Eating On The Road

We've had several threads with discussion about health and eating so maybe it's time for a separate thread. Some of the following I lifted from my post in one of Daniel's threads.

One of the best things you can do is leave sodas out of your diet. Even diet soda has it's negative impact. I drink some coffee, some tea, and a lot if water. Water is my go-to drink (except for the occasional good scotch and craft beer! But this is only for home time!) and I probably average 6-8 glasses a day at the desk and home. When I'm active this amount goes up. Remember, water is your friend! As I've aged I frequently get leg and foot cramps. These are a real PITA at night! Having enough water each day really cuts down the frequency of these craps. I've cut down my coffee to about two large cups before 1-2PM. I'm OLD so getting up at night to pee is problematic enough at home. Using a urinal or bottle at night or walking across a parking lot two or three times during the winter should be an incentive to limit caffein!

I won't address cooking appliances here....maybe a different thread to focus on this will spawn off later!

However, a DC cooler is, in my mind, a necessity! As Daniel and others point out, fresh veggies, some cheese, milk (don't forget shelf stable UHT milk!), lunch meat, fresh chicken or some pork or beef, can be stocked for later. Granted, you won't be buying family packs at SAMs or Costco. However, I have a vacuum packer at home and can see some frozen meat to start a run after home time!

Here's some suggestions I posted earlier, just to get the conversation going:

As far as eating healthy: I love to cook and have been a Luby's cafeteria manager. Home cooking and leftovers really stretch the dollar. Also, things like roasted or fried chicken from a supermarket can easily be two or three meals.

Don't forget the bread and peanut butter and some lunch eat. Some meats are per cooked and shelf stable, hence no refrigeration needed till you open it. Tuna now comes in shelf stable packs and have no oil or water to drain.

Also, the number of healthy protein bars are growing. The ones you want are NOT the 250 calorie Cliff bars as the carbs are a bit high and the protein is relatively low. Look for 190 calories and 9-15 grams of PROTEIN. The protein keeps you hunger in check. Low calorie, low fat protein drinks are shelf stable, have about 17g protein and are great for a quick feeding. I use them for my breakfast almost every day.

I've lost about 40 pounds over the last two years and kept it if...and that's with a sedentary desk job. I imagine once I start driving I'll lose a bit and then gain a few pounds back in muscle as I will be more active.

I'm diabetic and use metformin/januvia for control and the meds and diet discipline have kept my A1c close to 6 for well over a year.

As we age diet discipline will really keep the energy level up. And, a smaller waistline helps prevent back problems, too.

YMMV!

David, appreciate the time you took to write this

I'd like to add that berries and nuts are good snack, as is a quality bag of trailmix without the m&m bites.

If your wanting to keep wieght down, stay off soda or anything really with High Fructose Corn Syrup. As well as fake surgars (sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, aspartame)

David, appreciate the time you took to write this

I'd like to add that berries and nuts are good snack, as is a quality bag of trailmix without the m&m bites.

If your wanting to keep wieght down, stay off soda or anything really with High Fructose Corn Syrup. As well as fake surgars (sucralose, neotame, acesulfame potassium, aspartame)

I'm diabetic and have to limit my fruit and nut intake. I love fresh and fried fruit but it spikes my blood sugar. Certainly nuts and fruit are great additions for folks that don't have my issues. I would recommend unsalted nuts, especially.

Here's a easy little vegetarian meal that is cheap and great also. Total cost about 20.00 and will feed you for about 7 large lunches. Vege Tacos. Package of small soft tortillas (whole wheat) Container of Hummus ( I prefer the red pepper) Package of Broccoli of Cole Slaw pre-cut no dressing ( in the vegetable aisle) Can of Black Beans Block of Feta Cheese Bottle of Balsamic Vinegar Bottle of chopped kalamata olives If available heat beans and 3 soft tacos in microwave then spread about a tbsp of hummus on each shell, add a tbsp of black bean, feta cheese, chopped olives and top with broccoli slaw and a touch of balsamic vinegar. This will make 3 small tacos and come less than 475 calories. It is very balanced as far as meals go. Best thing is they will fill you up without feeling blah! Oh they taste great too. Less than $1.00 a taco my friends

Great thread. When I first started driving OTR I was in much better shape than now. Having a set break period (you'll understand shortly) gave me plenty of time to work then if nothing else take a 30 minute walk in the evening. Then I went to work with a very small outfit where or driving habits were, as they say, a bit lax on rule following where logs are concerned. Didn't quite have a full break much so my exercise routine suffered. Anyways, long story short I put on about 20 lbs and at my age that stuff is hard to get off. Hoping I can get back to a better routine now with the new job. Home weekends and some weeknights will help. As many have stated stay away from what I call the "Foods of Convenience." McDonalds, Taco Bell, Flying J Pizza, etc and sodas. I myself don't do as good a job at following my own advice from time to time but I try to stick to Subway as much as possible now. I also keep the popped rice mini cakes onboard for snacks, as well as canned tuna and apples.

Right now, since I'm just starting out, I have been relying on the fast-food stops more than I'd like. However, it is still possible to lose weight while eating burgers. I quit soda about 6 months ago, and I generally avoid fries. I get a couple dollar menu burgers (or chicken sandwiches) which fill me up, give me some protein, and don't kill my wallet.

Now, once my dad joins me and we kit out our truck my eating will be more in line with what I want to do. We both cook, and cook well. We may even try making a video or two.

Even eating so-so food I've managed to lose between 30 and 40 pounds. So it can be done while on the road.

I do a lot of my own cooking on an electric frying pan purchased at wal mart. Have cooked burgers steaks hot dogs nachos bacon etc. Keep a small refer and plug in cooler on board. To clean use water out of two one gallon jugs with soap and a pad. Buy drinking water at wal mart in one gallon jugs. Much cheaper. Saved me tons of money. Only eat out when time does not permit me to cook.