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Blog & News/Maintaining Healthy Eating Habits as a Traveling Nurse
As a nurse, your primary focus is the health of others. Putting others first may leave you feeling your own health is on the backburner and that you are pouring from an empty cup. Fastaff is celebrating National Nutrition Month this March by encouraging healthy eating habits for our nurses, especially while on a travel nursing assignment. When you plan ahead to have good nutrition on your assignment, you fuel your body to go the extra mile for your patients, especially in urgent and crucial situations.
National Nutrition Month® is observed every March, led by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a month to focus on eating well, getting ample exercise, and creating positive ongoing changes in your busy lifestyle. Although scheduling your travel assignment with Fastaff may be on your terms, your lunch and snack breaks aren’t as flexible. Follow these tips to quickly create and consume healthy snacks when you have a busy day on the floor.
Invest in a Mason jar
Not only is a Mason jar eco-friendly, it also is highly packable, allowing you the freedom to take it just about anywhere. Before your shift, take five minutes to slice up colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli and celery. Make a healthy dip out of plain Greek yogurt and dry seasoning and add it to your jar of veggies. This snack is easy to eat on the go and will keep your energy level up and your blood sugar levels balanced.
Pack in the Protein
When your protein levels are low, your energy levels sink fast. As a busy traveler and nurse, you need your energy. Pack protein into your diet with a chicken salad for lunch – complete with a boiled egg and a handful of nuts. Other protein sources include Greek yogurt, string cheese, cottage cheese, and beans and legumes, which are all easily packable in a Mason jar or regular container.
Wrap it up
Whether you choose lettuce wraps or tortilla wraps, this snack can easily double as a small meal. Fill your wrap of choice with a protein source, veggies, and a dip of hummus or avocado to get your healthy fats, carbs, and protein.
Make it Quick
No matter which grab-and-go snack you choose, taking a quality multivitamin ensures you receive the proper nutrients to support your busy schedule. A good multivitamin is one that is made with real food sources, instead of synthetic. Try a vitamin that uses real fruits and vegetables to ensure the highest grade of nutrients to nourish your body.
For a whole host of more nutrition goodness, recipes and more, visit Eat Right by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to celebrate your nutrition beyond the month of March.