Want to eat healthier on the road?
Try getting more sleep. One of the most difficult things to do when working
either as a crewmember or artist is to keep a healthy lifestyle on the road.
The constant push to keep moving and arrive at the next destination on time or
better yet early makes the traveling portion a major grind. Long hours on the
road or airport while eating on the way at fast-food joints or even worse, gas
stations.
Here is what I have learned over my
years of doing road gigs: I get hungry when I am tired. Yes, I tend to go for
the sugar and carbs when I am absolutely exhausted. It’s like my body’s saying,
“Hey, you are tired but need to keep going? Have some sugar and fast food
(which is really bread [sugar carbs] and sweeteners) so we can keep this pace
up”. Although for you road warriors and other crew types, you know that sleep
is pretty much a premium. During one of my first tours as a green A2, I was
shocked to see crewmembers getting a 2-hour break and then spending it curled
up under a staircase or on a set of road boxes. This would often be the sleep
they would get before another 8-hour shift.
So as I grow a little bit older, I
noticed that when I was well rested, I tended to eat much healthier. Mostly
vegetables and protein; no fast food. When I get tired at night, I sleep a
minimum of 7 hours. This leaves me well rested and actually ready for the day.
I tend of have more cognitive engagement as the day progresses as well. I
translated this new behavioral process to my road warrior lifestyle and so far,
so good.
Here are my 5 tips for eating healthier
on the road:
- Get sleep in a minimum of
3.5 hour blocks.
- Eat mostly plants and protein
(meat or vegetarian options)
- Try to have 2 hours of
downtime for yourself somewhere in the day. Play video games or do
something mindless you enjoy.
- Naps are great, take a
10-30 minute nap if possible
- Work out! Yes, work out.
30-60 minutes of increased cardio helps curb appetites and makes us crave
better food and sleep!
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