I get hungry a lot. Even more when I am on a job where breaks and food source are unknown. In my attempt to eliminate the fears I still have associated with working in the live event industry I have asked for help.
My friend Maja is math teacher by day and a chef by night. After a short conversation about my eating habits she gave me some tips and recipes that I am guessing will apply to many of my collegues.
I eat too many carbohydrates and not enough protein. Carbohydrates are burned away quickly while protein provides a more sustaining fuel. Just being conscious of this has gone far to helping me on the job.
In The Field
I traveled to Napa recently to work on a wedding over the course of two days. As usual there was no information on food sources or time for breaks. Normally I would get hungry in the late morning and then suffer into the later afternoon until I could get a break to search out sustenance, but this time I had sandwiches!
SANDWICH
- Carbohydrates: Bread
- Protein: Meats (turkey, ham), Cheese (gouda), Hummus
- Vitamins: Avocado, Tomato
I had a couple of big sandwiches like this and a couple of almond butter and jelly and I was set for the day. Now you might be asking, “Why are you impressed by sandwiches?” Well, it’s not the sandwiches that impressed me, but the foresight to make them with good things and bring them with me. It hurt to watch other people on the job suffer for lack of planning, but I’m finally glad that after 10 years I have learned that the client is not worried about my well-being. His focus is always the work. I have to take care of myself.
It’s also important to point out that I didn’t eat anything but sandwiches, fruit, and water. No sodas, candy, or caffeine (minus morning joe). I think you could work those in without too much ill affect, but a lot of times I don’t know if I’ll be working for another 2 hours or 10 hours so I need to preserve every last drop of energy.
Another great example of a similar experience was a reggae festival I mixed recently. I was the only sound engineer contracted to mix 12 bands so I ended up trapped at FOH for 19 hours! As long as that is, I was able to stay fairly comfortable with my bag of sandwiches and fruit until the last two hours or so. A man can only take so much reggae.
By now, as you can imagine, sandwiches have gotten boring so Maja gave me another recipe, this time for something that feels more like a meal.
COUSCOUS MEDLEY
- Carbohydrates: Couscous
- Protein: Meat/Cheese (tuna)
- Vitamins: Crunchy (vegetables), Soft (fruit)
- Dressing: Olive Oil, Lemon Juice
To prepare: Make Couscous, chop vegetables and fruit, mix everything
Cost: About $10
Value: About 3 meals
As you can see the recipe is simple and flexible. Grab whatever you like at the store and edit to taste. I plan to update this post regularly so let me know good combinations that you come up with.
What are the best foods you’ve found to stay happy on the job?
Well-written post! I’ve recently had blood sugar problems and have started to do high protein, veggie/fruit grazing method all day. A few things that do the job for me are sprouted grain bread (carbs and protein), hummus, nut butters, dried nuts, fruit and cheese. Keep me full for hours.
Thanks Jules!
What is sprouted grain bread and why do I need it??
The grain is allowed to sprout so it reduces the overall carbohydrates and increases the protein and fiber. I like it in the morning because it doesn’t make my blood sugar spike so high as other carbohydrates, and it keeps me really full as it is more than double the protein of normal bread. I have to watch too much sugar spiking in the morning with my new diet to maintain healthy blood sugar levels all day, so it is an ideal grain for me.
The only downside is you have to store it in the freezer and it can be rather dense and coarse compared to other breads. I don’t mind its texture if it is toasted for a thick sandwich with turkey/tuna, avocado and tomato or slathered with either Marmite or a nut butter.
Oh, and here is what Marmite is:
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/marmite.htm
It is a very acquired taste. 😉
Why store it in the freezer?
Is it expensive? Why isn’t every bread made with sprouted grain??