Question
I posted this on the round table, but thought that it should be on the Medical form also. Below is the new minimum general knowledge requirements needed, on general nutrition for new entry level CDL driver's. Schools and Companies shall be required to teach and certify each new CDL driver.
The Federal Motor Carrier Saftey Administration has issued a final rule (Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators), requiring training for entry level-drivers who are subject to the commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements on May 21, 2004. Final Rule (49 CFR Part 380)
The training must include instruction on the following four areas:
Driver qualification
Hours of service
Driver Wellness (See attached diet and food chart below)
Whistleblower protection (Pertains To Health and Safety in this form FMCSRs Illness and Fatigue)
Drivers who are required to hold a CDL and have less than one year's experience in operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce are subject to the training requirements.
Healthy eating habits for drivers
There are many types of driving jobs – all of which present certain health and safety challenges and obstacles for drivers. But it is the over-the-road (OTR) driver who may experience the most difficulty in overcoming the physical problems of maintaining health on the road. That also means major difficulties in trying to lead a safe and healthy life “on the road”. Why?
The lifestyle of a typical OTR driver is often characterized by:
Lack of proper rest and very irregular sleep patterns,
Long periods of boredom,
Stress of being away from home for long periods of time, and
Long periods of inactivity (sitting behind the wheel) followed by periods of strenuous activity (loading and/or unloading).
But probably the area that has the greatest impact on driver health is the irregular and improper eating habits of many such OTR drivers. Hour after hour behind the wheel, waiting for dispatch in break rooms or to get loaded or unloaded may lead such drivers to choose snack (junk food) over good regular, healthy meals as a way of passing the time. Unfortunately, the old phrase really rings true – we are what we eat!
Nutritional science is discovering that food intake plays a major role in nearly all aspects of our lives, from our emotional stability to our energy level to our overall health and sense of well-being. While there may be much you can do to change the nature of the ORT driving job, such a driver can at least learn and use some healthy eating habits.
Diet – snacking can be a good thing!
If you’ve ever seen a truck interior littered with empty potato chip bags, fast food wrappers, and empty soda cans, you may be in the presence of a “snack addict”. OTR drivers, generally speaking, do a lot of snacking. But while snacking has been shown to be the major cause of overweight, it can also be a beneficial and healthy habit, if it’s done properly and the right foods are consumed. For instance:
Replace potato and other salty chips with carrot chips. Carrots are a great source of carotene, and natural calorie buster that also speeds the body’s metabolism.
Replace fries with celery sticks. Celery is loaded with minerals that help energize the glandular system producing weight-gain-deflecting hormones.
Replace cookies, donuts, and other kinds of “cake” foods with melon slices. Melons are a high-energy food and are loaded with vitamin C.
Replace candy and other high-sugar foods with apples, bananas, or dried fruit. These are good alternatives to sweets, keep well, and can limit the amount of fat and calories the body’s fat cells absorb.
Don’t cut out the rough stuff
Fiber is essential to maintaining good health. Fiber (or roughage) is the indigestible component of grains, fruits and vegetables. There are basically two types of fiber – soluble and insoluble.
Soluble fiber, as found in oats, beans and many fruits, can help lower cholesterol and can stabilize blood sugar.
Insoluble fiber, like that found in corn, wheat bran, and leafy and root vegetables, can help prevent constipation and lower the risk of colon cancer. Many OTR drivers fail to eat enough dietary fiber (20-35 grams per day are recommended).
But there are plenty of excellent ways to increase fiber intake. Here are some examples:
Replace processed cereals and white bread with whole-grain breads and cereals, long-grain rice, and pastas.
Leave the (washed) peels and skins on fruit and vegetables when you eat them. They are great sources of dietary fiber.
Have a whole orange or grapefruit instead of juice for breakfast or at any time of day.
Increase water intake to help the fiber that you do eat do its job.
Some nutrition ABCs
Your best bet to attain or maintain good health is to eat a wide variety of nutritious foods, according to experts in the field of nutrition. For example, you should eat plenty of nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains; but go easy on foods with lots of calories and fat but not much else (bacon cheeseburgers and chocolate ice cream are two examples). No pill can substitute for a healthy diet or compensate for a bad one, but if you know you don’t always eat right, a good multivitamin can be helpful.
NUTRITION ABCs
Vitamin/mineral
Why you need it
Some places to get it
A
Good vision and healthy skin and bones; fights infection
Liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach
B-6
Builds new cells, including red blood cells; fights infection
Bananas, salmon, chicken, watermelon
B-12
Healthy blood and nerves
Cold cereal, steak, tuna, roast beef
C
Absorbs iron; healthy gums, teeth, bones and muscles
Broccoli, orange juice, strawberries
D
Absorbs and retains calcium
Sunlight, milk
E
Protects your cells, including red blood cells
Sunflower seeds, peanut butter, almonds, lobster
CALCIUM
Strong bones and teeth; healthy blood, nerves and muscles
Yogurt, cheese, grapefruit juice
IRON
Healthy red blood cells; to convert food to energy
Clams, chopped sirloin, shrimp, black beans
ZINC
Healthy immune system, to taste food
Oysters, turkey, green peas
Catch you on the flip!
Answer
Scalehouse-
Thank you for this update. As a dietitian/ diabetes educator, I see many truck drivers - but often - only when they are on the brink of having to use insulin.
I hope this new requirement will help yall stay healthy on the road. Would you happen to know who is deciding what the nutrition curriculum will include?
Thanks!
Michelle Prejean PhD, RD, LD
Answer
Texard;
You may check with the Federal Motor Carrier's Safety Administration, to find out what the new cirriculum reqirments are. Their web site is www.dol.gov and then click on the FMCSA icon and you should find this nutrition information on their menu.
Catch you on the flip!