Been at a desk for 20-years, now at physical labor. Recently figured out that I’m running a serious caloric deficit, and I’m already a skinny fucker. Also, I’m aiming to build a little muscle and a lot of endurance. How do I eat?!
Back when I was working hard, ate tons of fast food. Too expensive and time consuming, don’t want off the clock to go eat (hour round trip including eating). Took a 12-hour shift today and did OK sucking down granola bars, water and kratom, ate my wife’s kickass meal when I got home.
What can I cook or bring to work to power me? What’s simple and cheap and doesn’t require much on-site prep? (We have a microwave, toaster, all that, I just want calories and protein in my face with no fuss). Afraid I’m half-ass cannibalizing myself.
My observation from hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and also from babies, is that you can burn through your blood sugar in about 2 hours. It doesn’t matter what you eat but target 200-300 calories every 2 hours while working. In a 12-hour shift that might be 5 snack breaks in addition to breakfast and dinner.
I would bring everything you like eating, like a big snack bag, and just eat what looks good for 10 minutes. Potato chips, Cheetos, Nutter Butters (or other cookies), dinner leftovers, trail mix, candy bars, fruit snacks, cheez-its. I like Pro Bars for their caloric density. For breakfast whole milk Greek yogurt has a lot of protein. Smoothie or with granola & seeds/nuts.