I admit that since I've given up smoking around the same time I took this HH job, I've packed on some um, padding. I try to eat well while traveling but sometimes fast food gets the best of me.
I always travel with my morning mug of coffee (skim milk and sometimes Splenda) and then I have an afternoon liter of water or iced tea. I try to eat breakfast before I head out but that doesn't always happen.
In my center console, I have Fiber One bars, The Zone Perfect meal bars, and South Beach meal bars. But sometimes the car just drives towards a fast food joint in a safe neighborhood, ya know?? Sometimes I crave a fountain Diet Coke. :innerconf
Most of the time in the middle of the day when I should eat lunch, I don't feel like it. I just want to finish my visits and go home. I'm famished by the time I get home. Seems like drinking all those fluids just makes me have to potty and doesn't make me feel full at all!
Thanks for the tips peeps! I'm gonna try some of these tips...especially the sun tea while in the car!! I'm in the habit of freezing part of my tea in my Rubbermaid 100ml bottle the night before and then filling it up the rest of the way in the morning.
I'm tired of carrying meal bars and carrots. I finally started feeding the bag of baby carrots to my dog! I'm also currently hooked on PBJ sandwiches.
I just started HH nursing in March and this was my biggest fear!! I still give in to fast food, but luckily only once every 2-3 weeks or so. Otherwise, I'll make a healthy sandwich some days, otherwise "finger foods" are a must! I like almonds, baby carrots, fruits, I like fiber one bars too, crackers, honey wheat pretzels, etc. I think my favorite is bringing a sandwich bag full of Life cereal! I eat them one by one, I like the sweet crunch!! I may try the ensure idea someone mentioned, that sounds good too! :)
Just an idea, but Taco Bell has this new Fresco style menu. They basically take off all the fatty stuff like cheese, some sauces, and sour cream, and put that pico stuff (with the tomatoes, onions, cilantro, you know what I mean) on it instead. I love it! You can ask for it to be fresco style instead of regular, and it cuts down on fat and calories. You can even get it with the refried beans. It's great.
Funny, when you are talking to one of your co harts in crime, they are usually talking to Jack or Ronald, placing their order for something to eat/drink..I am from Texas, so the I always keep water in the car in a small igloo. (I am so tempted to use a foley during the day...lol) I have started adding fresh cherries, string cheese, canned almonds (just a few, not the whole can, really do stop the 'gotta have chocolate now' syndrome, deli meat wrapped in lettuce leaf, cheese chunks, crackers, etc.....its gotta be 'no dripping' and held in one hand, but do try to pull off the road, in safe place, park under a tree, take a 15 minute break, it will make your day go much better....
Specializes in OR, ICU, Tele, Psych, LTC, Palliative.
Thanks for the tips peeps! I'm gonna try some of these tips...especially the sun tea while in the car!! I'm in the habit of freezing part of my tea in my Rubbermaid 100ml bottle the night before and then filling it up the rest of the way in the morning.
I'm tired of carrying meal bars and carrots. I finally started feeding the bag of baby carrots to my dog! I'm also currently hooked on PBJ sandwiches.
I never thought I'd wax poetic about a PBJ, but with Fieldberry jam (Smuckers), and the crunchy style PB, OH MY! Sooo good. I try to make it a bit more nutritious by making it with flax/sunflower seed bread. Ummm.
. I wish they made a microwave for cars, lol. :chuckle
Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum. I've been a home health nurse for twelve years and this eating thing has been a great challenge for me, too. I've both gained and lost weight while doing this job.
Re: the quote from Yogalover: They do indeed make microwaves for vehicles as well as refrigerators and coffee makers and several other neat gadgets!!! Where to find them? Well, where the other "driving professions" hang out --- truck stops!! You'll need to find a place that truly caters to the driving professional, these are usually found along the interstates on the outskirts of metropolitan areas. Choose one that has a bank of diesel pumps and only a few parking areas for cars in front. Go inside and browse -- you will be surprised at all the gadgets that can make our lives better.
As for what to eat: South Beach lunch kits are great, but rather expensive, make your own with packets of chicken, a dab of condiment like low fat mayo or salad dressing, crackers or a low cal whole wheat wrap and a container of jello or a sugar free pudding.
Also, (like we don't have enough paperwork to do) keeping a check list of what I have consumed for the day helps me not to loose track. Plenty of fruits and veggies on hand to munch on keeps the hunger pains manageable.
Now if I could just talk my doc into letting me have a Foley monday thru friday...........
I look at my time card and the hours I spend driving can sometimes be just as much as the time with patients. I get car butt and a sore back sometimes. I try to bring my lunch. I actually can suck yogurt out of the container while I drive so I don't need a spoon. I have it down to a science:)
First of all, congratulations on quitting, no small feat when you're driving around all day that's for sure.
When I think ahead I tend to take little snack packs of almonds, string cheese, pretzels, fruit. Rarely do the driveby, way to many calories, once in a blue moon I might.
I'm really no help though, most the time I just want to get done, pick up the kids and get home. Umm, not too healthy that way though cos I'm generally famished by then and grab whatever jumps out of the pantry at me!
This goes to prove we practically LIVE in our car. You can stat ID a HH nurse's car right by the contents within. And why is it when we have to ride together for some reason, we are embarrassed about the amount of junk and supplies that are in the front seat? WE are ALL the same at our agency! There is more to life than a CLEAN car. I THINK!
i always thought what other home health nurses out there..... i stop at all dunking donuts to pee and drink coffee....like other posters here..i refused to use the bathroom of the homes i visited to...wish we can wear a leg bag.....and iv coffee....funny.....
Specializes in hh, hospice, geriatrics, renal, ltc.
i've gone through phases over the years on what i eat. the same thing after a while leaves me bored. currently i eat balance bars, in the past it was kashi go lean crunch, slim fast shakes, pb and j sandwhiches, or convienence foods ( taco bell or 7-11). when i have an admit i will often plan to sit in a restaurant and eat while i chart, as long as i can keep the PHI confidental, and this is a nice change of pace. i had guatamalin food for lunch today!
NurseRoRo
104 Posts
Thanks for the tips peeps! I'm gonna try some of these tips...especially the sun tea while in the car!! I'm in the habit of freezing part of my tea in my Rubbermaid 100ml bottle the night before and then filling it up the rest of the way in the morning.
I'm tired of carrying meal bars and carrots. I finally started feeding the bag of baby carrots to my dog! I'm also currently hooked on PBJ sandwiches.