Pocket Snacks for 12 Hour Shift?

studentbear, CNA · May 22, 2016

Larabars! They leave me very satiated.

Kitiger, RN · May 22, 2016

I like Glucerna Shakes. They're like Ensure, but low sugar (6g), high protein (10g), 190 calories. It takes only 1 or 2 minutes to drink it down (8oz), and it holds me. It's made specifically for diabetics. I really like the Homemade vanilla flavor.

MomAndSonInMD · May 22, 2016

I just started a new job working three 12 hour shifts a week. I love the job, but sometimes it requires us to go several hours between having anything to eat, and, while I'm not diabetic or anything, I am someone who gets nauseous when I get really hungry, which I do between breaks on this job. I can deal with plain, old hunger, it's the nausea and it can be distracting if it is bad enough. If I eat even something tiny it works to hold me over and relieve the hunger/nausea until I can go on break.
Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, can you recommend some little something that I can carry with me to hold me over and alleviate the hunger/nausea between breaks? Healthy, small, portable...something I can basically carry with me and pop into my mouth if I step off the floor for a second and then come right back. Picture carrying individually wrapped hard candies in your pocket; something that neat, quick and portable, only not unhealthy like candy.
I know it's a tall order, but does anyone have any ideas? I love my job but I don't want to end up feeling sick when I'm there.

I also get severely nauseous if my stomach is empty for too long (I know the reason but won't bore you with it). I learned (because it was the only thing in my purse at the moment) that gum or mints can help. It gives the stomach the sensation of eating. Or, if you can, pop a cracker while you're walking down the hall.

abbnurse · May 22, 2016

I always keep some of those 100-calorie packs of almonds in my tote bag; they are a great, portable snack. ( Emerald is the brand I buy .) Also, as vintage mother mentioned, Baby Bel cheese is a great snack too.

Mommavik, ADN · May 22, 2016

My go to snack was always pb crackers in a pack; I get nauseated if I try to eat sweets when I'm too hungry

TeaPlease · May 22, 2016

Not exactly pocket-friendly, but a cup of oatmeal/protein powder/raisins/craisins nuked before work and mixed with applesauce stay tucked under the nursing station desk in my bag. A few bites here and there and I'm no longer the cranky hungry nurse.

DFutureNP25 · May 22, 2016

Boost shakes, almonds, yogurt and protein bars are some good options. Remember to stay hydrated.

Rachel981 · May 22, 2016

I use chocolate nutrition bars by Arbonne. Cut them into squares and put in small sandwich bag with some almonds. Keep me going for hours! :up:

westieluv · May 22, 2016

I bought some relatively healthy trail mix (assorted nuts, raisins, etc.) and some of those little snack sized zippy bags at the store today and am planning on putting about 1/3 cup of trail mix in the bag and stashing it in my pocket. I work in a chronic dialysis unit, so once the patients get on their treatments I will have a few minutes of down time to step away from the floor and chow on some of this a couple of times during my shift. This is just my first effort, I am still planning on trying many of your other suggestions.

Thanks again, fellow starving nurses!

BTW, to the PP who said she didn't want to bore me with why she feels nauseous when she's hungry...I would love to hear about it, because it might help me to figure out why I get this way too. I do have IBS, but it comes and goes and I don't see any connection between the two issues. I always get nauseous when I'm really hungry.

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 22, 2016

In addition to the items mentioned, I bring a small container of dry quaker oats, cinnamon, coconut flakes and honey to work. Just add water. It's healthy, cheap and you can eat it for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

BonnieSc · May 23, 2016

Wait, am I the only one who had a visceral reaction to a nurse carrying "pocket snacks"? Ew, ew, ew! I don't trust anything in my pockets to be clean! Even if it's wrapped I wouldn't do it. Sure, you can kind of maneuver the granola bar out of the wrapper so it only touches your lips, but I wouldn't trust it. I haven't noticed anyone else doing this either. Take a minute, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and grab the snack out of your bag. (When I started as a nurse I think I didn't believe I HAD a minute, but trust me, you do. There will always be work to fill that minute with, but if you ignore the work instead, at the end of the day you won't notice the missing minute--you would notice the missing snack.)

Otherwise I appreciate all the suggestions, as I am always looking for new quick, healthy work-snack ideas, too. I buy the individually-wrapped packages of almonds and trail mix at Trader Joe's, and I usually take a small container of yogurt and pop it in the refrigerator.

nurseinthezoo · May 23, 2016

I know it's not like a granola bar, but an apple, orange, banana, grapes are natural and healthy and can be consumed quick. Good luck.