I’ve spoken with many nurses about the challenges of eating well when working long shifts, particularly at night. Challenges include the lack of structured eating times, short eating breaks, and limited food options. Because of this, many nurses choose a pre-packaged heat and serve meal, such as NutriSystem and Jenny Craig. Do these diets work, and are they a good option?
The NutriSystem diet is based on the glycemic index which measures how rapidly a food causes blood sugar levels to rise, compared to the blood sugar rise following ingestion of glucose (sugar). NutriSystem claims they use foods with a low-glycemic index.
It is the low amount of calories, however, that makes this plan effective, not so much the glycemic index of the foods. If this food plan is followed for all meals and snacks, a typical caloric intake would be between 1200 and 1500 calories a day. On this plan, the person typically consumes around 55% carbohydrates, 25% protein and 20% fats daily, which is generally considered low-fat.
Will this help you to lose weight? Absolutely. An average typically active female around 5’6” weighing around 145 pounds needs about 2200 to 2400 calories to maintain her weight. With NutriSystem, she would be dropping her caloric intake by over 1000 calories a day. That would equate to about two pounds lost in one week alone, given that one pound of fat contains 3500 calories.
What is the down-side to this kind of diet? This diet is great for starting the weight loss trend. If someone is very active, however, it may not be enough calories to keep them energized through activities. I would not recommend restricting calories this low for someone who is exercising vigorously more than 45 minutes a day, every day, or who is super-active throughout the day.
Also, this type of diet does not encourage a hands-on approach to eating nutritious foods. Once the plan is over, the consumer is left on their own with the same bad habits that got them overweight to begin with. Unless you plan on ordering NutriSystem foods for the rest of your life, someday you will have to eat a well-balanced diet without pre-packaged foods.
What NutriSystem can be useful for, however, is to give nurses a nutritious low-calorie meal when in a pinch for time. If food convenience is what is going to keep you eating healthy on a shift, then this is a good choice. It has the taste and feel of a home-cooked meal, and is relatively cheap and easy to heat and serve.
My recommendation? If you struggle with eating poorly at work, and preparing healthy meals to take to work has failed in the past, then using NutriSystem meals may be just the thing you need to have a healthy meal on the job. In order to keep your weight in control over the long haul, however, I recommend learning healthy cooking strategies at home so that you can have a lifetime of healthy habits and keep weight in the healthy zone. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a cycle of losing and gaining weight for years to come.
About the Author: Alice Burron is an affiliate spokesperson and highly successful personal trainer for the American Council on Exercise. She earned a master’s in physical education with an emphasis in exercise physiology from the University of Wyoming and is a leading national fitness and wellness program expert.
Check out Alice's new book Four Weeks to Fabulous, created to empower the average working woman who is busy with her family, career, and wants to take control of her weight - and health. Four Weeks to Fabulous is available at www.2BFIT.net, or can be purchased on Amazon. Please note that when ordering on 2BFIT.net, you must click on Buy Now under "Special Offer for NurseTogether members - Free Shipping."
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