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 Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
17 minutes ago, speedynurse said:

I admit my healthy diet habits when downhill when I was on nights. 

Migod, it would take a person with the conviction of a saint not to eat at least some of the good stuff my coworkers brought in or ordered out for!

Mmmmm... pizza.

Specializes in ER, Pre-Op, PACU.
10 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Migod, it would take a person with the conviction of a saint not to eat at least some of the good stuff my coworkers brought in or ordered out for!

Mmmmm... pizza.

What I have finally learned is it’s about balance and as long as I eat healthy “most” of the time, I can afford to have that sweet tooth from time to time. It just can’t be all the time ?

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
5 minutes ago, speedynurse said:

What I have finally learned is it’s about balance

Everything in moderation.

Heck, even moderation should be practised abstemiously!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
7 minutes ago, Davey Do said:

Everything in moderation.

Heck, even moderation should be practised abstemiously!

Great $.50 word, Davie!

 

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
3 minutes ago, klone said:

Great $.50 word, Davie!

Thank you.

I use the word abstemiously facetiously, because they are the only two words in the English language which contain all the vowels in order.

Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
1 hour ago, Davey Do said:

Everything in moderation.

Heck, even moderation should be practised abstemiously!

That is pretty much my foundation: all things in moderation, including moderation. ?

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Hate to say it but:  your diet will land you in a hospital or dead. Seriously, this is" OK" when you're young but as you get older, like me, it does not cut it.

 

I don't eat an "unusual" diet. But I do keep it to plant-based only. I gave up meat and eat a lot of veggies/legumes (I do eat dairy, so I am not vegan) and I have lost weight and feel so much lighter and better. Mental alertness is way up and my erhm, bathroom habits are so much improved.

I love candy/junk like anyone. But when I found myself feeling lousy half the time and having no energy---- I looked hard at what I was putting into my body and decided it was time to change.

After 2 months, I feel better already. I hope to keep moving in the right direction.  I drink pop/soda rarely, more drinking iced tea or water and protein drinks. I don't eat candy near as much anymore and keep the sugar to a mininum.  I love an occasional chocolate like anyone....but rarely now.

It works; I feel more energy and more alert.

Change your ways before you ways change YOU. I learned this the hard way.

 

Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.
2 hours ago, speedynurse said:

I admit my healthy diet habits when downhill when I was on nights. And unfortunately I did notice a difference because I felt absolutely terrible. But I do understand the hardship on doing nights, getting enough sleep, and meal prep.

I also noticed a difference in how I felt (and fit into my scrubs) when I switched to nights. I gained about 20 pounds and after six years of being a 6-days-a-week at the gym person, I had to leave my old gym and didn't find a replacement. Last June I started intermittent fasting and now I don't eat at all overnight. It's worked out great for me! I eat all my food between noon and 6pm, although sometimes if I'm working back to back 12s, I only end up eating dinner. I've lost the 20 pounds, and it's been surprisingly easy to ignore the food at work. And with COVID we aren't allowed any community food like pizza or potlucks anyway, and it's hard to find the time to get off the floor for a break- so it's easier for me knowing I don't have to eat while my coworkers start getting hangry. I find that with less hours to eat, I spend less time on snacks and get more quality foods in as well. I'm sure it doesn't work for everyone, but it's been a life changer for me. 

Specializes in Ortho-Neuro.

My diet has been better while my hospital is providing meals during a Covid surge in my state. That surge is pretty much past, though at a higher baseline of cases than before the surge, so the hospital is stopping those free meals soon.

I usually eat a combination of candy, caffeinated drinks, and the token attempt at a healthy lunch. Half the time I don't even have time to take a lunch so I chug a couple of shelf-stable shakes (Ensure/Weight Watchers/Soylent) that I keep in my locker. Nasty, but it's fast calories.

Even with what I do eat on work days, I generally get half the calories I need. I'm always ravenous on my days off, so I'm eating everything in sight my first day off. That's generally not healthy stuff either...

Specializes in RETIRED Cath Lab/Cardiology/Radiology.

Moved to Breakroom area

Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I dramatically switched up my diet about a year ago after watching my A1C slowly climb to 5.6, and my triglycerides go stupid high. I used to eat lots of snacks and fast food and up to 16 cups of coffee a day. And at least 1 diet Dr. Pepper a day. I was technically obese and have a strong family history of heart disease. 

I now follow the CDC guidelines for diabetes prevention for diet and exercise. I have 2 cups of coffee a day and lots of water. I avoid most forms of concentrated carbohydrate. I lost 40 pounds and feel ever so much better. And lipids are WNL. I do love popcorn, though. 

Specializes in Psych, Addictions, SOL (Student of Life).
On 1/12/2021 at 4:30 PM, 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. 

Your resting heart rate is clearly a sign that your body is desperately trying to compensate and it will have long term effects on your cardio vascular system. 

The right diet can greatly inhance your mental outlook as well. I know this for a fact. A couple of years ago I had a tummy tuck and just about every complication including a hip to hip dehiscence that took eleven weeks to close.  I'm a Type 2 diabetic and during that time my sugars were in the high's or 300 to 400. I was also stressed, anxious and angry. 

Once I healed up I started looking into plans that cold work to reduce anxiety levels and keep my sugars where they out to be. I can't do paleo because I take insulin and it needs some carbs to work on.  So I eat high protien, Minimal processed carbohydrates, lots of fruit and vegatables, full fat and butter. I have lost weight and I've been off on vaction this week. Sleeping a whole 8 hours at night, blood preassure in the 120's over 70's. In my opinion Diet soda and Margarine are the two worst things you can do to your body. I do allow myself and occasional soda. In fact I am drinking a Sprite as I write this.

By incorporating more fruits and veggies I have quieted my stress level. 

 I only say this because your previous posts show a general discontent that might be solved by switching up a few things. 

Hppy

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