Hey there, fellow nurses and health enthusiasts!
Today, I want to talk to you about something near and dear to my heart: nourishing our bodies and igniting that much-needed motivation to eat healthier.
Nurses are not only busy but emotionally and physically exhausted too. Much of the time, they are running around the hospitals, answering a million phone calls, and facing different emotions/demands.
As nurses, we spend our days caring for others, but we must also remember to take care of ourselves. So, let’s dive into this post and discover how we can fuel ourselves for a healthier lifestyle.
So, dear nurses, let’s lead by example and prioritize our own well-being. By embracing these tips and igniting the motivation to eat healthier, we can fuel ourselves for a fulfilling and vibrant life. Take care of yourselves, and together, let’s inspire others on the path to wellness.
The Importance of Healthy Eating
First and foremost, why should you even eat healthy? I mean sure it helps with weight and all that, but there’s SO much more.
Everyone knows it’s good for you, but what exactly does it do for you?!
1. Mental Clarity
When you eat healthy, nutritious foods on a consistent basis, your mind will gain so much clarity and balance.
It’s quite incredible. You will notice
- your thoughts are becoming clear
- processing outside information gets sharper
- your focus improving
- your memory becomes stronger
I imagine file cabinets in my brain, and they simply become a lot more organized when I’m eating healthy versus when I’m not.
2. Energy
Food directly correlates to your energy levels. There is a huge difference in your energy levels after you have a greasy, high-calorie fast food meal and after a well-balanced, nutritious meal.
The proof is in the pudding! You have to compare the difference to realize it.
Nurses need the energy to do their jobs well, so what they eat is extremely important.
3. Mood Regulation
Eating the right food helps us develop and release the neurotransmitters and hormones needed for emotional health.
It is quite easy to become emotionally exhausted while working in healthcare, but eating healthy is a direct aid in that.
There are fewer mood fluctuations because you are fueling your body with the right nutrients. Your body isn’t asking for more, which is a cause of mood fluctuation.
Eating a balanced diet can even help with depression and anxiety, which are two very common struggles for nurses.
Related: How Nurses Can Reduce And Calm Their Anxiety
4. Weight Maintenance
Eating healthy assists in maintaining your weight since your meals aren’t full of empty calories and saturated fats.
Choosing foods that are high in nutritional value and keeping your caloric intake equal to your caloric output will maintain your weight for years to come.
5. Better Sleep
Eating healthy as a nurse will allow your body to absorb proper nutrients, which provides the brain with the right environment it needs to maintain adequate sleep.
Nutrients serve as building blocks for other minerals and proteins that are needed for proper sleep!
It’s quite amazing how a balanced diet connects to every part of your life.
6. Strengthens Immunity
A healthy diet ensures good immune function.
Many nurses work directly with sick patients, so it is integral to maintain good immune function!
Motivation to Eat Healthier
The first step is realizing to eat healthier, it does not take a unique or super-motivated person.
In order to find the motivation to eat healthier, you need to do some inner work first.
Find your why, focus on how healthy eating makes you feel, and then start building a plan.
Things become a lot more fun when it’s a goal or challenge too!
1. Embrace the Power of Knowledge
As healthcare professionals, we understand the importance of knowledge. So, let’s apply that principle to our own nutrition.
Educate yourself about the benefits of a well-balanced diet, the role of different food groups, and the impact of nutrition on overall health. The more you know, the more motivated you’ll be to make positive changes.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a healthy eating habit. Start small and set achievable goals.
Maybe it’s adding an extra serving of vegetables to your meals or swapping out sugary drinks for water. Celebrate these small victories along the way, and gradually work towards bigger changes.
3. Make Healthy Eating Convenient
We all lead busy lives, and it can be tempting to grab fast food or unhealthy snacks when time is limited. But with a little planning, you can make healthy eating a convenient choice.
Wondering how to eat healthy without cooking? Well, there are LOADS of ways.
Prepare nutritious meals and snacks in advance, pack them for work, and keep healthy options readily available.
There are plenty of store-bought items that can be convenient, such as precooked rice, chopped veggies, or cooked lentils. By having nourishing choices at your fingertips, you’ll be less likely to give in to unhealthy temptations.
4. Find Joy in Cooking
Cooking can also be a form of self-care and therapeutic, depending on your perspective and relationship with it.
Cooking your own meals allows you to take control of what goes into your body. Experiment with new recipes, explore different flavors and make it a fun experience.
Get creative in the kitchen and involve your colleagues or loved ones. Sharing healthy meals together not only fosters a sense of community but also strengthens your commitment to eating well.
