Five Healthy Eating Tips for Truckers


Post Date - Jun 10, 2022

One of the most commonly asked questions we hear from truck drivers is how to balance staying healthy on the road. As many of you know, truck drivers sometimes get a negative reputation for not being very fit or healthy because of the long hours you spend behind the wheel and the unhealthy food options available to you at truck stops. However, finding a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle as a trucker is doable with the right planning and commitment. Not sure where to start? Here are five easy healthy eating tips for truckers you can start implementing today.

1. Always have a plan

When you have a plan for your eating, you’re less likely to make unhealthy choices on a whim because you’re hungry. We recommend sitting down and making a meal plan for yourself once a week. Figure out what meals you want to make, plan out your snacks and create a grocery list so you can shop at home. If your truck fridge is full of fresh, healthy food, you’ll be less tempted to grab something quick from a convenience store.

2. Meal prep at home

To make things easier for yourself, prep as much of your food as you can at home. Some drivers will go ahead and measure out and chop their ingredients so they’re all ready to cook in the truck. Others will completely cook their meals during their home time so that they only have to reheat at mealtime. Choosing either of these options will reduce how much time you’ll have to spend preparing your meal after a long day of driving and allow you to focus more on relaxing and enjoying some delicious food.

3. Keep things simple

To make it easier on yourself, keep your meal plan simple. Choose proteins that are easy to cook and sides and vegetables that aren’t time consuming to make. Save recipes that have a lot of steps, significant prep time or a lot of ingredients for when you’re spending time with your family at home.

4. Fresh is best

If you’re unsure of what meals to make in your meal plan, prioritize fresh foods. Many nutrition experts will tell you to shop the perimeter of the grocery store. This is where the produce, meat and dairy are located, and these are the foods that will fuel your body with the nutrients and vitamins it needs to function well. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables also work well if fresh produce isn’t available to you.

5. Make healthier choices when eating out

Sometimes eating out is unavoidable. When you do, make sure you’re making healthier choices. Get a salad but choose a lighter dressing or use only a little of it. Opt for grilled chicken instead of fried. A lot of restaurants now carry plant-based burgers and will also allow you to swap the bun for lettuce wraps instead. Even one of these simple changes can save you a lot of calories.

Ready to hit the road? Bring home the income and get the work/life balance you’ve been looking for at Boyd! Reach out to us today to learn more about becoming a Boyd driver.

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