Salena Lettera

Salena is a professional, over-the-road driver

Don't eat anything your grandmother wouldn't recognize as food

Much has been written about food. The rules, restrictions and choices are endless and mind-boggling.  How can we possibly know how to formulate an eating plan that does for our bodies what premium fuel does for our engines? 

The ingredient list should be easy to understand

Food in its natural form is best; chicken, vegetables, fruit. You shouldn't need a Ph.D. to know what you're putting in your body. Maltodextrin, tricalcium phosphate, acesulfame, tocopherol, disodium guanylate or tripolyphosphate...I don't know about you, but I've never seen a tripolyphosphate tree.

Eat fresh
Europeans are a good example of people who keep food simple. Sure, you'll find McDonald's everywhere from Scotland to Slovakia, but if you follow the example of the old- school Europeans, who chose quality over quantity, your body will thank you. Fast foods and processed foods are convenient, but taking an extra minute to find food that is better for you will ultimately be better for you. Herbert Hoover, when he headed the U.S. Food Administration, urged Americans to “Go back to the simple life; be content with simple food.” How do we do that? Start small.

Smart snacking
Grocery stores are the easiest places to find what you need, but if you can't make it there, here are a few items to reach for when you hit that truck stop or travel plaza:
*    Fruit: Apples, oranges and bananas are often available at many truck stops these days. Raisins, prunes and fruit juices also count in this category; just pick juices that are pure fruit, such as orange, apple, grape and grapefruit.
*    Nuts: Almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. Check the snack aisle and grab a bag of these delicious, natural snack foods. Reach for the unsalted ones.
     Even peanut butter works in this category – spread some on half an apple and you have a great snack.
*    Dairy: Milk, yogurt and string cheese. These make for great snacks and provide you with the calcium you need. Choose low-fat when available.
*    Whole Grains: Oatmeal, baked tortilla chips, toasted oat cereal, Kashi bars and even popcorn, as long as you get the kind with no added salt or butter!
*    Beverages: Water is the obvious first choice, but brewed iced tea, green tea, pomegranate juice and even beverages by Vitamin Water and Naked Juice are all good choices.  

How to simplify eating
When you're standing in line at Wendy's or McDonald's, choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich and a side salad. At Subway, fill your whole grain roll with lean turkey and veggies. The same goes for sit-down restaurants; pass by the buffet and order the grilled chicken, broccoli and baked potato. Every bite is a decision. 

     Salena writes a daily blog that can be seen at salenalettera.com. She also participates in the Twitter phenomenon when the mood strikes; follow her @ SalenaLettera.  She can be contacted directly at salenalettera@gmail.com.