Nothing gives me more motivation to eat healthier than putting on a nice, chill house music mix and having all of my ingredients in front of me, ready to be whipped into something delicious!
5. Prioritize Self-Care
As nurses, we often put the needs of others before our own. But remember, self-care is crucial.
Make time for yourself, whether it’s going for a walk, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in a hobby you love.
By nurturing your overall well-being, you’ll find yourself naturally gravitating towards healthier choices, including what you put on your plate.
6. Connect with Like-Minded Individuals
Motivation thrives in a supportive environment. Seek out fellow nurses or health-conscious individuals who share your goals. Join online communities, participate in wellness challenges, or even start a healthy eating club at your workplace.
Having a support system can keep you accountable and provide a space for sharing tips, recipes, and success stories.
7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Remember, healthy eating is a journey, not a destination. Don’t beat yourself up over occasional slip-ups or indulgences. Instead, focus on your overall progress.
Celebrate the positive changes you’ve made and the impact they have on your energy levels, mood, and overall health.
Small steps in the right direction lead to significant transformations over time.
Healthy Eating Habits For Busy Nurses
There are so many resources out there that can help you not do all of the work. What I mean by this is buy a healthy recipe book, follow a food blogger who makes healthy meals, or find meal ideas online that you can add to your rotation.
You do not have to think of meals out of thin air! Get fun and creative in the kitchen with some inspiration you find.
Another tip is to focus on some of your favorite meals, but make them a little healthier. For example, I love quesadillas, so I’ll make them at home with tons of veggies, some light cheese, low-carb tortillas, and fresh salsa. It’s a TON of flavor, still remains healthy, and hits a lot of major food groups.
You must listen to your body and what it likes. Don’t like brussels sprouts or eggs? Don’t eat them! You literally do not have to eat something just because it’s healthy.
There are hundreds of alternatives and modifications to recipes if something doesn’t suit your palette.
Understand And Learn Basic Nutrition
Before you begin your journey to healthy eating, you must know the basics. Laying out your foundation is probably the most important step.
I am not a nutritionist, so when I started my own journey, what did I do?
Google!
We are blessed, guys. We have the internet at our fingertips, and you better be utilizing it! Learning the basics about nutrition is going to help you understand why you’re eating certain things, what to look for in meals you may not get to cook (eating out), and how to properly shop for groceries.
Don’t go crazy here. Read 1-2 articles and that’s it.
Here is a great one I really love: Nutrition 101: Back to Basics
Focus On How Healthy Food Makes You Feel
To save on time and stop you from constantly wondering what to eat next, take a step back and focus on how certain foods make you feel.
This is research that’s going to pay you forward. Once you know “Oh, almonds keep me full for 2-2.5 hours, and I always feel light and energetic after” you confirm that almonds are a good snack for you.
And there you go…wondering what kind of snack to bring to work? Your answer can be almonds because of how they made you feel that one time!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and make a purchase!
Write Out Meal Ideas
Going back to my emphasis on planning, writing out meal ideas is going to help save so much time!
If Sundays are your recharge days, take ten minutes to plan your meals for the week.
I LOVE this magnetic fridge meal planner. It keeps me accountable, organizes my week (which is so therapeutic), and eliminates that annoying feeling of coming home from work, too tired to think of what to make.
Pack Lunch And Snacks The Night Before
Nurses and healthcare workers have various different shifts, but regardless of when you actually go to work, you need to pack your meals ahead of time.
Doing this is going to eliminate any last-minute changes you may want to make, or laziness to creep in where you then think “I’ll just buy something today, it’s fine.”
Use A Large Water Bottle
Invest in a large water bottle so you do not have to refill it often. Set a goal to finish the bottle during your work day, and then work your way up to more.
One of my favorite bottles is this insulated one that comes in cute prints and colors. I have fresh, cold water ALL day and I do not have to fill it up often.
In Summary…
Building healthy habits is very possible for busy nurses and healthcare workers, and increasing your motivation to do isn’t that difficult.
It starts with a choice and mindset work. Once you establish that, the possibilities are endless.
In fact, it can be fun to go through this journey because you are going to experience all of the benefits as time goes on.
There is a sense of empowerment and control you will gain as you go through a healthy eating habit journey, and you will never go back!
Taking care of yourself is the utmost important thing as a healthcare worker. If you want to dedicate your career to helping others, you must first take care of yourself.
Related: Balancing Health and Hectic Schedules: 7 Healthy Eating Habits For Busy Nurses
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