What Do You Eat On The Road?

Being in the Army, I'm a decently fit guy, and I'd like to stay that way. I'm already researching different types of exercise programs that I can use in the field: bringing a set of dumbbells, go for a run/jog during my 30 minute break if time permits, utilizing the gyms at some terminals, etc.

However, one thing that worries me is eating right. I've read plenty of horror stories about the price—both monetary and caloric—of truck stop food, and how easy it is to fall into the Fast Food Rhythm. So, my question is what do y'all eat while under way? What do you stock up on, where do you get healthy food on the road, how difficult is it yo eat healthy?

Thanks for the info!

Being in the Army, I'm a decently fit guy, and I'd like to stay that way. I'm already researching different types of exercise programs that I can use in the field: bringing a set of dumbbells, go for a run/jog during my 30 minute break if time permits, utilizing the gyms at some terminals, etc.

However, one thing that worries me is eating right. I've read plenty of horror stories about the price—both monetary and caloric—of truck stop food, and how easy it is to fall into the Fast Food Rhythm. So, my question is what do y'all eat while under way? What do you stock up on, where do you get healthy food on the road, how difficult is it yo eat healthy?

Thanks for the info!

Yeah it gets pricy, I tend to eat one meal a day with whatever I can find. Not the best way, but I been too lazy to eat out the truck that I definitely pay for it. Surprisingly enough I lost weight out here mainly cause I don't snack and make the conscious effort to walk more. It is possible to eat good, one of my academy classmates is vegan and he eats good.

Give me half an hour to put laundry in and I will get back to you.

Walmart is a great place to stock up and it's best to find areas that are cheaper. For instance MO and MS are about half price on most things compared to walmart in NJ. Be sure to either google them or call to ask about truck parking. Use Google Earth for an view to see if the lot is set up for easy turns. Some have a lot of planters and trees in the lot which is harder.

You mentioned going to prime..they have a fitness program where they give you exercise and nutrition recommendations as well as track your progress. Although I would probably benefit from it more than you.

I have a cooler which is much cheaper than a fridge and right next to my seat for easy grabbing I stock up on fruit cups in real juice not syrup... cereal... keeping milk in cooler. Lots of water.

Sams club is at our terminal now trying to sell memberships.. I never thought of them cause I drive mostly nights. But if they have truck parking great

Tweak, Go back and review prior posts with keywords eating, cooking in your truck, etc. Get a lunch box stove. 12 volts, cooks, re heats, etc. Will get a can of soup, chili, canned veggies, canned anything, piping hot in less than 30 minutes. Hot dogs, quesadillas, pre made burritos, etc. Walmart has great pre made salads for $4.00. Also get a 12 volt Thermoelectric cooler. Better than using ice. No soggy stuff. I use an ice chest for sodas and water only. I buy ice every other day. You can eat healthy and cheap. Be creative.

It is surprisingly easy to eat well and healthy on the truck. It's also very easy to cook your own meals.

As far as eating healthy, there are two simple rules: 1. Make healthy choices. Meaning pick a salad over a burger, grilled chicken over fried, juice or water over soda. Eating healthy from fast food joints or truck stops is possible but there aren't many choices and they can get pricey. 2. Eat in moderation. If you are a snacker, buy ziploc bags to pre-portion your snacks from the larger packages. It's easy to get in the zone driving and eat half a bag of potato chips or cookies. Pre-portioning takes only a few minutes and will keep you from overeating.

Cooking on the truck is simple. If you go with a company that uses APUs you will most likely have a decent sized inverter that can power a fridge and cooking appliances. If not, some companies will allow you to install inverters. Even if they don't allow inverters, a very basic 12v to 100 watt inverter you buy at the truck stop will power a small crock pot. Look up recipes that you would like to try online or in cookbooks. I use Pintrest a lot for ideas and there is a Facebook group, Cooking on the Truck that gives tons of ideas of things that can be cooked in a truck.

Buy groceries at Walmart. There are many walmarts that are truck friendly out there. Just remember to respect their policies and always call ahead to get permission to park from a manager. It's also a good idea to ask where they would like you to park. And for goodness sake, don't be lazy! Take your cart up to a corral. (This drives me nuts and I usually end up taking two or three carts back with mine.)

I've personally cooked tons of stuff on the truck. Here's just a few for example, all cooked in a crockpot. (I have an APU and 2500w inverter plus a fridge)

Chicken and stuffing

Shredded chicken tacos

Baked tortellini

Smothered porkchops

BBQ ribs and beans

15 bean soup

I also have a handy chicken salad and tuna/egg salad recipe that I make frequently when it's hot.

With just a couple investments (cooler or fridge, inverter if you need one and crock pot) you can skip the fast food and truck stop food altogether!

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions. I have a background in the culinary arts and nutrition so it's something I love to talk about!

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APUs:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Chickie wrote:

And for goodness sake, don't be lazy! Take your cart up to a corral. (This drives me nuts and I usually end up taking two or three carts back with mine.)

Thank you Chickie,...you all know why this act of consideration receives my appreciation.

I'm cooking some Jack Daniels bbq pulled pork on my truck in a lunchbox stove as we speak. I also have a crockpot for cooking. Like others have commented, I also keep an iceless cooler on the truck and stock up at Wal-Mart

I have two words.... Road Kill

Cheap and readily available.. You also have several cook books to choose from

And the really cool thing is that it is all free range with no antibiotics or hormones.

It's not that hard to eat healthy. You just need to make the concious decision to grab a salad instead of that 2 for $2 hot dog special.