Ever since mankind decided to start cultivating plants and make the shift from hunter gatherer societies to agriculture societies, humanity has been destined to upset the sleep cycle. We no longer rise and sleep with the sun like our ancestors used to. The cities of the world are running 24/7, all day every day. This means there are millions of people working counter to their natural circadian rhythms via the night shift.
Most people do not want to work the night shift, but sometimes you have no choice. But if you mismanage your diet and your sleep cycle while on the night shift, your body can suffer some serious problems. It can lead to moodiness, massive fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, weight loss, depression, anxiety, and loss of focus. That’s not a place anyone wants to be in.
There is a secret to regulating your body when you’re working night shifts: snacking and sleep. Weight gain is a major issue for night shift workers, so you may be wondering why snacking may be good for your health as a night shift worker. Snacking gives your body energy without overwhelming it and causing it to slow down due to the food digestion process.
Snacking itself doesn’t cause weight gain, it’s the type of snacks that you eat which put on the pounds. Generally speaking, night shift snacks should be rich in protein and dietary fiber, two substances your body needs, but that slowly provide energy. You can eat less and get a bigger boost.
It is also important to make sure that your snack doesn’t come too close to your meal. Night shift workers should eat their primary meal before their shift begins; normally between 5-7 pm. Also stay hydrated so that you can reduce hunger cravings.
