Sleep Debt and Obesity

Sleep debt is a matter for safety concern but I want to show its relation to obesity. These statements are not from a doctor or health professional , but from me and what I decipher from research I have done on the internet.
This is what I found from the CDC (center for disease control) and the "Truck Driver Occupational Safety and Health 2003 Conference Report and Selective Literature Overview".
Sleep debt is associated with or can contribute to ;
Impaired glucose metabolism.
Abnormal cortisol regulation (stress hormone).
Impaired immune function.
Altered autonomic function (elevated sympathovagal balance).
OBESITY.
diabetes.
Hypertension.
Long haul drivers who do not have 24 hour work/rest cycles can suffer from disrupted circadian rythyms.
Over 40 hour work weeks can cause helicobacterpylori infection connected to peptic ulcers. This type of work week can also raise the risk for ischemic heart disease(IHD). The longer the work hours the greater risk.
Truck drivers take note; it's ok to stop and get a good sleep in. In fact it could save your life in the long run and keep your loved ones from facing hardship and tragedy.
Thats all for now . Happy trails and keep the shiny side up!
http://www.simpletruckerdiet.com/

The benefits of fiber

It's Monday morning . I got up to go to work and the starter in my 02' Peterbuilt went out. It's early in the morning , so I thought I'd post a new article.
Today Im going to talk about fiber. It is the one ingredient any driver should be able to keep fresh and accessible in his or her truck.
The immediate benefit of fiber is hat it helps to make you feel full and satisfied for a longer period.
The great health benefits are numerous.
here are a few:
. It helps keep digestive tract clean and helps prevent colon cancer.
. It helps lower cholesterol.
. It helps prevent constipation.
. It helps prevent heart disease.
. It helps prevent overeating.
. Grains give the most fiber content.
. It is a key ingredient to eating a healthy diet.
A higher fiber diet will require a higher intake of water to keep it moving through the digestive tract. Fiber cannot be cooked out of fruits and vegetables and it isn't just in the peels.
To much fiber can cause diarrhea and bloating. Too much can also interfere with mineral absorption. From what I have read 50 grams a day is recomended.
It isn't hard to get enough fiber in your diet. I eat fruit , like apples, mango, and bananas while I'm in the truck because they are easy to maintain and replenish. I also keep plenty of nuts and granola and grain type bars. Kashi bars are my favorite because they have a decent variety and are delicious. However any whole grain type bar will work.
Thats all for now. Please visit this link for more healthful information.
http://www.simpletruckerdiet.com/

Healthy foods for on the road

Here is some useful info about foods that are very healthy that I recomend you keep in your truck at all times . These statements are not from a health professional and if you have doubts please contact a nutritionist or doctor. These statements are formed from my personal opinion and several sources about healthy dieting.
Apricots-They help prevent radical damage and help protect your eyes. I recommend the dried variety because they are easier to store on the road. Contents: 1 grams fiber; 0 fat; 17 calories.
Peanuts-They contain 166 calories per ounce;fiber 2 grams; fat 14 grams. I also recommend almonds for magnesium content for a healthy heart.
Mango-It is believed the antioxidant in this fruit helps prevent arthritis and boosts your immune system. Also rich in vitamin C content. I prefer dried if you can find them, or dehydrate your own.
Fish-Cold water fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon contain your omega 3 fatty acids. I eat a lot of tuna and sardines because of the ease of storing them in the truck. I buy the meal packs with a cookie and peaches. they come in different varieties. Omega 3s reduce the risk of cardio disease. I also take omega 3 fish oil. 1200 grams daily. Her is a link to my favorite diet source. http://www.simpletruckerdiet.com/

Nutrition on the road

This blog is about fitness and nutrition on the road. I've been a trucker for twenty one years and the one thing I have had the most problem with is my health. When I was a spring chicken I ate food with lots of sugar and caffeine, but didn't realize that this was detrimental to my health and it caused an assortment of problems.

I need to tell you gaining weight was not one of the problems. I thought because I was lean and energetic that I was the man of steel. My reality was checked when I passed out one day while I was on the road. I was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with hypo-glycemia. The doctor explained what caused this.

The cause was the sugar and caffeine. They made my body quit breaking proteins down into sugar that it could use and that caused the hypo-glycemia. I was put on a high protein diet and suddenly I rapidly started to gain weight. I was young , and working out was the solution. The combination work outs, high protein diet, and low sugar intake got the hypo-glycemia and weight gain under control.
http://www.simpletruckerdiet.com/