Nurses with Unusual Diets

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Just curious if there are nurses also eat strange/unusual/potentially unhealthy diets on a regular basis? 

For example, here is me: 

On days off of work, my diet primarily consists of popcorn, candy, ice cream and pop.   Pop consumption typically consists of 1-2 Diet Sunkist, 1-2 Diet Root Beer and 1-2 Diet Pepsi.  Sometimes I'll eat three bowls of popcorn or one large bag in one day.  Every once in a while, I'll include some grape tomatoes, canteloupe or slices of cheddar cheese on the side, but as a whole, my diet mainly consists of treats. 

At work, I typically don't have access to loads of popcorn, but my diet is still unusual.  My pop consumption alone is enough to shock anyone:  I've been known to drink as many as 15 (yes...fifteen) Diet Pepsis in one day, along with a Diet Sunkist or 2.  I typically don't take lunch breaks but have a tendency to snack on Lay's Potato Chips, Fritos, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  I usually have nothing of nutritious value at all, and end up leaving work with my resting heart rate ranging from 130s-150s and presumably (I haven't actually checked) high blood sugars.  

Anyone else engage in strange, unusual diet habits, either at home or at work? 

Specializes in Rehab/Nurse Manager.
13 minutes ago, LovingLife123 said:

You would be amazed at what a healthy diet can you for your mental health as well.  
 

I ate very unhealthy for a long time.  It does eventually catch up with you.  I’ve lost close to 50lbs the past 6 months.  I can tell you it changed my entire outlook.  Now, I still have pizza and eat out every once in a while.  My healthy diet consists of things that I actually enjoy and eat.  I am off almost all soda completely.  I drink the occasional diet Dr. pepper now and then to get that craving in. I still have a glass of wine.

 

I handle the stress of work much better now.  I force myself to eat sometimes.  I know it’s hard to believe, it was for me, but a healthy diet is life changing, I promise.

I do think the stress of work does influence how I eat.  For example, I primarily consume high amounts of caffeine to help me consistently work 16-20 hour shifts on a regular basis just because breaks are almost unheard of at my workplace.  But, although my BMI is still within normal range, it would be nice to lose a couple pounds and maybe feel more energized

4 minutes ago, speedynurse said:

I honestly can’t imagine eating that and being able to still work a job! I know I struggle to get through 12 hour shifts sometimes and that’s with a healthy diet. I will say a decent diet does make a big difference in how I feel and my immune system. 

Unfortunately, drinking 6-15 Diet Pepsi's every day is how I keep my body going for working 16-20 hour shifts on a daily basis.  It would be nice to feel more energized though.  Seems like I feel fatigued every day. 

17 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

I do think the stress of work does influence how I eat.  For example, I primarily consume high amounts of caffeine to help me consistently work 16-20 hour shifts on a regular basis just because breaks are almost unheard of at my workplace.  But, although my BMI is still within normal range, it would be nice to lose a couple pounds and maybe feel more energized

Unfortunately, drinking 6-15 Diet Pepsi's every day is how I keep my body going for working 16-20 hour shifts on a daily basis.  It would be nice to feel more energized though.  Seems like I feel fatigued every day. 

I drink tons of caffeine.  But I also balance it with fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.  It’s a balance.  It’s not necessarily about losing a few pounds.  You have to look at food differently.  Food is how you fuel your body.  You need to put the right fuel in it.  You can’t put diesel in an unleaded car.  
 

And why are you regularly working 16-20 hours?  That’s insanity.  When I’m super tired, all I want is sugar.  I learned how important a good nights sleep is to my weight loss journey as well.  It doesn’t happen every night.  But I’m more aware of it.  
 

You do you, but at some point I promise it’s going to catch you.

Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
28 minutes ago, SilverBells said:

 

Unfortunately, drinking 6-15 Diet Pepsi's every day is how I keep my body going for working 16-20 hour shifts on a daily basis.  It would be nice to feel more energized though.  Seems like I feel fatigued every day. 
 

 

I honestly just couldn’t eat the way you do. I actually start tipping over the edge with just a little sugar and anything more than a cup or two of coffee a day.

Specializes in ER.
1 hour ago, SilverBells said:

Thing is, my body tolerates my current diet quite well so it's hard to be motivated at this point.  Sometimes my resting heart rate will remain 130-150 for 8+ hours straight (if I've had too many Diet Pepsis) but other than that, no adverse reactions so far.  But I can understand not wanting to be on medications and not constantly wanting to worry about one's health. 

I'm in my 60s. Resting HR 60-70. Look as if I'm 45-55. On zero meds.

