Healthy Eating For Truck Drivers

Hey there, I am a young farm girl and have always ate very healthy and have been very physically active throughout my whole life (about 115 pounds 5'5" lol). I have road along for many months as a co-pilot in the past with an OTR driver, so I know the life of OTR fairly well. A friend of mine and I have recently purchased a western star and a van trailer together to do team driving. My friend has been OTR for going on 4 years but never owned their own truck either.

I am looking for good storage tips for food and cooking appliances, such as: toaster (toaster oven), skillet, etc.

I thought of using totes but I'm not sure how well those will fit.

We plan on being at a Walmart or large food store at least once a week for fresh foods and plastic ware.

What are some good meals and snack ideas for the road? I realize its not only good for health but also good on the pocket book! So any tips and ideas are welcome!

I will plan on jogging and have small weights in the truck to keep my body stimulated and my friend is all game for the idea to!

Also, any good decorating tips, including lighting, would be appreciated as well:)

Please and thank you!!!!!

It would be really cool if there were a truckers' cookbook. Any Martha Stewards or Rachel Rays out there?

I have 2015 Freightliner I have the plastic 3 tere drawers (walmart ) I put my clothes in n store can goods n non refrigerated food they work out good for me I'm not sure how much storage space u have on ur truck Do u have a inverter on the truck My company installed a 1500 watt one Im sure others will respond with more Good Luck n b Safe

I keep a refrigerator for storing refrigerated items. Since I'm a solo operation I find the crock pot works well for me. I can easily throw together the ingredients for a delicious soup or a Jambalaya, and even smothered pork chops. It cooks while I'm driving, and when the day is done my meal is ready. It also smells really good in my truck on the days that I'm cooking!

I recommend buying a regular 120 volt appliance and using an inverter for your power source. I went through three of the 12 volt crock pots and finally realized they were made more for re warming rather than lengthy cook times.

I keep a refrigerator for storing refrigerated items. Since I'm a solo operation I find the crock pot works well for me. I can easily throw together the ingredients for a delicious soup or a Jambalaya, and even smothered pork chops. It cooks while I'm driving, and when the day is done my meal is ready. It also smells really good in my truck on the days that I'm cooking!

I recommend buying a regular 120 volt appliance and using an inverter for your power source. I went through three of the 12 volt crock pots and finally realized they were made more for re warming rather than lengthy cook times.

Plus with winter coming, soups are great to stay warm and get the nutrients your body needs

Hey Gal,

One idea that will:

a) Start out your day right b) Fill you up in the AM with 37 grams of protein, and a host of fiber, enzymes and micronutrients c) Save you time in the AM by simply needing water and a blender bottle d) Cost less the an extra value meal at McDonalds is...

http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Organic-Meal-Chocolate/dp/B00CLD71X8/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1411254579&sr=1-1&keywords=raw+meal+chocolate

Stuff rocks and tastes great. Very dense shake and it keeps me full for 4 hours. Also a great emergency meal if you don't have any options at the end of the day

A subject I know all too well. I like to think of myself as one of the healthiest truckers, I haven't gained any weight since I started trucking. You'll find it so much easier to eat unhealthy than in normal life. McDonalds is always around the corner, whereas cooking food in the truck takes a whole lot more time.

Here's all my tips!

Get a RoadPro Frying Pan!!! This is my most used appliance. No gas/propane needed, its electric. It cooks eggs very well, boils soups and anything in a can. I have owned two and both have lasted for about a year. Great value, and a 10/10 for reliability and performance.

As mentioned, a Slow Cooker can be useful. It has plenty of space so you can definitely fit multiple cans of soup in it. But if you do that you must watch it as you drive because it become top-heavy and can easily tip over and spill when you're driving. As far as reliability is concerned, I give it a 4/10 stars. As Old School said, it doesn't last long if you use it for long periods. I went through mine quickly. I don't own one of these because I find the electronic frying pan does what this does too, just without all that space.

Love tea?

