CR England Girl

If you haven’t yet heard about Eat This, Not That!, it’s time you did!  Created by the editor-in-chief of the popular Men’s Health magazine, Eat This, Not! started as a series of best-selling books and has evolved into a popular weight loss strategy that doesn’t require dieting.  Instead, it is intended to educate people and help make them better, more informed decisions about what they eat, ultimately leading to weight loss.  One of my favorite parts about it (which can be found on their website) is the Restaurants section; a lengthy list of popular restaurants are given an overall grade according to how healthy (or unhealthy) their menu is.  In addition, you can see the unhealthiest and most healthiest items on the menu, helping you make a healthier choice next time you stop on the road.  Visit the official Eat This, Not That! website to find out how your favorite fast-food joints rank (you may be surprised!).

Even truck drivers can be susceptible to the post-lunch slump that seems to hit around late afternoon – your eyes begin to feel heavy, you feel less alert, and your energy is zapped.  Sound familiar?  Here’s how to stay energized, alert, and feeling good all day long.

• Eat right!  Believe it or not, certain foods can actually make you feel more tired (similar to how eating turkey on Thanksgiving makes you want to nap afterward).  When you can, eat food that is high in protein and whole-grains to feel more alert.  Avoid foods that are high in sugar, which can make you feel extremely energized right before you crash, leaving you feeling fatigued and exhausted.
• Chew gum – did you know it can actually help you feel more alert and aware of your surroundings?
• A plain, old cup of coffee is the trucker’s standby to help keep them awake.  Coffee is full of caffeine which is classified as a stimulant since it mildly stimulates the nervous and cardiovascular systems helping you feel more awake.
• You can also drink water.  When you’re body is even slightly dehydrated (which can happen really anytime), you begin to feel tired and sleepy so be sure to drink plenty or water while on the road, even when you don’t feel thirsty.
• Try talking a walk.  Park at a truck stop or rest stop and do a few laps around the parking lot.  This will increase your blood and oxygen flow, making you instantly feel more awake.
• Try to stick to a regular sleeping schedule.  This is definitely easier said than done, especially when truckers are trying to make up for lost time or traveling at night to avoid heavy traffic.  But getting enough sleep (typically eight hours a night) will actually help you have more energy during your shifts.  Make sure to take advantage of your 10-hour breaks by sleeping!
• If you are really struggling to stay awake, pull over and rest.   It is always better to take an hour or so to rest than getting in an accident because you were falling asleep at the wheel.  Safety should always be your top priority.

Learn how to stretch your dollar further and keep food fresh and tasty while on the road!

• The trick to having good food to snack on during a haul is picking food that travels well and won’t go bad within a few days.  Anything that’s individually wrapped or that can be resealed is ideal – crackers, dried fruit, beef jerky, pretzels, trail mix, fruit snacks, and nuts are all great travel snacks.
• Make sure you always have water to drink in your cab (it’s healthier than soda!).  Refill plastic water bottles or buy your own reusable water bottle and fill it up every time you make a stop.  It’s also a good idea to always have spare water also in case of an emergency and you get stuck somewhere.
• If you don’t have a small fridge installed in your cab, use small ice chests or coolers to keep perishable food cool – just make sure you eat it before it goes bad!  When you make stops, restock the coolers and fill them up with new ice.
• Keep everything organized by storing all non-perishable food in a clear plastic bin.  This will keep the cab clean and make it easier to reach for a snack when you’re hungry.
• Keep another box or bag full of utensils, wet wipes, napkins, a can opener,  salt and pepper, and other items you may need while eating on the road. 
• When you can, stock up on food at mass supermarkets such as Wal-Mart – you’ll be able to get a lot more for your money than at a small gas station or truck stop.

When you’re sitting on a hot load and you’re only feasible, quick food options along the route are fast-food joints and greasy diners, a nutritious salad is a healthy and fitting alternative…right?  Think again.  These days, many salad entrees are loaded with just as much fat, sodium, and calories as a juicy burger and fries – if not more!  Headed out soon?  Avoid these calorie-laden offenders when on the road…

Einstein Bros. Bros Bistro House Salad (with chicken)

• 940 calories
• 71g fat (12 g saturated)
• 810mg sodium (the recommended daily intake is just 1,500 and 2,400 milligrams – about 1 teaspoon)
  

Chili’s Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken & Caesar Dressing

• 930 calories
• 71g fat (13g saturated)
• 1,840 mg sodium

Chili’s Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad

• 1,070 calories
• 78g fat (15g saturated)
• 4,440mg sodium (remember that daily intake??)

Quizno’s Chicken with Honey Mustard Flatbread Salad

• 1,110 calories
• 74g fat (14.5g saturated)
• 2,030 mg sodium

Chevy’s Fresh Mex Tostada Salad (with Chicken)

• 1,551 calories
• 94g fat (37g saturated)
• 2,840mg sodium