Saving Time Without Slowing Down

Habiba Saedon is a surgeon whose days are long, unpredictable, and demanding. This is how she fuels them.

How I fuel long days in surgery without sacrificing my energy

Some days, lunchtime barely registers.

I’m an eye surgeon based in Manchester, and my working days tend to blur into one long stretch of focus. Mornings often mean twelve operations back to back, followed by what’s meant to be a twenty-minute lunch break — if I’m lucky. In reality, that window is easily swallowed up by emergencies or patient reviews, and suddenly it’s mid-afternoon and I’ve barely stopped moving.

For a long time, food was something I squeezed in when I could. I needed something quick, yes — but also something that would actually carry me through the rest of the day.

When “grabbing lunch” isn’t so simple

Before I found something that worked, my lunches were inconsistent. Sometimes I’d make a sandwich in the morning, which meant planning ahead and finding time I didn’t really have. Other days I’d buy something from the canteen or order food in. That came with its own issues: cost, time spent collecting it, and that familiar heavy feeling afterwards.

Meals like baked potatoes or carb-heavy options left me sluggish. When you’re operating all day, that post-lunch dip hits hard. You’re on your feet, constantly moving, constantly concentrating. The last thing you want is to feel weighed down by what you’ve just eaten.

Finding something that fits into real life

I first noticed Huel in the supermarket, and it stood out for a very simple reason: it looked like it would fit into my day rather than interrupt it.

It was quick. It didn’t need prep. And it felt like something I could have even when time was tight. I could drink it during my short break — or even sip it while working — and know I’d actually had a proper meal.

It also aligned with how I eat. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, and non-dairy, which matters to me as I don’t include dairy in my diet and try to keep sugar low. Most importantly, it keeps me full without leaving me feeling heavy or tired afterwards.

That balance is everything.

Eating without stopping

What I appreciate most is how easily it slots into my routine. I don’t have to step away or reorganise my day around food. Sometimes I’ll have a few sips in between tasks — which might sound small, but when your schedule is that full, it makes a real difference.

And it doesn’t feel like a compromise. It tastes genuinely good, which means it doesn’t feel like something I’m forcing down just because I have to eat. That enjoyment matters, especially on long days.

I’ve been having Huel for lunch on working days for years now. Recently, I tried Huel Light after spotting it in the supermarket. Banana has always been my favourite flavour, so that was my first choice — and it didn’t disappoint. It’s nice to see new options that still work within the same rhythm of my day.

Energy that lasts beyond the workday

Because lunch is taken care of, everything else feels simpler. I don’t skip meals. I don’t spend time stressing about what I’ll eat or how it’ll make me feel afterwards.

I don’t usually have breakfast — just coffee — so lunch becomes an important anchor in my day. I’ll have Huel, then a cooked dinner in the evening. That structure works for me and helps me maintain my weight without feeling restricted.

I’m in my mid-forties, and I genuinely feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. I feel energised. I feel strong. I still have enough in the tank to go to the gym after work, even after long, intense days in theatre.

When you work in a high-pressure environment, it’s easy for your own health to slip down the list. For me, knowing that lunch is sorted removes one more decision, one more obstacle.

Looking after yourself isn’t optional

I believe strongly in looking after ourselves — especially in healthcare. If we don’t, we can’t show up properly for our patients. Sleep, nutrition, and exercise are things I don’t negotiate on anymore.

Having something reliable and time-efficient for lunch means I don’t have to compromise. I can stay focused during the day and still have the energy to look after myself afterwards.

The question everyone asks

Friends and family do ask about it. There’s often a bit of scepticism at first — questions about whether it’s actually healthy or whether it’s “just a supplement.”

I always tell them to look at the ingredients. It’s a complete meal, not a replacement for real food, and it can absolutely be part of a healthy lifestyle.

If you’re looking for something high in protein, low in sugar, filling, and genuinely convenient — and something that tastes good — it’s worth trying and seeing how it works for you. There are plenty of flavours and options depending on what you’re after.

For me, it’s not about shortcuts. It’s about making time where there isn’t any — without sacrificing how I feel.

And on days when time is tight, which is most days, that makes all the difference.