It may seem impossible to eat healthy when you are driving across the country, but luckily it isn’t. There are truck drivers all over who are able to maintain a healthy diet while hauling loads on the open road. Many have found simple ways to incorporate wholesome foods into their diet, taking better care of their physical, oral and mental health.
Ed Harrison, with Peak Strategic Group has written an informative article on how to start the process of making good health decisions while driving.
Eat a Large Breakfast
Breakfast gives you energy at the start of your day, and eating well during this meal can prevent you from feeling hungry later. Reduced hunger often equals less snacking, helping you to control your caloric intake and the amount of processed foods you’re consuming. This does not mean that you should go and wolf down endless piles of pancakes, sausage and bacon. The idea is to eat your largest meal at the beginning of the day and make the meals smaller as the day goes on. A great example of a big, healthy breakfast would be a large egg white omelet, fresh fruit and whole wheat toast. Since that is a pretty substantial meal, you can follow up with smaller ones for the duration of the day.
Put Down the Soft Drinks
Most truckers love soft drinks. This is mostly because you can find them everywhere, and they are relatively inexpensive. In fact, there are some convenience stores that sell huge cups for a couple of dollars or less. The problem with these drinks is that they are full of sugar and lack any nutritional value. Even if you eat healthy food, following it up with soft drinks will defeat the purpose. Instead, choose water. To cure your need for bubbles and help your sweet tooth, make it seltzer water, and flavor it with a slice of lemon, orange or your favorite fruit.
Buy a Crockpot
Instead of relying on fast food places to provide all of your meals, invest in a crockpot. This is a simple way to make nutritious meals without too much hassle. Stop at a grocery store on your route, and pick up some lean meat, fresh, pre-cut vegetables and even a little pasta. Throw it all in with a dash of seasoning, and you’ve got meals for a few days. The nice thing is that you can toss things in there, close the lid, turn it on and have a hot meal in a matter of hours.
While you are supposed to be eating healthier, this does not mean that you cannot use ample amounts of seasoning and herbs in your food. The good thing is that you will control everything that goes into the pot, so things like oil, butter, salt and other not-so-good food items will not have to make an appearance unless you want them to.
Get Your Vitamins
Fast food is usually lacking in the vitamins you need to stay healthy. This is especially true in terms of your gut health. Your gut is actually a major part of keeping our immune system working effectively, so if your gut is unhealthy, you might be too. Many people turn to supplements like multi gi 5 and many more to ensure their gut health is at the level it should be while eating the foods that they like. Sure it might have a bit of salad, but you’re going to need to top yourself up on supplements if that’s all you’re eating. Get yourself some zinc and vitamin c tablets and take the recommended amount each day, and also consider omega 3 chewies and CBD gummies UK for an extra boost. Taking the right amount each day, along with your new more balanced diet, will help to stop you from feeling fatigued behind the wheel, whilst it can also help to improve your mood, sex drive, skin health and vision.
Purchase Healthy Snacks
There is no excuse for binging on junk food when there are so many healthy snack options available, even in convenience stores. Even something as common as grease-laden potato chips can be replaced with a healthy counterpart, like baked crisps. The idea is to buy things that are so fulfilling you will forget that you are eating healthy. Examples of hearty, healthy snacks include unsalted pretzels, popcorn, mixed nuts, whole-grain crackers, yogurt and fruit.
Being on the road does not mean you have an automatic pass that excuses poor eating habits. It is very possible to do your job without falling into a bottomless fast-food pit. Look for wellness drinks that are easy to incorporate into your long-haul life, such as “morning complete“, and you’ll be well on your way to looking and feeling healthier as you travel.
About The Author
Ed Harrison is a national sales director with Pike’s Peak Strategic Group, providing quality and affordable healthcare and dental care to individuals, families and businesses.
Thank you I am a rider and it is just as hard as he is skinny and I’m getting fat!