The Nutritional Toll of 24-Hour Shifts: What New Research Reveals About Healthcare Workers’ Diets
- R.E. Hengsterman
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
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
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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