I enjoyed last week’s article by John Navroth on the top 10 foods to avoid while driving. There’s another hazard of dashboard dining that supervisors should discuss with their workers: poor nutrition. Here’s a short safety talk on the subject.

SAFETY TALK: The Hazards of Dashboard Dining

We all have places to go and people to see. We’re on the road so much that many of us tend to eat meals in our vehicles. Besides being a dangerous driving distraction, the meals we normally choose to eat while on the road are often not particularly good for our health.

Choose Nutritious Foods Over Fast Foods

As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet has some well-known benefits, such as boosting energy, combating fatigue and reducing anxiety and stress.

If you often find yourself driving at mealtime, stock your vehicle with something more nutritious than restaurant fast foods. Instead, snack on fresh fruit and raw vegetables. Low fat crackers, dry cereal, trail mix, dried fruit and whole grain cookies will keep for days without refrigeration in moderate temperatures. Foods such as these can tide you over until you can have a relaxed meal.

If you know you are going to be on the road during the day, pack a meal in a container with a cold pack. Fresh fruits, vegetable sticks, sandwiches and even leftovers are good choices if they are kept chilled. You should also carry a bottle of water.

If you must buy a meal to eat on the run, look for alternatives to high fat fast foods. Order a large salad with the dressing on the side, or a grilled chicken sandwich without spreads or sauces. You might find more healthful foods at a grocery store, such as a low fat muffin and a container of juice for breakfast or a snack. Supermarket produce departments often have packs of vegetables already washed and sliced.

Conclusion

Getting proper nutrition is just one of the challenges of meals in motion. If you’re not able to take the time for a relaxed, nutritious meal at a restaurant, try to at least choose healthful foods to eat in the car. And remember: Eating while you are driving can put you at risk for a traffic accident, so pull over if possible.

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