Night Shift Help

[CCRM]

Working completely random shifts is probably what helped me to put on weight in the first place, but anyone else in the same situation and how do you cope with night shifts? - I'm pretty good during the day but not if working in the night (and having big multi bags of crisps available doesn't help) but even the day after my eating pattern is all messed up

 

[Elvisfan4life]

Try packable snacks and lots of fruit...the last 2 SW mags have some great recipes for snack box lunches with lots of variety. Id save my heb bars for snacks as well

 

[liz3]

How about cooking up some savoury rice and adding veg and boiled eggs to it (depending on what you like obviously) and taking it with you in a box? Eggs will keep you full as will the rice. I cook mine and have them all ready in the fridge for an emergency snack if I feel hungry and can't be bothered cooking. Stock up on fruit and take low syn options with you, and as the above poster has said, try cereal bars for your healthy extra B too.

 

[Ruby22222]

I do shift work and completely agree! There are certain danger hours, like when you get in at 2 in the morning, or only have access to vending machines!

I've learnt to be really disciplined about meal planning!

I don't think meals are particularly appetising in Tupperware, so now bring a fancy sandwich in (obviously from my allowance) and pack lots of fruit and a yogurt!

And of course have mug shots on

Before and after work I have a good cooked meal.

The count on us range have some low syn ready meals too! If you can get to a microwave whilst at work?

 

[CCRM]

I can't have many ready meals - I also have coeliacs and most ready meals contain gluten (as do most cereal bars - when I tried looking them up online they all seemed high syns)

I have to be more organised I think

 

[Barbette]

I worked constant nights for 18 months and I found having something sweet like fruit when I was tired and craving sugar helped. I also used to save all my syns for the night so if I wanted a bit of chocolate or some crisps or a hot chocolate I could without going over. I also found making sure I had a good meal before I went to work so I wasn't as hungry helped. I used to take plenty of nibbles to pick at through the shift, little and often.
And I know what you mean about only having naughty food around, I work in a hotel and the only food on site at night was crisps and sweets in vending machines, starbucks and chocolates on the tables in conference areas. I hope you find something that works for you and good luck x

 

[stburgan]

Hi I work a mixture of shifts days nights weekends. I finding have to be really organised and bring lots with me if I have Syns with me them less likely to Snack on rubbish
I tend to take a meal with me quiche and salad for instance
2 packets of low syn Crisps 6.5 Syns
2 benefit light bars (hb) I know u said u can't do cerial bars
Chopped fruit and ff yogurt. Then fruit bowl fruit and grapes to pick at
Low syn choc bar 5 Syns
Pink and white 2.5 Syns or a Options hot choc
Sometime mini babybel as a healthy a

It does look a lot but keeps me on track and tho don't always eat it all I know it's there

 

[louise1982]

I tend to try and stick to a routine with eating on nights. I'm on a night shift tonight so the plan is to eat chicken, veg and noodles at 6pm before I go.
I'll take a sandwich, low fat crisps, fruit and I will syn some nuts as these full me up and stop me from reaching for the biscuit tin. This will be for my 'dinner' at around 2am.
I will eat an omelette followed by fruit and yogurt when I get home at 8.30. I use my hea for milk at work for coffees.
I only eat on official breaks as this is what I do on days and I also drink 3l of water which helps with the tiredness.