Lunch and Dinner Breaks

Campbell's now has some great soups in microwavable containers- and that, plus a fresh piece of fruit, makes for a fine lunch. Also- do you have Trader's Joe by you? They have wonderful little meals, both fresh and frozen, for micowaving, and one-person prepackaged salads and such. One stop at the beginning of the week should take you several days into the week!

Lunch?? What's that -- we never have time for lunch. I do 12 hours shifts and finally get to eat around 6pm most days (as long as my meds are done). But I usually bring a microwavable meal, or a sandwich, along with fruit. I usually try to have a granola bar or something during the day that is small and can keep it in the kitchen with some water.

I work nights and the cafe is closed. If we plan to eat something real, we have to bring it. And it never fails, IF I remember to bring in a nice packed lunch, I will NOT have time to remember I brought it, let alone eat it.

If I have nothing with me, I'll have time to eat, and be scrounging around for a few crackers and juice. The law of nursing luck I guess.

Do you have access to a refrigerator and/or microwave?

I bought some small oblong corningware dishes with lids. A little more expensive than the plastic containers, but I like them so much better:) Anyways, I either freeze leftovers into "tv dinners" in these containers or I'll make something specifically to freeze. I label everything and then just select what I want to eat that day. Takes just a few minutes to heat up.

lunch breaks are mandatory where I work. Each morning, one of the first things the charge nurses do is ask us what time we want to take our breaks. When the time comes, they pretty much tell us to drop everything and go on break. If we have meds to give, we have other nurses to give them for us. Sometimes though I feel guilty taking breaks though when I still have so much to do. But then I realize in nursing, there really is no end to work until you go home.

but back on topic...I usually make something a day or so ahead that can last me several days. Then I just throw everything into a microwave safe tuppeware type container and bring that with me to work. We have a refrigerator and two microwaves on our floor.

When I was on orientation (days) the cafeteria was open & we always got a 30 min uninterrupted lunch break. I am now on nights...nothing open & we do not ever get the lunch break...If I eat its to gobble something down at the nsg station between whatever is going on. I just grab a pack of nabs out of the machine.

I hate having to cook, or make food at all really, so I usually try to make all of my meals on Sunday nights before the week starts. I put everything in little plastic containers, and do "left-overs" all week. Works for me, but I understand not everyone is up for that. My favourite? Salads! I make a ton of them on sundays, and theres always one in the fridge, or to take with me. Really healthy, and I'm never reaching for a bag of chips or chocolate bar. For snacks? Celery & peanut butter or cheese whiz! Sandwiches are good too, but I can't make them all on Sundays (that would just be gross).

Subway is also a nice alternative. I know alot of people who stop in there to grab a sub before their shift, and they usually last pretty good 'til lunch/dinner break.

Speaking of Subway - they used to have a 12" special at this Subway I went to every Wed. I would get one of those and have them cut it in 1/2 I would then eat 1/2 on the way home from work - then when I went to clinicals the next day, I had 1/2 a sandwich from Subway, then I just had to buy chips and a drink from the cafeteria. I think for 2 meals it would cost me around $6.00 total. It was great.

Normally I just make extra when we cook and we freeze all the leftovers and I just get out what sounds good the next day before I go to work. Because it stays out for about 7-8 hours in the fridge before I get to eat, it's usually dethawed to a perfect temp for heating up in the microwave. If that doesn't work, then cup of soups, sandwiches, salads, etc....all seem to work as well.

Our cafeteria is cheap to eat in, an entire meal will cost less than $2.00 for an employee including a drink BUT they don't serve the most healthy meals for their employees plus they are closed usually about the one and only time you have to get lunch and/or dinner.

Depending on how the day goes depends on when we take lunch. Not the exact time everyday but we try. Some always go no matter and other like me take it when we can but I like my later (1300) to make the day go quicker. I will usually snack on crackers and coffee until lunch then eat soup for lunch. Nothing like running for a code on a full stomach. Then there are days that we all bring in things to munch on throughout the shift.

I'm not a nurse yet, just a student who also works, but my DH and I have virtually stopped eating lunches out. It saves so much money and is so much better for you. I do cook throughout the week, although not every night, and I have several staples that I know from experience reheat very well. I make "planned-overs" on purpose, usually of soups and pasta/rice dishes and stir fries. I make 1-1.5 lbs of pasta most time I fix it, so I'll have some to take to work. Other than that, granola bars, single serving salads/fruit bowls, and those bottled yogurt smoothie things are much better than chips or fast food...