I got this from a flyer from our clinic. Here’s something that all night shift people should know:

GUIDELINES FOR DIET AND EATING PATTERNS

• Maintain regular eating patterns as much as possible. Balance, varied meals are very important.
• Time meals carefully. Afternoon workers should have the main meal in the middle of the day instead of the middle of the work shift. Night workers should eat lightly throughout the shift and have a moderate breakfast.
• Pay careful attention to the type of food eaten. Drink lots of water and eat the usual balance of vegetables, fruit, lean meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, grains and bread. Eat crackers and fruit instead of pop and candy bars during work breaks. Reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol. Avoid greasy foods, particulary at night.
• Avoid excessive use of anatacids, tranquilizers and sleeping pills. It is healthier to watch what and when you eat and use relaxation techniques to aid sleep.
• Relax during meals and allow time for digestion.

I honestly have not been following these guidelines at all but I think it’ll be a good idea to try and break a bad habit. First of all, maintaining a regular eating pattern while working at night is extremely hard. Watching the type of food eaten is even harder as McDonald’s is just outside your office and there’s a gazillion vendo machines for sodas and junk food surrounding me. I do not use tranquilizers nor sleeping pills but I do use antacids such as Kremil-S and Zantac (since I’m acidic), and melatonin to aid my sleep. As for relaxing during meals to allow time for digestion… Gah, I wish I did that before the medical leave that I wish I never had.

More coming soon!!!