Nurses may find that they aren't always able to take their meals on time. Long shifts can be very exhausting. Most of the time, nurses don't even have enough time to prioritize their meals. So in order to boost their energy levels, nurses may bring a few healthy snacks to work. A compilation of a list of snacks for nurses will be provided to assist you in choosing the perfect snacks for nurses.
Why Nurses Need Snacks
It's essential for nurses to choose the right snacks. Aside from coffee that gives a stamina boost, other healthy nibbles provide vital nutrients. These snacks should be high in protein and complex carbohydrates. Protein helps nurses to prevent themselves from getting hungry since they're not easily digested.
The snacks that they should choose should be convenient and easy to eat. This is possible when the snacks do not require utensils in order to consume them. Take note that you are bringing them to work, it should fit in the scrub pockets. You might be walking around the hospital for a few hours, it's a good thing that you have something inside your pockets to deal with hunger. This means snacks that don't require refrigeration can be very handy!
Here's a List of Healthy Snacks for Nurses
1. High Quality Beef Jerky
This is very nutritious with 240 grams of protein per bag and zero gram carbs. It is sugar-free, nitrate-free, and gluten-free.
It is very tasty as it's marinated in vinegar and spices. The snack comes in three flavors: original, Zulu peri-peri, and steakhouse. All flavors in common are steaky, tender, and chewy. Just perfect for long-hour shifts.
The original flavor features sea salt, coriander, black pepper, and allspice. Steakhouse brims with garlic and paprika. Zulu peri-peri is steamed in garlic, onion, and pepper. All the flavors are very tasty!
The quality and taste of the product are impressive.
2. Hummus
Hummus is a delicious snack with nutritional benefits. Typically, it is made by blending chickpeas, ground sesame beans, garlic, olive oil, garbanzo beans, and lemon juice.
Hummus is scientifically proven to be healthy. For every 100 grams of hummus, it contains a wide variety of nutrients. Specifically, it has 166 calories, 9.6 grams of fat, 7.9 grams of protein, and many more vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and potassium.
This snack is a perfect option for those who are on a vegan diet. This gives enough protein that is very helpful for immune function and optimal growth.
Aside from these minerals and vitamins, it is also rich in ingredients that fight inflammation. The chickpeas, olive oil, and sesame seeds present in this snack are proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.
This is easy to add to your diet. You can spread it onto your sandwich or use it to make a tasty dip for crunchy foods.
You can make it at home or you can find it in supermarkets. If there is no available hummus in the supermarket, it only takes 10 minutes to make it.
Check out the Hummus: The Ultimate Recipe Guide to make your own at home.
3. String Cheese
String cheese is a high-protein snack great for nurses. It is rich in minerals and vitamins particularly, calcium and selenium.
Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones. Meanwhile, selenium is necessary for producing seleno-enzymes: considered as antioxidants in the body.
Even just a stick of string cheese already contains a significant amount of Vitamins, especially Vitamin B12. It is a good choice for a snack during a long day shift. As you know, Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient to support nervous system function and cell metabolism. It also helps prevent anemia.
Aside from that, this snack is also a great source of protein. If you want a high-protein meal, you might want to combine two sticks of string cheese with hard-boiled eggs. You can also add an ounce serving of nuts and a few fresh fruits.
As a nurse, you need to have healthy snacks while working too. They can keep you energized, fueled and healthy.
4. Yogurt
It is so great to get impressive health benefits even from just a single serving of yogurt.
Different brands may vary in content but mostly, you can get 12 to 20 grams of protein per serving. For every cup, you may get 49% of your daily calcium needs. Yogurt also contains live bacteria which is beneficial for digestive health.
Nutrients such as calcium, protein, potassium, and phosphorus are present in a cup of yogurt. Those are nutrients that help in preventing the weakening of bones.
As a simple trivia, yogurts were made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. You'll notice that yogurts have a unique flavor. That is because of the substance that causes milk proteins to curdle.
These probiotic types present in each serving of yogurt are proven to lessen symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Yogurts also help strengthen your immune system and prevent illnesses.
But take note that yogurt may not be for everyone. Excessive or daily intake may cause adverse effects to those who have a milk allergy. There are proteins found in milk products that certain people are allergic to.
Also, people who are lactose intolerant may feel a few digestive symptoms after consuming yogurts.
