Posts

ketogenic diet for truck driversThe health benefits of a ketogenic diet for truck drivers are not just solely physical. They’re also mental. What truck drivers eat affects a lot more than just their weight. It affects their mood, their overall well being, and even their relationships.

A lot of health problems could be solved simply by reducing sugar and grain in your daily diet and eating more ketogenic foods, which are low in carbs and high in healthy fats. The ketogenic diet works especially well on certain ailments. Here are three common health problems and how a ketogenic diet can alleviate them, as explained by truck driver and nutritionist, John Reed.

1. Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, the body fails to create enough insulin to lower blood sugar after a meal. That’s why, for type 2 diabetics, blood sugar levels continue to rise. A ketogenic diet can help you avoid the most dangerous impacts of type 2 diabetes. By consuming foods high in healthy fats (such as avocado and olive oil) and reducing your intake of carbohydrates, you can change the body’s energy source, so it uses stored fats for energy.

The result: Blood sugar and insulin decline. Having a ketogenic diet is a great way to manage, and even reverse, type 2 diabetes.

2. High Blood Pressure

ReedHaving high blood pressure is a significant risk factor for several diseases, such as heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. While high blood pressure has many causes, salty foods, clogged arteries and stress are common causes of it.

A ketogenic diet low in carbohydrates can be an important tool in reducing blood pressure. It also ups your intake of healthy fats and the “good” cholesterol your body needs.

The bottom line:ketogenic diet can cause a significant reduction in blood pressure.

3. Inflammation

ReedIf you are getting ready for bed in the evening and notice swelling around your ankles and calves, it’s actually a sign of inflammation. A certain amount of inflammation is good to a point, because it helps heal problematic areas of your body.

However, too much inflammation is not good. It causes pain, fatigue and stiff joints and makes it hard for people to move freely. Limiting carbohydrates and sugar allows the body to keep inflammation low, therefore reducing joint pain and muscle soreness, write Jimmy Moore and Eric C. Westman, M.D. in their book Keto Clarity. So if you want to reduce inflammation, try reducing the amount of carbohydrates in your daily diet and replacing them with healthy fats such as walnuts, almonds and salmon.

The three health conditions above could result from too much sugar and grain in your diet.

Begin by taking small, concrete steps to reduce your intake of sugar and grains, and when you achieve minimum sugar and carbohydrates below 40 grams a day you will see real results.

Like this story? Like us on Facebook here to get more Drive My Way content in your news feed.

ultimate-guide-truck-drivers-maintain-3-healthy-habits-over-the-road

The Ultimate Guide for Truck Drivers to Maintain 3 Healthy Habits Over the Road

Download the complete guide for tips to easily maintain healthy habits over the road.

Download the Guide Now

TruckerGood Fats, Good Life

If you’ve ever tried to diet, you know how overwhelming it can be. I felt challenged by all the choices, too. That’s why I chose to become educated in nutrition. The more I learned, the more I saw the benefits of a ketogenic lifestyle—one low in carbohydrates and high in healthy fats.

Today I specialize in a ketogenic lifestyle, because, simply put, it allowed me to lose more than 80 pounds. So yeah, I’m a believer. Even with Type 2 diabetes, a ketogenic lifestyle enables me to keep my blood sugar at normal levels without medication. A ketogenic menu allows you to eat properly without calorie counting, without measuring and without starving yourself (seriously).

You naturally change the way your body processes food, and that makes the ketogenic lifestyle a winner. It’s a lot healthier to rely on stored fats for energy than it is to rely on sugars and carbohydrates for energy. Today, I’m here to help you ease into a ketogenic lifestyle. It’s a big word with big benefits. Let’s get started.

1. Make a list of foods that are purely ketogenic, eliminating all sugars and grains.

There areThe Trucker a lot you can choose from, depending on your own personal tastes. Any of the following foods will do, and it’s just a sampling: Eggs, raw nuts, bacon, olive oil, coconut oil, heavy whipping cream, real butter, meat, fish and steamed vegetables (except root vegetables). The fattier the better.

2. Be very strict for the first 3 weeks to eliminate sugar from your system.

This will get you “fat adapted.” After a few weeks, you can start adding some carbohydrates back into your daily menu.

3. Keep your diet consisting of 75 percent fats, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates.

understanding that if you are more athletic you will need to have a bit more protein. Use a free app like My Fitness Pal to track your progress for the first few weeks until you know what you should eat.

4. Eat only when hungry.

Don’t fall into the trap of eating when you think you should. Stop and evaluate your hunger. Eat small portions, then wait 10 minutes for your stomach to signal your mind that you are full. Then, if you’re still hungry, eat another small portion.

5. Do not eat within 3 hours of bedtime.

You do not want your body to be digesting food when you need to relax for bed.

6. Turn off all electronic devices a half hour before bedtime.

Allow your body to start melatonin production for a restful night’s sleep. Try meditation or just sit and relax. Now you are on the road to better health.

After a few weeks, start adding foods that are low in carbohydrates back into your daily meal plan. Avoid sweeteners, and the energy you have will amaze you. You can have fruit twice a week, but avoid tropical fruits. I recommend a side dish of sweet potatoes, boiled and mashed with real butter to slow the glycemic stress on the body. Enjoy the journey!

ultimate-guide-truck-drivers-maintain-3-healthy-habits-over-the-road

The Ultimate Guide for Truck Drivers to Maintain 3 Healthy Habits Over the Road

Download the complete guide for tips to easily maintain healthy habits over the road.

Download the Guide Now