Working the night shift

[NYLassie]

I work a 12 hr night shift, 4 nights one week and 5 nights the next back and forth. Shift work is awful for the pancreas, among other things, and I have read that it ows the metabolism by about 30%. All the articles I have read about shift work are regarding 8 hour shifts, not 12. Advice on meal times and sleep patterns are all based on shorter shifts than I work. I can't find a dietitian who really knows much at all about shift work. Timing meals, determining how many calories a day I need, etc. It is frustrating.

[nash2 Partner]

That is a tough schedule. You might try to find a dietician associated with a nursing school. Nurses have the problem but I don't know if they teach them anything about it.

[NYLassie in reply to nash2]

Thank you. I will look into that.

[Herman7275]

I worked for an electric utility for 25 yrs and wish I knew now back all those years, Dr told me 20 yrs ago if I didn't change my lifestyle I would turn into obese diabetic, which then after 30 yrs a diabetic, I had a fatty litter,fibrosis & cirrhosis. So no retired shift worker learning now how is best to right all the wrongs I Made by being 35 yr shift worker, if you are going to stay a shift worker live better so your body stays on the + side not the other way!!! Any questions from yrs of experience !!!??? Ron

[NYLassie in reply to Herman7275]

Thanks. I have been doing this shift over 10 years. I eat foods good for my liver, and exercise daily. I recently changed my sleep schedule and am getting more sleep. It's the timing of meals and amount of calories that have me flummoxed. I have read that 5 small meals a day are better for those with NASH, eating late at night is bad, and sticking to regularly scheduled meals is good. I try to go to sleep at 9am. I sleep 4 hours, am up for 2, and back to sleep for 3 or 4 hours before work. My nights off, all bets are off. I stay up late, until about 5am and nap during the day.

[Herman7275]

Its is hard to find a dieticians that tell you best to live and eat while working shift work, its best to figure what is best for you to sleep, work, fix your meals.