We have all heard the saying that “cash is king,” so why would we replace the word “cash” with “nutrition”? It’s simple: our diet directly affects our health and our health directly affects our wallet. The ability to do what we love, support our families and drive our rigs, is impacted by our health. According to the National Institute of Health, truck drivers are twice as likely to be obese, the prevalence of diabetes is 50% higher, and 87% of truck drivers have hypertension or pre-hypertension.
As a trucker’s wife and all-things-truck enthusiast, it concerns me every time one of our fellow 10-4 friends has their DOT physical. Will they pass it? Will they be flagged for poor blood sugar levels or high blood pressure? I’ve had more super trucker friends than I can count lose their commercial license due to diabetes. The thought of them no longer being able to do what they love hurts. It hurts to not be able to enjoy the open road freely, but to no longer be able to provide for your family with trucking. In a time when the economy is questionable at best and tension and stress are high, we should not have to worry about our health jeopardizing the career we love.
Why did you choose to be a truck driver? My husband knew what he wanted to do when he was playing in the sandbox as a kid. His uncles and grandfather worked in trucking and he grew up moving and maintaining heavy machinery with the smell of diesel and grit. He then pursued his dream of not only getting his CDL, but also owning his own trucking company. Nearly two decades later, he still loves the purr of the engines, the smell of black smoke, and the sound of a Jake brake. As he gets older, his mentors are slowing down and some of them are unable to drive due to their health. The joys of bench racing with them over the phone and discussing mechanics, loads, and how the industry is changing are consistent. However, their ability to roll out together and talk via CB has faded away.
According to the CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the average lifespan of commercial vehicle drivers is 61 years. Comparing that to the current life expectancy in North America of age 80 is a harsh reality. Let’s beat those statistics and take control of our health, one meal at a time!
It’s not always easy to eat healthy on the road. Heck, it’s not always easy to make healthy choices at home, either! Truck stops often have a limited selection of “healthy” items such as salads and fruit. Let’s face it – you need more options! Something warm and satisfying in the cooler months, and some fresh, light choices in the spring and summer. You need meals that not only taste good but fuel your body with needed energy. Instead of making you lethargic, causing you to reach for a sugary snack or caffeine to get you going again, healthy food can revitalize you and help you to focus on the road. You deserve to choose the meals that suit your needs best.
My friend Gary at Fit Chef Texas approached me after meeting a couple of our trucking friends at a gathering. When he asked me how he can serve truckers, I jumped, no leapt, at the chance to partner with him! I was excited to help fill the gaps that often leave truckers with limited, unhealthy, and not-so-fresh meals. I got busy posting polls on local trucking pages and reaching out to my long haul and local friends alike to discover their biggest nutritional challenges. It became my goal to not only represent the truckers I love so much, but to ensure they had the ability to take control of their health and lengthen not only their careers but their lives.
As a trucker’s wife, I work hard to make sure that my husband is well prepared to deal with all that trucking throws his way. He generally has a high protein smoothie to start his day and then leaves with easy-to-eat snacks, along with easy to heat-and-eat lean protein and veggie meals and lots of water to keep him hydrated.
Fit Chef Texas not only listened to our input, but they also allowed us to make meal recommendations to best suit the needs of truckers. They have created various meal types such as comfort foods with healthy serving sizes, keto meals that cut out grains and add in healthy fats and proteins, and paleo meals that ensure that everything you are putting in your body is super clean (no dairy, no gluten, no added sweeteners). There are also low-sodium meals available!
Fit Chef Texas is determined to invest in your health because they understand how important you are to our society. They worked diligently to find the best solution for keeping meals fresh longer. Utilizing a cutting-edge approach, they vacuum seal their meals as soon as they are prepared, allowing them to last for weeks in the refrigerator and months in the freezer without freezer burn or oxidation. They also eliminated the bulky meal prep containers, allowing you to fit more meals in your cooler or mini fridge. Simply heat and eat!
Take control of your health and longevity today! To view all of their available meals visit the Fit Chef website (http://www.fitcheftexas.us), to order trucker meals go to the “Meals For U” website (http://onelink.to/kfbd9f), or download the “Meals For U” app today (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eAndroid.BusinessApp.UI.MealsForU) and get started ordering your meals. Free Next Day Air Saver shipping is included in the price! No more stale and lifeless truck stop meals! See how much better you’ll feel and drive when you fuel your body with nutritious and tasty foods from Fit Chef.
