| The next truck stop beckons as the miles roll past. | | | | Eating 4 or 5 healthy small snacks throughout the |
| Something to eat seems like a fairly safe form of | | | | day can be better than 3 fast food meals that |
| entertainment. No one wants any other real | | | | mostly consist of empty calories and lots of fat and |
| excitement driving a 16 wheeler. A smooth | | | | salt. This can also help stabilize blood sugar. In fact |
| uneventful drive is the best for everyone. | | | | many people who are on meds for diabetes need |
| A walk around a parking lot is very nice after hours | | | | less medication if they can lose weight and eat |
| of driving and you can get something to eat. | | | | better. There was an article in Reader's Digest that |
| But fast food, the kind you find on the road, may | | | | said a good raw food diet sometimes cures diabetes. |
| not be either healthy or nutritious. Your big risk may | | | | Your doctor is your best guide when it comes to |
| be what you find to eat in all those pit stops. | | | | medications. But doctors don't know much about |
| The average big burger and fries certainly has all the | | | | nutrition and, consequently they have the same |
| bad stuff and nothing that's good for a human body. | | | | health issues as the rest of us. |
| Except for a little protein there are VERY few | | | | You can also take vitamin and mineral supplements. |
| nutrients in the classic fast food burger and fries. But | | | | Most people need them, especially if they eat out a |
| there are lots of some bad things like white flour, | | | | lot. |
| saturated fat, salt and even some sugar. Most soft | | | | Most Americans, not just truck drivers, work all the |
| drinks are also very sweet. | | | | time and eat out most of the time, too. And most of |
| A healthy eating plan has fresh foods, lots of fruits | | | | us have gained enough weight to prove we all eat |
| and vegetables, some dietary fiber to keep your | | | | out...all the time! But eating out is rarely an ideal option |
| innards clean, not too much fat and salt, a little high | | | | if you want to eat a healthy diet and not gain weight. |
| quality protein, and very little sugar. But you really | | | | Many of us are overweight and suffering with health |
| need a kitchen to make that kind of food. | | | | issues that are directly related to being overweight. |
| But a cooler with fresh raw fruits and vegetables, | | | | People who are overweight have problems like high |
| low fat meats like roasted chicken and cheeses, | | | | blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes in much |
| yogurt, whole grain breads, cookies, and even | | | | greater numbers than people who maintain a normal |
| muffins and crackers and bottled water can be as | | | | weight. They also die younger. A 37 year old friend |
| close as your passenger seat. Many of these things | | | | of mine is currently in the hospital with a stroke and |
| are available in recipes that are low in fat, high in fiber | | | | very high blood pressure. Heart rehab is full of people |
| and have very little sugar. Additionally you can make | | | | who are too young for heart disease, but who have |
| better choices at fresh food markets and farmers | | | | it anyway. It's too sad. |
| markets. And it does not have to be carrot and | | | | Anyone can choose not to gain weight. It's not that |
| celery sticks. Eating a variety of fresh foods makes it | | | | difficult to eat better quality food. It's also possible to |
| more fun and more interesting. But remember, fruits | | | | choose the parking space that's a long way from a |
| and vegetables eaten raw have more nutrients intact | | | | building and to take the stairs instead of the elevator. |
| than anything cooked. (Pay attention to safe food | | | | Exercise is one of the healthiest ways to fight both |
| handling. Check out the Food Channel or Emeril for | | | | weight gain and depression. |
| advice.) | | | | Making healthy choices is not just about denying |
| All kinds of fruits and vegetables can be eaten raw | | | | yourself something you want. You could discover you |
| and they taste great, too. Try everything from baby | | | | really like what you're eating. Best of all it may mean |
| corn to tomatoes, lettuce and spinach, pears, plums, | | | | a really better quality of life. Being healthy can save |
| apples and berries, asparagus, broccoli and lots of | | | | on truck driver health insurance also. |
| others. It's also a great way to start the kids on a | | | | Living well matters and making healthy choices means |
| better diet. They actually like raw broccoli WAY | | | | you get more out of life and have more fun, too. |
| better than cooked. | | | | |