NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours

Diet Suggestions for Night-Shift Nurses (Continued)

• General diet suggestion from Lowden et al.¹⁰ is to avoid alcohol and foods with added sugar. Eat complete meals with animal products and starchy vegetables or protein-rich plant foods (beans plus cereals, rice, pasta, root vegetables) and nonstarchy vegetables and fruits or vegetarian meals consisting of protein-rich plant foods, fruits and vegetables.
• If you are a night worker, eat a small breakfast before day sleep to avoid waking due to hunger.
• Avoid large meals 1 to 2 hours before the main sleep episode.

Additional guidelines from Holmbäck,¹³ Knauth and Hornberger,¹⁴ and Lennernäs¹⁵:

• Avoid heavy, fatty, or spicy foods
• Try to have only light caffeine during your shift