I'm a night auditor at a hotel (11pm-7am), but I run into a problem when I have, sometimes up to 3 hours of doing nothing, atleast 2 on most nights, and the rest just doing mostly paper work at a desk.

Generally, what I do is bring a bottled water, bannana or apple, and a pack of crackers for work. However, I finish both by 3 am. Then I'll get a pack of M&Ms from the vending machine and a doughnut between 3 30 and 7. I EASILY consume 500-750 calories while at work on mostly junk food.

I need something I can snack on throughout my shift that isn't full of calories, and costly.

Raw veggies maybe? Or find something else to pass time. Exercise would kill 2 birds. Stick some resistance bands or dumbbells in your bag. Read a book. Buy a DS.

raw veggies is something maybe i'll try, maybe carrots and a low/free calorie dip will work.

I can't exercise while working, but I do read the newspaper and look at the local news station's website online to pass some time. but there is only so much to read thats of interest.

I do that midnight shift, too. Mine is a rotation shift, so I work 6 midnights then I change and don't have midnights for another 18 days. One snack that I like is sunflower seeds. The kind in the shell. Lots of salt, but you spend a lot of time picking out the seeds with your teeth. Lots of mouth movement for not a lot of calories. Bring a real lunch so that you have enough nutrition and fiber to get you through the shift.

Another trick is to not bring any money into work with you, then you can't use the vending machine.

I can so understand why you buy the doughnut. I think it is more because the sugar acts as a pick-me-up if you know what I mean. Sugar gives you a rush. By the time you buy a doughnut your body must be tired and achy. The sugar will carry you through the rest of your shift. Tell me if I am wrong.

Fruit is no alternative because it has mostly fructose which gets used by the liver and does not cause a peek in blood sugar.

So, maybe you have access to some coffee at night, or bring some candy yourself. If you can't live without the sugar, just having a piece of hard candy might be a good compromise.

Also, if you are hungry bring more food to work. Make yourself simple sandwiches (tuna or egg), get pre made salads or go by a salad bar before you start work (if they are still open then). Other things that are handy to take to work:
- yogurts
- cereal in a plastic container
- rice crackers
- left overs
- tortilla wraps
- thermos of soup
- pop corn

When I am hungry and need a little sweet fix, I fix a peanut butter sandwich (reduced fat PB) with a little jelly (sometimes I use honey), on whole wheat (lite) bread (or toast.) It has staying power and a taste of something sweet.

I am in an office all day in front of a computer - obviously - and the absolute hardest thing for me has been to stop the mindless munching at my desk. Bring a little lunchbox of goodies - raw veggies as previously suggested, the aforementioned yummy PB&J sandwich, some fruit, a low fat granola bar. Then, you have enough to sustain you should you need it and you have enough selection with you that you are less apt to visit the vending machine for a little variety. I have been bringing my lunchbox with (healthy) snacks for the day and keeping them in sight reminds me that I am supposed to be eating healthy. Honestly, it has kept me away from the junk drawer.