Proper nutrition fuels health and focus, which are essential for truck drivers. However, spending long hours on the road can make it more challenging to find healthy and delicious meal options.
For National Nutrition Month, CPC’s Lockton Nurse Advocate Mandy Francis, RN shares advice to help drivers make healthy choices behind the wheel.
Build Healthy Habits
Make it a habit to choose nutritious food and drinks. Habits often take around 21 days to form, but consistency is key. Use a daily habit tracker to stay consistent and accountable.
Smart daily habits to develop include:
- Checking food labels to compare products and find healthier options when shopping.
- Practicing portion control by being mindful of serving sizes.
- Avoiding or limiting excess sugar and choosing foods with high nutritional value.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Plan Ahead
Planning meals in advance can reduce the stress of making last-minute decisions.
“You wouldn’t start your day without knowing where you’re going, so don’t start your day without knowing what you’ll be eating,” Mandy said.
Tips for planning ahead include:
- Keeping microwave friendly and canned foods stocked for quick, nutritious meals. Some healthy options are frozen vegetables and fruits and canned proteins like tuna, sardines, salmon, chicken, beans and lentils.
- It’s OK to repeat meals. Pick two to three of your favorite healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners to have in your weekly rotation.
- Pack your own meals and snacks to ensure you have healthy options on hand.
“It’s especially important to always have healthy options available on the road,” Mandy said. “Without planning ahead, it’s easy to turn to vending machines and convenience stores. Planning is key and well worth the effort.”
The graphics below include a few of Mandy’s healthy meal and snack suggestions:
Mandy emphasized that when it comes to health, there is never a one-size-fits-all solution.
“As CPC’s nurse advocate, I can help drivers develop a plan tailored to their individual health needs,” Mandy said. “Questions are always welcome, so please feel free to contact me.”
Drivers can reach Mandy by email at cpcnurseadvocate@lockton.com or by phone at 888-417-1219. Appointments are generally available Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST, but alternate arrangements can be discussed. Set an appointment on the LNA scheduling portal here.