Eating Cheap On The Road?

So until I get the ball rolling and possibly stop at home next week to do some Walmart shopping. I am kinda limited to Pilots’s, Loves and other truck stops. As many of you know, these places can put a dent into your wallet really quick without realizing it. With many of you being on the road for awhile and knowing the in’a and outs of these places, what would be some filling cheap items one can live off on the road? Thanks in advance, you guys are very supportive.

Subway cold cut. Loaded up with veggies (‘cause the veggies are free). Use whatever points you can.

In my opinion, it’s way better (financially & healthwise) than the burger meals.

If you pull into a truck stop near a Walmart, tuna lunch kits, peanut butter & bread (I like “sandwich thins”).

I hope this helps.

Wally World is your home away from home. Like any grocery store you can get prepared meals, look in the refrigerated/ deli section. There's my Staff of Life: sandwiches. Keep your refillable cups (cold and hot beverages) handy. Wally's also has decent & cheaper than Subway sandwiches. The hot deli isn't all that bad. Again, cheaper than fast food places.

If you have a cooler or refrigerator handy, problem almost solved. Buy a case of bottled water. Get either little flavor packets or squirt bottles for variety.

My favorite: use the bunk heater. Position a can of soup or such canned meal right at the vent. I used a small cardboard box to make a sort of oven. Turn the heater thermostat up way high (just for 10-15 minutes, ok even in an Arizona summer), et voilà! Hot meal on the cheap.

Also you don't need to be at home to go to Wally world. You need google maps... And you need to really look at the parking lot before you go into it. Also dropping a trailer at the Pilot/Loves 2 blocks away isn't a bad idea either. And occasionally you can find a truck stop right next to the Wally world or even a grocery store.

And Errols recommendations about water and flavor packets will keep you away from sugar.. I used to guzzle Pepsi like they were going to discontinue it. I highly recommend getting away from sugary drinks asap. Gatorade Zero is also pretty cheap at wally world.

If you have a decent inverter, grab a microwave and don't spring for the 1200 watt model just the cheap dorm/ 700watt. Or an air fryer. I think my air fryer sees more action than the microwave.

Otherwise I grab the premade salads and as much as I shouldn't.. The flying Js have pot roast and mashed potatoes.. I haven't had it in months but it's pretty good in a pinch.

Canned sardines packed in olive oil, pork rinds, hard boiled eggs, and avocados are all super foods: high in fat and zero carbs.

I mix cashews, macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, and almonds in a big can and snack on these. Anything with peanuts (not a nut actually) and grains (bread) is low nutrition, high sugar which equals high numbers of carbs. I recommend a high fat, low carb diet.

Meat, Fish, Eggs, Nuts and Seeds, and some fresh vegetables are what you need. Coffee, water, and tea are all we need to drink. If it has a label with more than three ingredients, avoid it.

I have never liked using a microwave except for defrosting items at home. In the truck I bought a Hot Logic Mini it can be either 120V or 12V version. I like the Stouffer's frozen dinners. Put them in the HLM in the morning and 4 to 6 hours later it is ready to eat. It heats up great right in the box.

Some company terminals have shuttles to local supermarkets. If you happen to go to a company terminal , ask.

Some company terminals have shuttles to local supermarkets. If you happen to go to a company terminal , ask.

Great point! The CFI terminal here in Joplin has a Walmart shuttle van running most of the day.

Stay away from prossesed foods. Hit Walmart grab a Forman grill there cheap. Get a insta pot not so cheap but worth the investment. I do keto diet one meal a day and it's great. Burger patties cheap cheese cheap bacon cheap I use lettuce in place of bread. Ta has a good salad buffet cheap. I just hit breakfast buffet had eggs bacon and sausage with black coffee for 5.99 to get my fat intake up.

I have a multi cooker with about 7 different functions, including rice cooker, sautéing, slow cooking, etc. I like to use it to cook up batches or rice and stews, sloppy joe, taco meat, etc. to last me for a few days. Also, while I am home, my wife will cook up meals for me to keep in the frig. and to microwave for quick meals. Canned meals such as ravioli canned be warmed quickly.