Night shift dinner time

[kantuta]

Hi there,

I was wondering what do night nurses eat during their shift? (when they are lucky enough to enjoy couple minutes of dinner time) If I would look at your lunch-bag what kind of snacks could I find in there?

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

Our cafeteria is open from 1am - 3am. Half of us go to lunch from 1-2, the rest from 2-3.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

Almost always a salad or a sandwhich anywhere from 1am to usually 4 am. I don't being snacks. Occasionally i will buy some chips or candy at the vending machines too. 1time every 2 or 3 months. I drink usually just water but sometimes soda and coffee at work

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

I work nights unusually eat a light snack fruit crackers cheese or like a soup it's best not to eat heavy at nights since normally your body should be resting

I am asleep during the day so when should I eat?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I work 12-hour night shifts from 6:00pm to 6:30am.

6:30pm (breakfast) - soup

10:00pm (lunch) - salad

2:00am (dinner) - Greek yogurt

5:30am (snack) - fresh fruit

I'm also sipping on coffee and sparkling water before, between, and after these meals. In addition, I go to the local 24-hour gym for a cardio workout after my shift ends.

[anotherone, BSN, RN]

I work 12-hour night shifts from 6:00pm to 6:30am.

6:30pm (breakfast) - soup

10:00pm (lunch) - salad

2:00am (dinner) - Greek yogurt

5:30am (snack) - fresh fruit

I'm also sipping on coffee and sparkling water before, between, and after these meals. In addition, I go to the local 24-hour gym for a cardio workout after my shift ends.

wow. this sounds very impressive!

[flipflopsNsweetTea]

Our cafeteria is open from 12am to 3am, and I try to go around 1:30. Sometimes its sooner, sometimes it later. I hardly ever bring lunch.

[Tait, MSN, RN]

I always had cheese, those goofy applesauce packets kids eat (easy to eat and chart!), Special K protein drink in the morning keep me out of McDonald's, a Lean Cuisine for dinner, sometimes salad, and a Starbucks bottled Frappucino for my caffeine pick me up! I usually ate a snack around 11, dinner at 1:30ish, snack around 4/5, then the shake during report.

[kantuta]

Thank you all for your feedback. Now, I do have an idea of what to buy and how to organize my night. I agree with Anotherone, TheCommuter you are impressive; my husband also think that it will be a good idea for me to go to the gym after the shift. I am still thinking about that lol

[PaxRN]

I always, always pack my lunch. I will pack 3 the first night I work so I can come home in the morning, empty my lunch tote and refill it immediately with the other prepacked lunches. Typical lunches include string or cottage cheese, baby carrots and almonds then either a salad, sandwich or leftover I can reheat. I also eat a raw veggie and protein bar on commute home. I try to eat between 130-300 so I dont get behind on the morning shuffle. Some people eat out every single night; I find it's an easy way to gain weight and waste money. Good luck to you!

[Despareux]

IF I do get to have dinner/lunch, I prefer homemade soups and salad--hearty and satisfying and helps meet hydration needs. For snacks, I usually bring nuts. I drink only water and one cup of green tea. Even if I don't get to eat, I always make hydration #1 priority when it comes to caring for my body.

[sandyfeet]

I must be the anomaly here because while I eat at the same time as everyone else (between 11-2 usually), I always buy food in the cafeteria. Our hospital went through a big health kick and got rid of all the fryers, and the food has weight watchers points posted. I usually get a veggie burger, popchips, and a diet lemonade. I would rather sleep longer than wake up and pack a lunch! And I don't snack either. As long as I keep busy I don't get hungry. I only feel like snacking if I'm bored!

[Calabria, BSN, RN]

I'm a big fan of low-glycemic eating, especially on night shift. I've found that I don't get as sleepy/hungry between 3 AM and 5 AM on this diet. As a result, I pack my meals for work.

Last week, for instance, I ate some lettuce wraps before my shift. I snacked on a piece of fruit with a cheese wedge between shift change and lunch. I had some grilled chicken with quinoa salad for lunch (which I try to take after midnight). For breakfast (before I go home, or as I'm driving home), I'll have a homemade green smoothie. My only guilty pleasure is a small can of Coke/Pepsi, which I drink with my lunch and only on nights when I'm working.