The Nutritional Toll of 24-Hour Shifts: What New Research Reveals About Healthcare Workers’ Diets
- R.E. Hengsterman
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 2
Source: Navruz Varlı, S., & Mortaş, H. (2024). The Effect of 24 h Shift Work on the Nutritional Status of Healthcare Workers: An Observational Follow-Up Study from Türkiye. Nutrients, 16(13), 2088. DOI link
Why This Study Matters
As a nurse and shift-work researcher, I’ve seen firsthand how long hours reshape not just our sleep and stress—but our nutrition. This new study from Türkiye provides critical insight into how 24-hour shifts affect healthcare workers’ nutrient intake and recovery, an issue that continues to go largely unaddressed in clinical practice.
Study Snapshot
Study Type | Observational follow-up |
Participants | 500 healthcare professionals (nurses, physicians, EMTs) |
Design | Three-day dietary tracking (pre-shift, shift day, post-shift) |
Focus | Energy, macro/micronutrient intake, and food group consumption |
Key Findings
1. Energy Intake Peaks During the Shift, Then Plummets
Shift Day: 2,399 kcal
Pre-Shift: 2,130 kcal
Post-Shift: 1,749 kcal
After a 24-hour shift, calorie and macronutrient intake drops sharply—likely due to fatigue and disrupted appetite cycles.
2. Micronutrient Deficits Post-Shift
Calcium: 55% of DRI (vs. 71% pre-shift)
Fiber: 65% of DRI
Folate: Only 67% of recommended intake
These deficiencies carry long-term implications for bone density, immunity, and cardiovascular health.
3. Food Choices Reflect Exhaustion
Consumption of meat, dairy, and vegetables peaked during shifts, while fruit intake was highest pre-shift. Post-shift, all food groups declined—suggesting workers are too depleted to prepare balanced meals.
What It Means for Healthcare Workers
Nutrient Deficiency Awareness
Chronic under-nutrition following shifts can quietly erode well-being. Deficits in calcium, fiber, and folate may increase the risk of osteopenia, immune dysfunction, and digestive disorders—issues commonly reported by long-term shift workers.
Nutritional Interventions
Pre-Shift: Eat nutrient-dense, high-fiber meals (leafy greens, dairy, whole grains).
During Shift: Offer access to healthy, portable foods (yogurt, nuts, seeds).
Post-Shift: Prioritize easy, nutrient-rich recovery meals to restore depleted stores.
Institutional Recommendations
1. Supportive Nutrition Environments
Provide 24/7 healthy cafeteria options rich in calcium, fiber, and folate.
Create meal-prep stations or refrigerated grab-and-go sections for staff.
Offer nutrition education tailored to shift workers.
2. Integrate Wellness and Monitoring
Pair nutritional guidance with mental health and stress-reduction programs.
Conduct routine nutritional screenings and adjust recommendations by shift schedule.
The Hidden Cost of Shift Work
This study reinforces what many frontline professionals already know:
“Shift work doesn’t just disrupt sleep—it disrupts biology.”
Without targeted nutritional strategies, healthcare workers remain vulnerable to cumulative health decline. Addressing these deficits isn’t a luxury—it’s a professional obligation for institutions committed to sustainable care.
Author: R.E. Hengsterman, MSN, MA, M.E., RN
Registered nurse, night-shift administrator, and author of The Shift Worker’s Paradox
For educational purposes only. Not medical advice.
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