Eating healthy is important. It helps you to stay in shape, and eating a healthy meal makes you feel good. Now does that means you can't splurge every now and then? Of course not! Everyone needs a big, juicy burger every so often. 
 
As a truck driver, you spend a majority of the year on the road, which makes it very easy to fall into the fast food trap. It’s convenient, and the dollar menu makes it very cheap. Just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean it’s offering a lot of value to your body. 
 
There are plenty of ways that you can eat healthy without spending a lot of money. Below you will find 5 different foods that will not only offer you plenty of nutrients, but won’t break your monthly budget.
 
Beans
 
Most dried beans are extremely inexpensive on a per serving basis, yet they offer amazing benefits. Beans are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants.


Carrots
 
Another excellet snack, are carrots. They are loaded with fiber and vitamin A and are great served with hummus. You can purchase bags of baby carrots, but it’s even cheaper per serving to buy a bag of large carrots, and then peel and cut them yourself.
 
 
Peanut Butter
 
Peanut butter sandwiches are not just for kids. Peanuts, and other nuts, give you a large amount of your B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium. It has also been shown, that nuts also can help lower your risk for diabetes and protect you from heart disease.  You can pick up a jar of natural peanut butter for $3.00 to $4.00 depending on where you buy it.
 
Oats
 
Instead of loading up on sugar-filled cereal for breakfast, give a bowl of oatmeal a try. Oats are loaded with fiber -  add a little fresh fruit or a small amount of honey to give it a little added flavor.
 
 
Kale
 
Kale has long been known as a superfood. A single serving provides you with 10 times your daily value of vitamin K.  That means your bones will stay nice and healthy.  It is also full of Zeaxanthin and Lutein, which is beneficial to your vision.  Sauteed kale is easy to fix and tastes great.

 
When we are on the road it’s so easy to get sucked into the convenience of fast food, just because it’s cheap. Next time you're thinking about stopping for a burger and fries, remember that there are some great alternatives that will not only keep you healthy, but will also be easy on the wallet.

Comments (7)

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I don't leave home without a 2 lb. resealable bag of baby carrots.

October 19, 2014 13:18:01 PM

Good stuff here, but has anyone tried a food dehydrator? One of the biggest problems I have continuously encountered over the years is food storage. If my wife makes me fresh meals on the road then they can only last 3-4 days max in my electric cooler before I start to get the heebie-jeebies. I also hate pulling into a Walmart to purchase more food and feel like a street bum begging for the managers permission to park in their lot and spend my money there. So, today we received our Nesco food dehydrator and are going to try our hand at that. I have been looking at a ton of survivalist and hardcore camping websites and a bunch of these people are dehydrating their food and say that once they re-hydrate it that it tastes the same as when it was freshly made...and weighs a heck of a lot less and easier to store. Guess we'll find out how it works.

October 16, 2014 19:52:29 PM

Carrots are great. I find that a handful of trail mix(without the M&M;s) is another good small snack.

October 16, 2014 13:50:15 PM

I love easy snacks like carrots and peppers. And John, I think those are all great points too! Lots of veggies are also good for diabetics whenever possible, as they help give you important vitamins while also having very little sugar and no fat. Lean meats are good, but don't forget those veggies!

October 10, 2014 9:50:39 AM

I am diabetic as many truck drivers are either diabetic, or are over weight. Potato's while having some benefits are not so great for diabetics. Especially if you pile on other stuff not so healthy on top. Oats are another high glycemic food that raises blood sugars. The beans are a great ideal and Chili is a positive food for me in the Winter. Even some cheese is not bad for diabetics. Its one of those truck stop foods truly good for pre diabetics and diabetics. I also eat breakfast anytime which is a plus at truck stop diners. Get it anytime and focus on eggs for protein, lean meats like Ham and less carb foods such as breads, cereals and potato's. We do need carbs but not too much.

October 09, 2014 17:39:07 PM

We have found that buying baby carrots make it a lot easier for us in the truck. I also like sliced bell pepper and cucumbers.

October 09, 2014 15:25:29 PM

Carrot sticks are really easy. I buy a pound. Then I peel them and cut them up into easy to eat sticks. I separate them into 6 baggies. That is a week's worth for me.

October 09, 2014 7:06:30 AM