UPDATED: How your diet can impact safe driving

All truck drivers should focus on fueling their bodies with healthy nutrients and foods. As the trucker lifestyle can make this difficult to do at times, it’s essential in helping you stay healthy, as well as stay alert and awake while on the road. It may seem like it’s difficult to get on a healthy eating routine as a trucker, but we promise you it’s not as hard as it sounds! At TransWood, we encourage our drivers to eat healthy, not only to keep up with health, but to stay focused on the road as well. 

Healthy eating is a crucial aspect of life, no matter your occupation. You’re probably thinking to yourself right now: How can what I eat affect how I drive? Although it may not seem like a big deal, nutrition plays a bigger role in safe driving than you think. In fact, statistics show that 8 out of 10 accidents are related to what an individual had to eat. 

The trucker lifestyle includes a lot of eating on the go, including fast food and snacks. However, healthy nutrients help regulate your mood and energy, and in return give you the focus you need while driving. It’s smart to avoid foods that can make you feel tired or sluggish!

How food impacts driver fatigue and concentration

Certain foods like fizzy drinks or fatty beef and lamb can significantly affect your concentration and mental clarity. These foods do not boost your energy and lower your alertness levels contributing to driver fatigue. 

When preparing for a day of driving, do not pack any sugary or fatty foods to snack on the way. Instead, 

studies show that some foods like blueberries and other fruits help stimulate blood and oxygen flow to the brain, keeping you alert for many hours. Thus, look for these foods to improve your mental focus. 

Drinking water is also vital when driving because it provides the brain with energy to improve memory and thought processes. Also, you should try to avoid drinking energy drinks and other sugary sodas. These drinks may give you a temporary boost of energy, but will eventually deplete your energy levels. 

Are snacks good while driving?

The trucking lifestyle includes spending long hours on the road. During any haul, it’s inevitable that you will at some point begin to feel hungry. When this occurs, it’s a good idea to fuel your body with healthy snacks that don’t make you feel sluggish. 

Foods like nuts, fresh fruits, trail mix and jerky are perfect options that are not only healthy, but will help you feel more energized and ready to go on the road! So before hitting the road, make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks on hand to cure your hunger and keep you locked in on the road! 

Ways to eat healthy

One of the best ways to ensure you are eating healthy while on the road is by meal prepping. Meal prepping includes making four to five meals beforehand, and is an easy way to keep a consistent, healthy diet. Some meal prepping ideas to consider are pastas, certain meats and rice, vegetables and fruits! 

At TransWood, the safety of our employees is our top priority. Use these to turn the trucker lifestyle into a healthy eating lifestyle!