Being a truck driver has its benefits and drawbacks. A big drawback is all about the health of the trucker. Generally when you see truck drivers they are not in the best shape and health. There are a few different reasons for this. The first reason would be that they are sitting their entire day driving. When they are done driving they have to wait a Federal mandated 10 hours before they can drive again. With 8 hours of sleep that leaves them 2 hours to shower (which you have to wait in line at truck stops to shower and that can be a good 1-2 hour wait), eat dinner, and eat breakfast in the morning before you start driving. Where is the time for the exercise? When do these truckers have time to go for a jog (and where would they go jogging at) and when can they do some sit ups and push-ups? The longer they stay in the business, the worse their health will get.
The second reason that truckers are in bad health is because the food they consume and are surrounded by is garbage. Go to any major truck stop gas station and see the food choices. Everything is processed food, fatty, deep fried, etc. The couple of health food choices like salads and soups are usually going bad and not looking too desirable. What does a guy (or girl) have to do to get some carrots and hummus or some grilled chicken and veggies?
Being healthy has benefits to their job like having extra energy, move faster, motivation, stamina, etc. Eating healthy is the biggest concern for health problems. Experts say that it is 80% eating healthy and 20% physically activity to stay in shape. These major truck stops need to start adding more healthy choices to their menu. A few simple changes can alter the health of our fellow workers. We need our drivers alert and focused on their job and not about where they can stop to take their next dump.