Always remember that the best yogurts are those that have no added sugar and contain a few ingredients. If you want to make your own yogurt, we suggest getting the Homemade Yogurt & Kefir Recipe Book.
5. Nuts
Nuts are high in fat and calories. Commonly, nuts that are available in a store are almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia and many more. Most of them have similar characteristics and nutrients. An ounce or 28 grams of nuts contains 173 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 16 grams of fat.
Nuts are easy to consume and bring to work, you can place them in your pockets. Nuts are loaded with antioxidants. Research says antioxidants in almonds protect fats in your cells.
They are also high in beneficial fiber. Fiber is very helpful in making you feel full. Nuts with the highest fiber per ounce are almonds. Almonds contain 3.5 grams per 1-ounce serving. Almond nuts also promote weight loss.
Peanut butter, on the other hand, has high-fat content but is rich in nutrients. You should consume peanut butter in moderation.
6. Protein or Granola Bars
Protein bars or granola bars are popular among busy people. These are ready-to-eat food specially on the go and a great source of calcium, B vitamins, iron, and potassium. These are a good source of fiber and protein that help in curbing hunger.
People who have busy work schedules should have nutritious food that is easy to eat. Protein bars or granola bars may contain as much sugar, carbs, and calories as candies. That's why you should still find the brand suitable for your health needs, ones with very limited added sugar.
7. Dark Chocolate
Chocolate is proven to boost energy levels. Nursing students, interns in the university, or nursing practitioners can consider this as a choice of snack for their daily work.
Chocolate also increases blood flow. Therefore, an excellent choice for people whose job requires extended periods of standing. A nurse deserves to have good health as well. One of the best ways to keep them healthy is to ensure that they get enough nutrients. In cases of emergency or a long shift, not being able to take meals on time is inevitable. That's why they need food they can conveniently eat during short breaks or when they're on the go.
Darker chocolates are better because of their healthy compounds. They tend to have less sugar than milk chocolates.
8. Apples
An apple is a power snack for every nurse. It is one of the healthiest fruits great for working professionals. Fruits like this one give a lot of benefits. These kinds of fruit are easy to carry, bring to work and won't be squished in your lunch bag.
Nursing or taking care of patients comes with different challenges. A nurse needs to maintain physical strength. Every nurse's health should also be given enough care and attention. Thus, if you have a friend who works as a nurse, make sure to give them healthy foods like this fruit.
Eating apples will contribute fiber and Vitamin C to your body. They are incredibly good for every nurse. Fruits are so natural, that's why you must not overlook their benefits.
And if you are thinking about where to buy a constant supply of fruit, they are always available in the market or support your local farmer.
Tips and Advice for Choosing Snacks
Grams of Protein Present in the Snack
One of the things you should bear in mind when choosing which snack is best for a nurse is its protein content. Protein gives a lot of help to maintain a healthy body and promote growth. It's also part of the process that fuels your energy.
Take note that you also need to be cautious about food with high sodium content. Sodium may not have calories but too much sodium can lead to serious risks.
Also, if you don't consider gaining weight, you should be aware of the products with high or low-fat content. High in calories are advisable as well.
Quick to Prepare and Easy to Eat
Every medical practitioner may not have a huge amount of time to eat their meal while at work. But they can have something in their pockets they can consume quickly. Quick snacks like string cheese and fruit are portable. They don't even require utensils, you can use your hand. It will no longer be hard to consume the whole snack.
Nurses should also choose nibbles that are rich in vitamins and nutrients such as B vitamins, calories, protein, and many more. Most of the products on the list are low-fat.
Speaking of quick snacks, most of the products enumerated above are available in the supermarket. Majority of them do not have to be cooked, they are readily available for purchase.
Conclusion
Not being able to take a meal affects one person's ability to focus on his or her job. While most get used to living the way it is, eating healthy is not new for some. By choosing the foods just right for the nature of work you have, you can have the energy that you can use to accomplish your tasks efficiently and effectively.
Nurses have gone through a lot even when they were still in university. As they become new in the profession, they have learned what it means to put your own health at risk to save others'. The profession comes with great responsibility.
The list of snacks for nurses will surely help these professionals enjoy a quick snack to satisfy their hunger despite their busy schedules. New habits of eating healthy will help you have a good life with a low risk of getting illnesses.