given you great advice. As a diabetic I have to be careful that my Blood sugar stays neutral throughout my shift. I practice a high protein, low glycemic index diet as well as daily exercise. It does work well for me.

Hppy

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