NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours

Diet Suggestions for Night-Shift Nurses (Continued)

As discussed in Module 3, shift workers are at somewhat higher risk for developing obesity and several types of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. Poor diet is also linked to these health problems. Therefore, to help protect your health, it is best to follow these general diet recommendations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010¹⁶ and the American Cancer Society¹⁷:

• Eat vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free or lowfat dairy products, and seafood more often.

• Eat less often foods and beverages high in solid fats (major sources of saturated and trans fats) and added sugars, and reduce sodium (salt) intake.

• Include fish, poultry, beans, eggs, nuts, and lean meat, but rarely eat processed or red meat.

• Balance calories with physical activity to manage weight.

• Minimize alcohol consumption.