For years truck drivers have been complaining about the unhealthy food choices at truck stops. So what makes truck stops so unhealthy? Most truck stops are made up of fast-food restaurants and junk food. Because of this, many truck drivers tend to suffer from various health issues such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease, and many more hurtful and painful health problems. Truck drivers are very important in the United States and are very needed across the world. In order to help you stay healthy while you’re on the road, we've listed some ways to help you have a healthier lifestyle while being a truck driver.
Having a Balanced Diet
Having a balanced scheduled diet is very important especially because being a truck driver means being on the road for long periods of time. Making healthier choices can be hard but definitely worth it in the end. Also making sure you have scheduled meal times planned before your day can help you get in your calories and you don’t miss a meal. While most fast food places are full of fattening products, there are still some choices that can benefit your health. When finding a place to stop at for a bite to eat, look for stops that have a good variety of healthy options. Packing lunches and extra food can be very beneficial, try to have healthy snacks packed ahead of time just in case you aren’t close to a stop when it’s time for you to eat. Snacks like these can be easily put together if you know what to get. We’ve put together a list of things to look for when going into a truck stop restaurant for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even a list of snacks to watch for before making your trip.
Breakfast Items
- Ham
- Eggs
- Real cheese
- Sourdough Bread
- Fruit
- Whole Wheat Bagels
- English Muffins
Lunch/Dinner Items
- Roast Beef Sandwich
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole Wheat Bread
- Fresh Meat
- Salads (side)
- Quinoa
- Rice
Snacks (packed beforehand)
- Any type of fruit
- Nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and walnuts
- Vegetables
- Saltine Crackers
- Peanut Butter Sandwich
- Bagel with Almond Butter
- Chia Seeds and Pumpkin Sees
- Wheat bread with Peanut butter and banana slices
Stock Up
When driving long distances it is wise to stock up on your meals, if you get to a truck stop that has a good variety of healthy options, especially if you will be on the road for a long time stock up and buy extra food just in case you don't have time to stop for your next meal. Try stopping by at shops that are known for healthy foods and make sure to get enough food for all of your meals. It's better to have extra food than not enough. Having enough food will help so that you don't end up buying unhealthy food options. Stay away from chips, soft drinks, sodas, and food with a high volume of sugars.
Sitting in for a Meal
While sitting in your truck while you eat your food might feel relaxing, it is very beneficial to have fresh air and short walks as well before meals. Try finding times you can eat outside at a bench or under a tree.
At CTC Trucking we care about our drivers and we want all truck drivers to live the healthiest lives possible. By reading this article you are all set to make healthier choices. If you are interested in becoming a truck driver for a small trucking company CTC Trucking is the place to go. If you have any questions please contact us.
