10 Energy Boosting Foods for Your Shift

10 Energy Boosting Foods for Your Shift As a nurse you need a ton of energy for your shift, and to stay active. Whether you are a nurse working in shifts, doing a double, or working twelve hour days, eating the right kind of food will keep you energetic. However, not all foods are created equal and it is important to eat healthy. While some foods are known to make you sleepy, others start to show on your waist. There are ways to eat healthy, remain energetic, and simultaneously lose weight.

1. Sweet potato Sweet potatoes are sometimes confused with yams. However, they do not belong to the same family. Loaded with beta-carotene and carbohydrates, sweet potatoes help fight off fatigue. Eat them as a baked alternative to french fries, or as a treat.

Related: 5 Complaints of Nurses Working Double-Shifts 2. Nuts Raw and unsalted nuts provide your body with sufficient energy to carry out different tasks with ease. Nuts are packed with nutrients and are free of any processing, and they do not add to your weight.

3. Honey Honey is a great alternative to sugar and a spoonful of honey equals an energy drink.

This natural sweetener gets released slowly and often acts as muscle fuel. You can add a spoonful of honey to anything from a cup of green tea to yogurt, even your pancakes.

4. Bananas Bananas primarily consist of different forms of sugar – sucrose, glucose, and fructose. It acts as a foolproof energy food. You can have a banana before your shift, or top it off with peanut butter and have a smoothie at lunch.

5. Yogurt Yogurt is full of good bacteria and calcium. Start your day by adding a dollop of yogurt to your favorite salad, breakfast, or curry. Probiotics found in yogurt enhances the body’s immunity, so it’s a win-win situation.

6. Apples You must have heard, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Well, it also provides an energy boost while keeping your stomach full for a long time. Instead of picking up any other fruit, snack on apples for an instant bolt of energy.

Related: How to Stand Out in a Crowd Full of Nurses 7. Salmon When we talk about healthy food, salmon is a part of the conversation. Salmon is known to be a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers the risk of heart attack.

Salmon is also rich in protein, riboflavin, vitamins, and helps convert food into energy.

8. Spinach Iron helps the body produce energy thus helping you stay awake during your office hours. If you have packed spinach for lunch, you will not feel low on energy after lunch.

So, take this energy food to the hospital with you, and stay energetic throughout your shift.

9. Mushrooms Another iron-rich energy food, mushrooms helps can boost your energy levels. Eating mushrooms boosts iron levels in the body, thus increasing the blood's capacity to transport oxygen. Sufficient oxygen supply to the body can help you feel and stay active.

10. Water Last but not the least, water forms an essential part of the diet and is also responsible for providing energy to the body. Water is responsible for carrying oxygen and other essential nutrients to cells, thus reducing fatigue. So make sure you drink your daily requirement of water. Start making smarter choices and you will never feel hunger pains during your shift.

Related: Skilled Nurse Terri D. Jarman, RN, BSN, to Be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter