Tips on planning nutritious meals and taking breaks for nurses who have trouble accessing healthy food at work

Shift work is known to be associated with health risks, including a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. The reasons for this are complex but diet is thought to be a factor and research suggests that those who work rotating shifts often have unhealthy dietary patterns. Eating well around a long nursing shift is often difficult, but making small changes can help reduce health risks.