Here’s something to think about: Can the time of day you eat affect your weight?
Speaking from personal experience, for years I didn’t really worry the time of day I ate, as long as I was getting proper nutritious meals. Of course, my level of intense exercise allowed me the pleasure of not being concerned of time of day.
That was the upside. The downside was this: I was not paying enough attention to the level of stress I was placing on my body and joints. Over time, this, plus the aging factor, took a toll on my body. I then had to adjust my workouts and level of intensity. I also had to pay more attention to my meals — what I consumed and at what time of day.
So, years ago I would probably have said the idea that the time of day you eat affects your weight is nonsense. But, we all learn over time. Information changes, and we learn more about the human body.
How many calories you take in, and how much activity you have time for, matters. For professional drivers we know it can be challenging to find access to good food choices and make time to exercise.
So, does the time of day you eat have an effect on your weight, and if so, Is there a solution?
This is a tricky question. Technically, the time of day you eat doesn’t affect how your body processes food. What matters is your total calorie intake and how much you exercise during the day.
In my experience working with professional drivers, I’ve found they tend to eat late at night. This is generally due to their workload and schedule, and sometimes economics play into the equation. In addition, they generally choose high-calorie, high-carb foods that their bodies can do without.
Drivers, if this sounds like you, make a conscious effort to avoid high-calorie, high-carb foods late night.
My best advice is to invest in your health. Buy an in-cab refrigerator and keep healthy food choices at hand. Also, buy either a set of exercise bands or a good pair of walking shoes — and use them.
Please remember, you don’t have to be perfect every time. More importantly be mindful, and do the best you can. If you mess up today, there’s tomorrow to correct bad choices.
And, if you miss a healthy dinner at 6 p.m. there’s no reason not to eat it at 9 p.m.; just be mindful of what and how much you eat.
Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry has played a critical role in the paradigm shift of regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers to understand the driver health challenge. Perry can be reached at [email protected].
Bob Perry has spent nearly the past four decades on a mission to educate professional drivers and share life-changing products and services to help them live healthier lives while on the road. Recognized throughout the transportation industry, from bus drivers to over-the-road professional drivers, Bob Perry has played an important role in creating a paradigm shift helping regulatory agencies, private and public sector entities, and consumers understand the current health challenges of the professional driver. He has participated as a wellness advocate in several roundtable discussions, large audience groups and small forums as well as going “curbside” through a national truck stop tour.
Bob’s articles have been featured in The Trucker and a number of other national transportation industry publications and is the host of a weekly wellness call produced by Rolling Strong. Bob has been a regular guest on RedEye Radio and Land-Line Radio, and is often an invited guest on Sirius radio shows. He has been featured in the New York Times, Men’s Health Magazine, Drug Store News, American Road Magazine, WSJ, NPR, ABC National Radio, as well as hundreds of daily newspapers. He has appeared on television news shows across the nation, including a featured TV segment on ABC NightLine News.
