Truck Stop Snacks That Can Help You Eat Healthier
Your health can have a far greater impact on your long-haul experience than you may realize. During a long-haul, it can also be easy to fall into the trap of eating at fast-food restaurants at truck stops, but this can result in you being tired on the road and putting yourself and others in danger. Despite there being so many fast-food options at truck stops, it can be easy to overlook all the healthy options that are also readily available to you. Here are some truck stop snacks that can help you eat healthier.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables will always be the best types of truck stop stacks that can help you eat healthier. Not only are fruits and vegetables readily available at most truck stops, but there is also a ton of variety. Pick up fruits like apples, bananas, watermelon, or grapes. As for vegetables, you can go with something that goes with a healthy dip like hummus, sweet potato fries, edamame, and so much more.
Nuts
Another snack that you can find at truck stops that also comes with variety is nuts. Nuts are the perfect thing to snack on when you are on the road as they are full of nutritional value. Some of the best nuts that you can choose include:
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Peanuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
When you are looking for nuts, just be aware that honey roasted kind will add a bit more calories to the snack. However, all nuts are still a tasty option when you are on a long haul.
Seeds
A truck stop snack that is similar to nuts are seeds, which can be messy but are still nutritious. Like nuts, seeds are easy to eat and are a much better alternative to chips when it comes to your health. Some seeds you should look out for at truck stops are:
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
Trail Mix
The next option that allows you to get the best of seeds, nuts, and other ingredients in a healthy way is trail mix. However, not all trail mixes were created equal, so you are going to need to pay attention to the ingredients. The healthiest types of trail mix mostly contain fruits and nuts. If you do want something sweet in your trail mix, make sure you go with one that has dark chocolate.
Yogurt
Yogurt is great because there’s a lot of options and additions you can make for a healthy snack. But, like trail mix, you need to be wary about its ingredients. What’s healthy about yogurt is that it’s a good source of vitamin B-12, which can help treat symptoms of depression. However, yogurt starts to become unhealthy when it contains a lot of added sugar and artificial flavors. To find a healthier alternative, find yogurt that is low-fat or simply plain, and add healthy ingredients, but be conservative with fruits to avoid too much sugar.
Granola
Granola is another ingredient you can add to your yogurt for a healthy option. Instead of having a sugary cereal for breakfast, choose granola, even go with a granola bar instead. Granola contains a lot of fiber, helps reduce cholesterol, improves gut health, and more. There are some downsides to granola that you should pay attention to as well, such as granola that is packed with added fats, sugars, or is high in calories.
Oatmeal
You can never go wrong with a bowl of oatmeal to get your day started. Oatmeal comes with many health benefits such as a ton of different nutrients, antioxidants, and properties which lower cholesterol and improve blood sugar. Not to mention, oatmeal is incredibly easy to make since all you must do for the most part is cook it in the microwave, which is perfect when you are on the go as a truck driver.
Protein Bars
Tired to fight off hunger when you are on the road? Then you should consider a protein bar, which can not only be incredibly tasty but can also impact your health in a positive way. Protein bars come in a variety of different flavors, and consuming it can be great for your bones, muscle growth, and battling starvation on the road. When you are looking for a protein bar, make sure you watch for the added sugar levels and for the number of calories the bar has.
Beef Jerky
Believe it or not, beef jerky is another healthy option for a snack, but you need to be careful with the kind you choose like many others on this list. The best thing you can do is stay away from ones that are full of MSG, hormones, and sugar, and instead go for something that is natural and made from grass-fed beef. Beef jerky is not only delicious, but it’s also considered a healthy snack because it has protein and omega-3s.
Popcorn
Popcorn is another snack that can be healthy, but you just must be careful when it comes to what you add to it. Popcorn is healthy because it has antioxidants, but adding a ton of butter, caramel, and candy will start to diminish its health benefits. Your best bet is to go with plain popcorn if you are trying to maintain a healthy diet.
String Cheese
String cheese might be another food you are surprised to see on this list, but it’s true. The key is to find string cheese that is low in calories but can still provide you a great pick-me-up that can give you the energy you need thanks to the carbohydrates it contains.
Pretzels
Instead of grabbing chips, you can go for something less salty with pretzels. However, pretzels are still loaded with sodium, so try to opt for a type that doesn’t have any salt. Pretzels also contain a little bit of fiber and vitamin B. If it’s between potato chips and pretzels, go for pretzels.
When you are on the road as a truck driver, you will also need to care for the health of your semi-truck as well. To do this, you need to equip your vehicle with the best truck parts available. At Unitruck, you can find those quality aftermarket parts with everything from wide-angle mirror lens to lighting.