{"id":13901,"date":"2021-07-24T22:39:32","date_gmt":"2021-07-25T02:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/?p=13901"},"modified":"2023-08-24T16:29:49","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T06:29:49","slug":"energy-boosting-night-shift-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/energy-boosting-night-shift-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy-Boosting Foods for Night Shift: What To Eat and When"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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To fight nighttime fatigue, having the right snacks on hand can help boost your energy and keep you feeling alert, focused, and buzzing all night long. For shift workers pulling these late night and early morning hours, it comes as no surprise that maintaining high energy levels and staying focused becomes challenging. But with the right food and a little bit of preparation, you can avoid the middle-of-the-night energy crashes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best energy-boosting foods for night shift workers include a combination of protein, fiber, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates such as hard-boiled eggs, salmon, banana, avocado, spinach, berries, peanut\/almond butter and whole-grain bread. Focus on sustainable small snacks that slowly release their energy rather than large meals.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re feeling sluggish when working a night shift, this post will be right down your alley! We will first explore why we are drawn to “bad foods” at night particularly when we are sleep deprived. Then we will give you some tips on what you should fill your lunch box with. Feeling revived all night shift is just a few bites away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Night Shift Food Cravings <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Why Do I Find Myself Making Bad Food Choices At Night?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever struggled to get through your night shift or experienced uncomfortable symptoms ranging from appetite issues<\/a>, weight gain, or intense cravings? I bet for most of us the answer is yes. We have all experienced at least one, if not all, of these symptoms at some point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work we do and the time we do it can be hard on our bodies and often lead to unhealthy habits. And while the vending machines might be calling our names, there are certain foods and drinks<\/a> you should reach for and other foods you should avoid when it comes to boosting energy levels and getting you through the long hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritizing clean proteins and healthy fats like eggs, nuts, and avocados can help shift workers stay satiated and maintain energy levels. (source<\/a>) Before you go into work and especially once you are there, focus on this healthy mix of protein and fat to avoid those unwanted cravings and energy crashes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Foods like nuts, seeds, hard boiled eggs, hummus, and plain Greek yogurt (try to avoid those with unnecessary amounts of added sugar) are all great choices. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And while it may be tempting to grab that beautifully packaged and let\u2019s just say it, delicious, treat from the vending machine, it will only do more harm than good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all experienced junk food cravings after a bad nights\u2019 sleep. But did you know there is actual science as to why that is<\/a>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we lack sleep our hunger hormone, ghrelin, spikes, making us feel hungry. For shift workers doing their most important work in the middle of the night, it\u2019s important to anticipate this and have the right foods to combat these hunger strikes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found this information plus so many more shift work-related tips in this book pictured below. It’s certainly made me a much healthier shift worker (and gave me lots of meal suggestions). Highly recommend! Here’s where you can find it on Amazon. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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Often, it\u2019s easy to find things like apples or bananas where we work. But the key is to be prepared and pair these quick snacks with a protein or fat source to keep blood sugar levels from spiking and maintain energy levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, we live in a time where access to better quality snack foods is easier than ever. And with a little preparation, night shift workers can successfully get through their shift while maintaining their focus and keeping a clear head. (Here are a few great meal prep tips<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sounds simple enough, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well like most things, having the right energy boosting food to keep you feeling great all night long is easier said than done. And for a busy night shift worker, eating healthy might not always be a top priority. Let\u2019s dive into realistic food options, how to properly prepare for your work week, and what foods and beverages<\/a> to avoid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To kick things off, here are a few posts Dan and I have written about food and shift work<\/p>\n\n\n\n