Prevent Cancer with a Proper Diet

Cancer is a rising concern among millions of people.  As we grow older our bodies tend to wear out, and the risk of cancer is increased.  People worry and fret over it, and with good reason; cancer is the number one cause of death in the US.  The good news is that you are able to reduce your risk of developing cancer with a few simple lifestyle changes.  Being a long-haul truck driver, you may roll your eyes a little saying it’s not that simple when you’re in your truck 8-10 hours per day, but keep reading for more information.

Eat Healthy

Eating healthy is something that is preached to us from all corners of the internet.  We hear the extremists talk about how every chemical is bad for you and you must only eat an organic, sustainably grown, fair-trade, non-gmo, vegan diet.  And then there is the other side of the extreme where you can eat whatever you please and as long as you get enough exercise it all balances out.  Somewhere in the middle is the truth, and frankly science has a long way to go before the “perfect” diet is determined.  That does not mean you can’t eat healthy and help ward off cancer.  In fact, a healthy diet has been proven to diminish your risk of developing certain types of cancer.  Here’s how that looks for the truck driver that may not have access to those fancy food stores while on the road.



Whole Grains – We hear this often: eat more whole grains!  But what does that even mean?  Basically speaking you want to avoid white bread.  More strictly speaking, whole grain foods are products that are made using the entire kernel and no parts are processed out.  They include things like corn, quinoa, rice (white rice isn’t bad for you, brown is better though), and wheat.  If you’re looking to get whole grains on the road eat oatmeal for breakfast, a wheat bread sandwich for lunch, and have corn and wild rice with your dinner (easy on the butter).

Fruits and Vegetables – Most often people mistake vegetables with fresh vegetables.  While fresh is good, they do tend to spoil faster.  Studies have shown that frozen fruits and vegetables have the same nutritional makeup as fresh fruits and vegetables (provided there is no added sugar or salt).  Skip the canned stuff unless you want to eat far more salt and sugar that you really should, and opt for basic fruits and veggies.  An easy way to get your fruits and veggies on the road is to have raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries on your oatmeal in the morning, snack on some dehydrated apple chips while you drive, have a banana with your lunch, and a side of steamed veggies with your dinner.

Lean Meats – Even though your burger is made with 95% lean ground beef, it is not a true lean meat.  Now there is nothing wrong with splurging on a burger every now and then, it becomes a problem when the bulk of your meat intake is red.  Instead, opt for pan seared tilapia, smoked salmon, grilled chicken, or baked cod.  Avoid those that are fried and broiled, and season them with herbs rather than butter.  Notice I didn’t say anything about hormones, free range, or the like.  If you want to go a step further and stick with wild caught, that is great, but the studies are inconclusive about the negative health effects of farm raised.

Eating Healthy is Cheap

When you’re out on the road, it’s very tempting to just stop into the nearest truck stop and order the buffet.  It’s quick, it’s filling, and it’s expensive.  Eating healthy will keep your expenses down, trim your waistline, help to prevent cancer, and make you physically feel better.  That’s a win-win-win-win if you ask me.  The easiest way to eat healthy: skip the processed stuff.  Now keep in mind that a recent study has shown that random mutations are the biggest cause of cancer among healthy people.  Don’t increase your chances of a random mutation by eating junk.

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