I have just changed my schedule at work to grave yard for the next 6 months. So, far I have lost 30 lbs. and want to keep going, but I feel this schedule will be a challenge. I want to snack all day and eat meals while I am on my shift, which ends up being a lot of food, and I am worried that I am going to gain the weight back. How can I regulate my eating pattern? When should I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner? Should I snack when I’m trying to fight sleep at work? -Roxanne
Night shift or not, you shouldn’t eat to fight sleep. Having counseled night shift / graveyard workers in several industries (hospitality, casino and truck drivers), I find that you should adjust your meal timing and volume to your new work/sleep schedule. Have your breakfast when you wake-up, eat your largest meal midway through your waking hours and another meal toward the end of your waking day. Avoid caffeine when you start to fade—a carbonated drink might do the trick.- Debbie J., MS, RD
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Sometimes, not liking your job or your assignments results in spending your time doing something else, and snacking is often a simple option.Tackle the cause.Eat a larger breakfast make more sustaining energy food choices,Choose healthy snacks: over sweet and salty snacks.Go outside for a break. Sometimes exercise will be a better answer than food at work. Instead of spending 10 minutes snacking, do 10 minutes brisk walking, even in cold weather. It’ll wake you up.Stay busy,you tend to eat treats if you’re bored. If you’re able to keep yourself hectic you may not even think about snacks. Responsibilities to complete may help keep the mind off lovely goodies.