What do you eat in the morning?

Nurses General Nursing

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I used to work 11a-11p and now I am going to 7a-7p. My other job is from 6a-6p, so I usually get up at around 4:30am. My 7a-7p job has about a 40 min commute. I find it really hard to eat at this time in the morning and right now I'm forcing down some yogurt. I also do not want to miss up the opportunity to eat because I might not get that chance once I get to work. From my experience in the ER as a night shifter, people start trickling in around 0600-0630.

So, what do y'all eat in the morning? I'm thinking about eating on my 40 min commute but I really don't want to stop anywhere, so I'd like something portable. I also like to eat something a little more hearty as my first meal of the day - eggs, bacon/sausage, toast, some fruit, etc.

I drink a smoothie in the car on my commute (45-60mins). Packed with protein. Greek yogurt, protein powder, almond milk. Easy, healthy, yummy

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

Oh, I will ALWAYS contribute to a post about food! :p

When I worked in the hospital, I woke up around 5:15 and was in the car by 5:50. I was never hungry in that time period so a grab-and-go breakfast was essential. I would always get to work a few minutes early and take some time to enjoy my breakfast if it wasn't something I could have in the car. Even here in the school I sometimes don't have the hunger or time to eat at home so I like to have options I can bring along with me.

1) Overnight oatmeal. This is my go-to breakfast. You mix together oats, milk, fruit, yogurt, cinnamon... anything you would like, really, in an airtight container. Then shake it up and leave it in the fridge overnight. The oats soak up the milk and it becomes like a cold, creamy oatmeal porridge. I love it! My favorite recipe is oatmeal, almond milk, coconut sugar, pinch of sea salt and PB2 powder mixed together in a peanut butter jar that's nearly empty. It tastes like pudding and is so filling and delicious! There are tons of recipes for overnight oats, just Google it.

2) Smoothies. I love smoothies. I have the BEST blender in the world and it makes anything creamy and smooth. I like adding Greek yogurt, flax seeds, almonds or almond butter to mine for extra fats and protein to keep me full. Fruits, veggies, seeds... anything you like. If you add the right ingredients, they are very satisfying. I had one this morning on the drive to work and I am still full. They save a lot of time too because you can take them with you. I like to portion the ingredients out into little containers the night before so in the AM all I have to do is throw them in the blender with some water or milk and they are good to go.

3) Topped toast. I like this when it's a little chillier and I want something warm instead of cold oats or cold smoothies. I make 2 slices of Ezekiel toast and top it with all kinds of things. I like almond butter with banana slices or peanut butter with apple and cinnamon. Or avocado toast. Yum! Sliced avocado with salt, pepper and sesame seeds. This is SO filling because of the fat and fiber in the avocado. These are a little tricky to take in the car but I've done it in a pinch. The fruits toasts are easier than the avocados to eat on the go. I usually put them on a paper plate and keep them on the passenger seat. You can eat them with one hand.

4) Steel cut oats. (Yes I love oatmeal too much) These take a very long time to cook so I like to prepare a big batch in the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge. They heat up nicely if you add a splash of milk and are very filling. You could heat and eat once you get to work.

Now I am starving.

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

1) Overnight oatmeal. This is my go-to breakfast. You mix together oats, milk, fruit, yogurt, cinnamon... anything you would like, really, in an airtight container. Then shake it up and leave it in the fridge overnight. The oats soak up the milk and it becomes like a cold, creamy oatmeal porridge. I love it! My favorite recipe is oatmeal, almond milk, coconut sugar, pinch of sea salt and PB2 powder mixed together in a peanut butter jar that's nearly empty. It tastes like pudding and is so filling and delicious! There are tons of recipes for overnight oats, just Google it.

Does the overnight oatmeal work with steel cut oats?

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Specializes in School Nursing, Hospice,Med-Surg.

When I worked the floor or the clinic, I found my blood sugar bottoming out about 10 a.m. if I only had a quick bowl of cereal or a carb-only breakfast which was what I was pretty much raised on. The first doc I worked for in a clinic setting checked me when I would find myself diaphoretic and faint-feeling midmorning and my BG would be in the low 40's. He recommended I have proteins for breakfast instead...an egg or a piece of chicken. That's when I started grilling lots of chicken at the start of the week with some steamed broccoli and dividing it in Tupperware portions. I'd heat it up each morning and have it quickly for breakfast before leaving home in the morning. I'd feel fine all day, didn't need to have lunch if I didn't have time.

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Specializes in med-surg, IMC, school nursing, NICU.

mindofmidwifery- NO! I tried it. The steel cut oats have too much of the husk or whatever it's called on them and cannot absorb the liquid. They remain pretty hard and crunchy. Not the texture we are going for!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Do you have a muffin tin? Stir up some eggs in a bowl add a little milk, cheese, crumbled bacon or ham Veggies and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Grab and go breakfast.

That sounds amazing. I need to try this. Thanks!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Does the overnight oatmeal work with steel cut oats?

I've made overnight oats before but I have only made them with instant oats. All of the recipes I have seen also call for instant oats.

I like to add oats, almond milk, greek yogurt of my choice and some chia seeds...mix it all together and set it in the fridge overnight. I like to top mine with banana slices.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, Transport, L&D, Hospice.

I also am not a morning eater...preferring to eat somewhere 3-4 hours after waking.

That means that most mornings I drink my coffee, have a small OJ or other juice, and go to work.

Around 1030-11ish I have a snack; a few nuts or a piece of fruit, piece of jerky, maybe a muffin but that is generally too much.

I eat my lunch around 1230.

I am starved when I get home so I have another light snack (see above).

On bad days, when I am ravenous first thing in the morning I will often feast on the unsuspecting new or student nurse as long as they are young and tender.

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Specializes in Psychiatric nursing; Medical-Surgrical.

Fruit bow I prepared the day before or a couple of eggs with lots of water.

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Specializes in PACU.

Oats oats oats

Rolled oats with banana and yoghurt, I don't leave it overnight, I mix it first thing when I get out of bed. Add some nuts, chia seeds...

Grind oats in the blender until powdered, add milk, banana, peanut butter and chocolate powder.

Grind oats in blender, combine with wholemeal flour, eggs, milk and oil for making pancakes.

You can make breakfast bars, there are endless recipes, usually vegan/vegetarian blogs cover them well. I either bake or freeze them.

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Leg o' mutton.

I don't eat breakfast. Coffee.

I eat around 11, usually plain Greek yogurt, granola, honey and fruit.

After work I go home, stand in front of the fridge, and eat it's contents.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

I have to eat something in the morning because I know it might be 5 hours later otherwise.

This morning I had minute oats with berries. I made it the night before and added milk, put the sealed container in the fridge. Ready to eat in 30 seconds.

I could only stomach half. Tomorrow I'll have a green tea smoothie again.

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