Eating right after a stressful day

H

hibou

New member
Hello everyone,


I'm a third-year Nursing student - this means the beginning of 12-hour shifts for our clinical studies.


I've recently decided to be vegan. It's been working well... except yesterday. I completely botched it by eating a grilled ham and cheese sandwich after the end of my clinical day. The trouble was that I was feeling really tired and the thought of going home to fix myself a nice bowl of healthy salad and beans did not appeal to me at all. I didn't even take a second look at the orange in my bag. I just wanted a nice cheesy sandwich to shove into my mouth. I was hungry, tired, and stressed out and just did not think. My feet just moved on their own. I didn't regain my consciousness until after the sandwich had been devoured. Needless to say, I felt terrible.


I was wondering.... Does anyone have any words of wisdom or tips for me to get over the end-of-the-work-day hump without eating crap that will only make me feel bad later?
 
hehe, oh i have been there and done that..again and again and again.


As a graduate student and full time worker, i know how hard it is some days to go home, cook a healthy meal, and eat it...it's like the WORST possible thing you can think of.


Sometimes you have to treat yourself for your hard work. You might feel guilty, but you have to remind yourself that sometimes you need that treat.


Tips to combat these cravings are: PLAN PLAN PLAN PLAN!!!


Sundays I always go to the grocery store and cook up my lunches and dinners for the week (or at least have a meal plan)...this stops the stress of having to shop, plan, and cook! I can grab something quick and easy (and healthy) to fulfil my hunger.


I don't know about others but i like to have little healthy snacks, and create "snacky" plates...so these will have fresh veggies, fruit, some cheese and chicken/turkey...I know you're a vegan, but maybe this can consist of veggies, fruit, nuts, and crackers & peanut butter....little taste sensations that are quick, easy, and gives you tasting variety (it also doesn't take much time to put together!)
 
Another thing you can do, which is a very quick solution when you can't be bothered preparing a proper meal, is to make a really yummy protein smoothie. If you are still following the Vegan diet you will obviously have to find non-dairy alternatives to the ingredients, but here's what I do. I add a scoop of protein powder to my blender, add a frozen banana or some frozen berries and some greek yogurt, or you could add low cal ice cream, cover the lot with milk and whizz away. It makes a thick, creamy shake that seems to hit all the right spots and gives me the protein and carbs I need to recover. Obviously this isn't the best alternative to fresh foods, but it's a quick and easy option :)
 
Could you stock your locker with something like those edamame soy bean snacks so that you have something healthy to snack on while you're thinking up what to do for dinner?


I like to always have a bag (or three) of peeled baby carrots on hand for the inevitable "must-have-munchies" moments.


My favorite quick, easy (and even vegan!) substantial snack/first half of dinner is apple slices dipped into peanut butter and then into raisins, so that the raisins are stuck to the apple with the peanut butter.


Just some suggestions - hope they help.
 
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