|
According to one of Australia's leading driver trainers, Russell White, families travelling on holidays and professional drivers have a number of things in common — and not all of it good.
“Holidaymakers and professional drivers put in a lot of time behind the wheel and when they stop, their food choices tend to lean towards the `quick energy hit' of high-calorie fast foods,” said Mr White, general manager of the Holden Performance Driving Centre at Norwell, south of Beenleigh.
“A study by fleet operator SCA Freight conducted in Britain during the 1970s discovered that a significant number of lorry drivers who had serious accidents had consumed a typical high-fat meal in the half hour before the accident.”
Mr White said the University of Sydney had excellent information about low glycaemic index foods which were ideal for drivers.
“High glycaemic index foods such as potatoes in chips or sugar in chocolate bars might give you a quick hit, but the energy you receive dissipates faster than foods which have a `slow burn' effect such as pastas and wholemeal bread,” he said.
“Drivers should consider having a lunch that includes wholemeal sandwich with salad instead of a burger. Instead of snacking on chips during the drive, look at alternatives such as almonds or cashew nuts.
“Also, avoid soft drinks. They leave you bloated and uncomfortable — not the feeling you want when you're trying to concentrate on your driving.”
Parents can reduce travel sickness and some of the other stresses of travelling with children by watching their food intake.
“It is so easy to get caught up in holiday mode and be less vigilant about what they eat,” he said.
“By thinking ahead you can reduce the risk of a dealing with a child who has pent up energy and nowhere to spend it because they've been eating chocolate all morning, or just as distressing, a child who is suffering from travel sickness.”
Mr White said fresh and dried fruit and plain popcorn were great snack foods, as were treats that contained a little bit of ginger, a popular remedy for warding off travel sickness.
“Travelling long distances can be very dehydrating so make sure children drink plenty of water,” he said. “Water is less unsettling on young stomachs than fizzy and other sweetened drinks.
“Of course, don't forget to pull over and take a break every couple of hours.”
DRIVING HOLIDAY TIPS
1 plan your trip ahead including where you plan to pull over to take your breaks;
2 pack the car the night before;
3 have a good breakfast with plenty of low GI foods;
4 ensure you have plenty of water to drink;
5 snack on healthy foods that provide sustained energy;
6 ginger can help with travel sickness;
7 provide children with games and activities as alternatives to “grazing” from point to point;
8 make sure where possible to provide shade from direct sunlight which exacerbates travel headaches and nausea especially in children;
9 take those regular rest stops; and
10 at rest stops, drivers should walk around and stretch as children play.
|
