I knew a guy in a South American country back in the 80's who was raising some flowers (can't remember which ones) in his garden and eating them. He was as skinny as a stick but full of energy. Now seriously, I have a National Trucker's Service Directory guide which shows lots of Walmarts along major highways. I use Google to find Walmarts not listed in the guide and call to ask for directions. Make a plan to shop for groceries once a week. The best time to go to Walmart is between 10 pm and 9 am. Not many vehicles there and sometimes you can even park overnight.
Atkins, I strongly believe in. Atkins mostly meat, I've never heard of. Too much meat and/or protein creates it's own set of problems. Anyone who overeats meat is not doing Atkins properly. But Atkins will get the blame when problems arise, because so many people mistakenly believe that Atkins is, "that diet where all you eat is meat." I have been properly doing Atkins since January 27, 2011, and have lost 75 pounds. I eat tons of vegetables. More than I ever have before. I eat the same amount of meat, or less, than before Atkins. Sugar, starches, refined grains like flour, and most processed foods have been completely eliminated. Whole grains have been severely reduced for now, but will be added in soon.
"The program IS NOT ABOUT MEAT, its about balance. If you are not getting a good balance of healthy proteins, nutrient-rich vegtables and othe good carbohydrates, you are not doing Atkins properly." - Robert C. Atkins , M . D
I don't have (nor want to have) a microwave, but do have a small fridge. Starkist now makes a "tuna salad" packet ... just enough to squeeze onto a slice of bread to make a sandwich 90 cal/2.5 gram fat. I get them at wal mart. Dried fruit. Raw carrots keep fairly well. If you have a freezer, Birdseye makes singles steamfresh packets in green peas and sweet corn and they're great... wish I had a freezer. I always order a footlong cold-cuts sandwiches at subway with no mayo but will keep the cheese, eat half today, other half next day. string cheese singles (in moderation). I keep at least 6 protein drinks (Meal replacement) in the truck and I'll generally drink one 2 or 3 times a week, find one you like that is readily available at wherever you shop. Also, some "energy bars" have less fat than others, shop around. You'll get plenty of fat in your diet simply eating "healthy", don't add more fat than is necessary. (However, I CAN NOT drink skim or fat-free milk, 2% is as thin as I can drink) Peanut butter in moderation, try it on apples or bananas. Pre-boiled/packaged eggs ... I have mixed emotions about the taste of ones I've tried, but will sometimes buy a few to keep in the fridge, anyway. I have to add lot's of pepper or Tabasco to the one's I've tried. I buy "energy drink" singles mixes (Power Edge wth caffeine, guarana, ginseng, etc) that mix with 16 ounces of water and will try and have 1 a day. I think they help to boost my metabolism slightly. Don't cut your calories intake too much (especially men) or you may simply burn muscle and retain problem fat. Also, find the right calorie ratio of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins that works best for you and try and maintain as best you can. i.e. 20/40/40 fat/protein/carbs. Try and consume as many complex carbs as you can which is sometimes hard to do on the road long term without getting burned out on a handful of practical foods.
Not saying its the best choice in selection or price... Just as far as the large truckstop chains, Love's has seemed to step up their offerings in the fruit and vegetable dept. Some stores more than others. Ive seen plums, pineapple, peaches, pears, strawberries, and melons lately with the typical oranges, apples and bannanas. some whole, some sliced/prepared. Again not saying shop there, but as truckstop chains go... Petro's Iron skillet seems to have the most diverse salad bar selections. And they do let you select what you want and pay by weight. A driver could keep his own healthy dressing on the truck rather than the place's fattier choices Im sure there are some great stops with better choices and selections.... Im just saying there is some movement among the big chains to offer up better choices. Walmart is still everywhere, better selection and way cheaper... you cant always get a truck in there.
I found that its not so much the flavor of the soda I drink, its the bubbles (carbonation) that I like. I bought the soad stream beverage maker, and make my own soda water. I ignore the syrups... In fact I just bought the one with mini sampler syrups and only tried one. Water is cheap by the gallon. The machine uses its own 1 Litre bottles that can handle the carbonator. It came with 2 bottles. I got 2 CO2 canisters. It lasts me over a month on the road, by which time I have gone home and I just trade in the empty CO2 canisters for 2 new ones at Bed Bath and Beyond. it better than half price with trade in. I do like regular water... however the soda water eliminates my syrup style soda cravings. Oh, carbonation has a carbonic acid byproduct that gives it a little tart feeling on the tounge. A little baking soda cuts that down and gives you the same thing that soda water in the grocery store has. (It occurs in your coke, pepsi, etc. its just the syrup masks or utilizes that acid in the flavor)
salads with olive oil and a balsamic dressing, i munch on baby carrots when i want something sweet, make a smoothie for breakfast and lunch ( easy to get canned mandarin oranges, vanilla yogurt and milk ( or soy milk) when i can i get some frozen yogurt to add to the blender. it is enough for breakfast and lunch. Hoping that when i am driving ( finally) I can get fresh fruit once a week to add to smoothies. Stuff that is local to where i am. RIght now i work in a kitchen and we are expermenting with the smoothies. the mandarin orange smoothie tastes like an orange Julius. if you have a driod phone there are plenty of aps for recipes. I dont get any that are not free. and finding that many are very simple. salads are not just greens. but a decent protein salad is easy of you use chick peas, and other canned beans. with computer access hit allrecipes.com and look for cowboy caviar. another is cous cous and cucumber salad easy to make and the cous cous needs cooking but goes a long way.
