Hello there!

My name is Jen... I am a night shift (7p-7a) RN in a pediatric level 1 trauma ER. I work three shifts a week. My shifts are never consistently on the same days so my schedule is all over the place.

I am slotted to have the VSG in early October and was looking for advice on meal planning. Specifically how my fellow nurses who work the same shift out there time their meals and water intake.

Any advice is welcome!

Thank you in advanced!

Hi Jen-I’m a former night shift nurse, now working days M-Th in a clinic, but occasionally pick up a Saturday night shift back in the ED. I plan my intake over 24 hours, from 0001-2359. I pre log in My Fitness Pal what I’m planning to eat for the day and bring all my food to work with me. When I was working nights my 24 hour period looked something like this:

0100 “lunch”, usually a Healthy Choice frozen meal
0500 “breakfast” Ooikos Triple Zero yogurt
1700 “dinner” Some sort of meat & veggie before heading in to work
2100 snack, usually a serving of nuts or pumpkin seeds and a small piece of fruit.

I track Fluid too, but never had any trouble getting in 100+ ounces/day. I still don’t, I definitely have restriction after my sleeve as far as food goes but no problem drinking all I want and need.

I’m not an RN yet but a monitor tech and work 1900-730. I usually eat like this-

1700- dinner at home usually lean protein and veggies (150 calories)

2100- protein shake or bar sometimes I skip this (100-150 calories)

2300- yogurt with fruit (usually blueberries) (100 calories)

0200- veggies and/or protein shake (50-150 calories)

0800- snack when I get home usually egg white or cheese stick with a veggie (75-150 calories)

I usually get my liquid intake in between meals and usually hit 80+ not including protein shakes. Right now my calorie intake is aimed at 600-800 a day with at least 60g of protein. I’m usually pretty good about reaching those goals most days.