Thank you Mom for always guarding my health with healthy,  home cooked meals, and instilling in me a an appetite for it. She was particularly opposed to sugar. 

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

Silverbells, I do hope that while there is a bunch of joking on this thread that you will take to heart some of the advice and re-evaluate some of your choices. Not knowing your age, your body may be able to "tolerate" your current diet, but you are certainly not thriving nor setting yourself up for long-term health. (And a resting heart rate of 130-150's is most definitely NOT acceptable to your body) If your financial situation requires that you work 16-20 hours at a time, can you make any changes to cut back on expenses? Is there a reason that you need to work that schedule regularly? Reading the title to your post I definitely didn't expect what you wrote, your diet isn't just unusual, it's not really sustainable. I hope for your health you can make some changes. 

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
15 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Thing is, my body tolerates my current diet quite well so it's hard to be motivated at this point.  Sometimes my resting heart rate will remain 130-150 for 8+ hours straight (if I've had too many Diet Pepsis) but other than that, no adverse reactions so far.  But I can understand not wanting to be on medications and not constantly wanting to worry about one's health. 

You are in denial and at this time there is probably no logical way to reach you.  I don't know why you accept tachycardia for 8 hours as "no adverse reaction so far".  This is just suicide slo-mo.  Do you think you are so undeserving that you would do this to yourself?  Give it some thought.  Your heart and your brain are starving and it does catch up with you and then were are you?

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
15 hours ago, LovingLife123 said:

I drink tons of caffeine.  But I also balance it with fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins.  It’s a balance.  It’s not necessarily about losing a few pounds.  You have to look at food differently.  Food is how you fuel your body.  You need to put the right fuel in it.  You can’t put diesel in an unleaded car.  
 

And why are you regularly working 16-20 hours?  That’s insanity.  When I’m super tired, all I want is sugar.  I learned how important a good nights sleep is to my weight loss journey as well.  It doesn’t happen every night.  But I’m more aware of it.  
 

You do you, but at some point I promise it’s going to catch you.

@SilverBells no judgment on my part. I drink 3-4 cups of coffee daily and might even sneak in a Coke Zero in between.

This is not a "diet." You are reaching for stimulants and chewy, salty easy to grab snacks that soothe the neuroreceptors but do not provide nutrition. Problem is that when you cut back on the sweet or salty food your body will crave it for a while so things may feel worse.

When I worked 12s (actually 14s) I would start off on the first shift with a nicely packed lunch that had more protein than carbs and a fruit and a vegetable. By the third shift I would eat almost anything out of a vending machine or the day old pizza.

My suggestion is to find a way to incorporate 60-80 ounces of water every day. You're already filling with fluids but what you're giving yourself are mostly diuretics and chemicals (and I am a teeny bit worried about your kidneys).

Once that happens - if you are able to get to a nutritionist that may be the easy button. Ruby Jane Junior is in college and I just paid for nutrition counseling that may save her life or at least move her from being a junk food carbaterian with a few menu suggestions/substitutions.

If not, consider a meal delivery service or something that will allow you to at least have balanced nutrition on your days off. Worry about those days, first. 

Remember the body loves homeostasis and will compensate until it cannot. I wish you the best of luck!

19 hours ago, SilverBells said:

 

2 Dove Dark Chocolate Candy Bars 

The only beneficial food items I consumed included a bowl of canteloupe and a slice of cheddar cheese.  

 

No actual "meals" have been consumed, per se 

At least it's dark chocolate...for the heart benefits... :) 

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
17 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Update: 2 more pops, 1 more bag of popcorn

You sound proud of this, which is weird to me

Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I hope you have a good dentist...

Specializes in Mental health, substance abuse, geriatrics, PCU.

I am really bad with food. I get take out essentially every day, my food choices are horrible, I go long periods without food 24-48 hours and then eat like crazy for a day or two. I've been like this for a long time, just never have found a rhythm for eating on night schedule after all the years I've done it.

Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
17 hours ago, SilverBells said:

Thing is, my body tolerates my current diet quite well so it's hard to be motivated at this point.  Sometimes my resting heart rate will remain 130-150 for 8+ hours straight (if I've had too many Diet Pepsis) but other than that, no adverse reactions so far.  But I can understand not wanting to be on medications and not constantly wanting to worry about one's health. 

You  think a RHR of 130-150+ for 8+ hours means your body is tolerating your diet "quite well"?  And you're a nurse? Oh my.

Specializes in NICU/Mother-Baby/Peds/Mgmt.
15 minutes ago, EDNURSE20 said:

I hope you have a good dentist...

We won't even talk about what all that pop is doing to your bones and kidneys...

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