Undereating Topic

CarolN95 02/14/23
I work nightshift in healthcare with little time for breaks. I struggle getting in enough calories on days that I work. I tend to eat 2 meals, one when I wake up around 3p and one around 10p. When I try to eat enough calories I will get uncomfortably full. Any suggestions for high quality nutrition high calorie meals or snacks?

Kelly 02/15/23
My doctor recommended putting Vital collagen (from Costco) in my water or coffee. It has helped me to get enough protein when I am working 13 hour days and only stopping once to eat. I am sure it’s not great to cheat like that all the time but if you aren’t under on nutrition overall I am thinking 3-4 times a week might not be detrimental. Odorless and tasteless and doesn’t make my black coffee a weird texture but it’s 70 calories and pure protein, I think.

Dietician 02/16/23 replied to CarolN95
Hi CarolN95 (and Kelly),
Working nightshifts is a real challenge for healthy eating. Sounds like you are getting 2 solid meals a day. The third could be broken up into smaller mini meals or snacks that include protein. We have a blog post on this very subject - please read it here: https://www.mynetdiary.com/healthy-eating-tips-for-night-shift-workers.html

If you are super busy and can't find the time to sit down to eat solid food, a high protein smoothie as a meal replacement might be helpful (and will help you stay hydrated). Try some of our high protein smoothies found in our Premium recipes area (Dashboard / Meal log / tap and hold + sign, find Premium and open that).

Let us know some of the tips you try and how they work for you.

Best,
Kathy (MyNetDiary Dietitian)

Undereating