As a nurse, you may find that you prioritize your patients’ health before your own. However, it’s important to fuel your body with healthy foods so you can continue to go the extra mile for your patients. Check out our tips for maintaining a nutritious lifestyle to keep you energized, even on your busiest days.
Prepare your meals in advance
Whether you need to meal prep for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, make sure you always plan ahead so you don’t end up hitting the fast-food drive through. Not only will this benefit your health, but you’ll be saving money as well.
Don’t forget to take your vitamins
Multivitamins are an easy way to receive important daily nutrients. Better yet, a lot of them actually taste pretty good! If you’re the type to forget to take your vitamins, just stick them in your work bag so you know you’ll always have them with you.
Bring healthy snacks
Just as you would meal prep, plan to bring some healthy snacks as well! You’ll find yourself straying away from the desire to see what looks tasty in the vending machine. Some healthy snacks we recommend are nuts, berries, cheese sticks, granola bars, or veggies and ranch.
Try to avoid sugar
We all love a sweet treat, but it’s best to steer clear from sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. If you suffer from a sweet tooth, there are healthier alternatives you could try! Some brands that have healthier options for sweets include Tru Fru, Unreal, Made Good, and Halo Top.
Reduce your caffeine intake
When you start to feel sluggish during the second half of your shift, reach for the H2O instead. Coffee gives a false sense of energy and can make you anxious if you drink too much.
Don’t skip meals
We know that your nursing shifts can get busy, but don’t forget to take a break and fuel your body! When you feel your best, you’re able to provide the best care for your patients. Skipping meals will just make you irritable and tired, so do what you can to eat three balanced meals a day.
Get enough sleep
People don’t always consider how important quality sleep is to our health. The brain and body are able to function at much higher levels when you’ve had at least seven hours of sleep. Prioritize your health and catch some z’s!
Remember the importance of protein
Energy levels drain fast when your protein levels are low and as a nurse you need your energy. Try packing protein into your diet with food like Greek yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and edamame. If you need a quick source of protein that packs a punch, you can even bring a protein shake, protein smoothie, or protein bar with you to your shift.
As you can see, there are many ways to easily factor nutrition into your daily routine. We hope these tips help you busy nurses maintain a nutritious lifestyle. Remember to view our latest healthcare jobs if you’re looking to start your career with Favorite!
