Being out on the road for long periods, shouldn’t mean that your diet has to be all about junk food and sugary snacks. Working irregular hours and being up late at night can also leave you feeling tired, hungry and tempted to indulge in fatty convenience foods. But there are some healthier alternatives.
Many Perks to a Cup of Coffee
For a long time coffee has received a pretty bad press. But it’s more than just black water and much healthier than people give it credit for, even if you like your coffee to be strong. It’s not just useful for keeping awake on the road, there are some other benefits to drinking a cup that you might not have expected. Did you know that coffee could even help you live longer? In two studies, researchers found that drinking coffee actually lowered the risk of death in men by 20% and women by 26%.
It’s also been found that drinking coffee improves various aspects of brain function, including mood, memory, energy, attentiveness, and reaction times. And for your body, it can improve physical performance as caffeine stimulates the nervous system and increases adrenaline levels in the blood. In fact, studies have found it can improve performance by an average 11-12%.
Why It’s Good to Grab a Coffee While on the Road
Coffee can help you to feel less tired. It contains caffeine which is a stimulant and can help you to feel more alert. It also contains essential nutrients and antioxidants including Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Potassium, Manganese, Magnesium along with Niacin.
It’s been found to potentially lower the risk of people developing Type II Diabetes. It is also good for your liver and can even lower the risk of some cancers. In a number of studies, drinking coffee has been shown to help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, and also lowers the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
And if that’s not enough, coffee can even make you feel happier. A Harvard study in 2011 discovered that women who drank on average four or more cups of coffee each day, had around a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed.
Healthy Snacks to Eat on the Road
If you will be on the road for a while, before long you will probably start hankering after a proper hot meal. There are the usual fast food drive-ins and gas station options, but they don’t necessarily offer the healthiest grub. If you can, try to go for grilled items with plenty of greens. And go easy on the sauce.
On long journeys, it’s best to eat little and often if possible. And if you can, try to plan regular times to eat. It will add some kind of structure to your day, helps you resist temptation and avoids experiencing peaks and troughs in energy. Whatever you are eating, try to pull over in a gas station car park or lay-by to eat properly. It’s safer and gives you a good excuse for a driving break. It can also help you to avoid indigestion.
Here are some suggestions for healthy snacks to eat on the go:
· Mixed nuts and seeds
· Dried and fresh fruit
· Fresh vegetable or fruit drinks (check the sugar content first)
· Bottled water
· Vegetable sticks and healthy dips
· Sushi
· Natural yogurt drinks
· Sugar-free chewing gum
Reach your Destination Feeling Refueled, Refreshed and Ready
Whatever you are planning to do once you reach your destination, if you’ve eaten regular healthy snacks, had a few cups of coffee and had some rest stops along the way, then when you arrive you should feel ready for anything.
~ Jess Walker, Guest Blogger