Then purchase a Hot Pot! This heats up water in about 10 minutes, 15 minutes and it'll be boiling! An amazing product when you want hot water or tea. I've owned two, my first never actually broke. It just got old and I wanted to replace it. Mine is still running strong. A perfect product, if that exists, a 10/10 for reliability and performance. Just a few tips, the more voltage it draws the faster the water boils. If you read reviews online of this product you'll quickly notice that people say its awful. Well, that's because they're using it in a car. What do they expect! Also, don't heat up soup or anything else besides water in it. It can be tough to clean out if you do. Just stick with water only inside. And please, please, quit drinking soda!!! This is not the job where you can drink soda and not expect serious consequences!

I'm not done yet!

I highly recommend a Steamer! Who doesn't enjoy some steamed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc? Just a tip, get one that isn't tall. When you add water on the bottom and the product on the top, it can easily tip over and spill. Have had that happen plenty of times. So buy one that is low to the ground and doesn't stand a foot tall. I bought a plan Oster Steamer, a cheap one, because I'm a cheapo.

And the best for last!

Get a blender! You can't call yourself healthy without one because this is the ultimate healthy machine!

I have and use an Oster Blender. Again, because I refuse to pay 70$ for a blender. I'm a cheapo. I actually have this exact one. It works extremely well. This will give you a whole lot of fun on the road as you experiment with smoothies, meanwhile, every other trucker will look at you like you've lost your mind. Truckers know all about burgers, but nothing about fruits & veggies.

This is my favorite smoothie. It grosses the average person out but its delicious. When Ken was in the truck with me I offered him some and he was very hesitant but he tried it and he loved it. So I'm not crazy here. It has spinach, but you can't even taste it!

Also, a lot of these appliances won't run off the power outlet from the truck. So if you want to maximize your cooking, you absolutely must have an inverter. Some companies have these already installed, and some don't. This should be a question for your recruiter. Also, cooking broccoli or cooking soup can take quite a while so an APU is a bonus but isn't required.

Do be careful on soups. Soup is great for you, I'm Russian I know more about soup than any one of you (haha). But canned soup does contain a very high amount of Sodium. Its hard to find a good quality canned soup these days.

Before I forget because I'm getting old, having a mint plant in the truck is one of the healthiest choices you can make. Mint definitely makes the air more fresh. When I go to the front I can smell them! They are very easy to maintain. I pick off leaves each morning and put the leaves in my tea. Nothing relaxes the stomach more than a warm tea with mint in the morning. And get a good quality tea, not that Lipton crap. That's fake tea. They're only 3$ in stores and don't leave a mess nor do they take up much room! Its a natural aromatic for sinus and allergy relief, and when put in hot beverages, it soothes the stomach. Whats not to like about mint!

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

You can easily grow your own sprouts in a truck also.

I keep a refrigerator for storing refrigerated items. Since I'm a solo operation I find the crock pot works well for me. I can easily throw together the ingredients for a delicious soup or a Jambalaya, and even smothered pork chops. It cooks while I'm driving, and when the day is done my meal is ready. It also smells really good in my truck on the days that I'm cooking!

I recommend buying a regular 120 volt appliance and using an inverter for your power source. I went through three of the 12 volt crock pots and finally realized they were made more for re warming rather than lengthy cook times.

Good info. What's the price on an inverter and do you need an APU on the truck to run it, or is it okay to just cook while running the truck?

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Here's one of my favorite recipe's, split pea stew. It will take like 3-4 hour in a croc pot, but it normally takes 30 minutes on the stove.

1 cup split peas Saute in olive oil: chopped onion, garlic, and lemon peal with paprika, pepper. Add 3 cups water Add chopped vegetables such as: Carrot, broccoli, celery, red pepper. Light boil for 25 minutes, then add chopped parsley or sage. Boil for 5 minutes more. Let sit for 15 minutes, serve with whole wheat bread or english muffin, with olive oil and a small amount of raw garlic.

I bet you can throw everything into the croc pot and it should take 3-4 hours. Never done it.