Healthy One Handed Meals!
olivebegonia1
Posts: 10 Member
Hi!
This is a tough one...
I recently started a new career (September) and I've since hard a really hard time with meals...
My new job finds me driving a LOT. Breakfasts and lunches are generally consumed one-handed as I barrel down the road. This, along with the stress and depression that came along with a new career, has caused my weight to rise to it's highest ever. I'm really hoping for some low-cal, low-carb meals that are satisfying, don't require refrigeration or heating, and can be eaten safely and comfortably with one hand.
Thanks in advance!
This is a tough one...
I recently started a new career (September) and I've since hard a really hard time with meals...
My new job finds me driving a LOT. Breakfasts and lunches are generally consumed one-handed as I barrel down the road. This, along with the stress and depression that came along with a new career, has caused my weight to rise to it's highest ever. I'm really hoping for some low-cal, low-carb meals that are satisfying, don't require refrigeration or heating, and can be eaten safely and comfortably with one hand.
Thanks in advance!
8
Replies
-
Jerky, nuts and cheese sticks.
ETA. I hope you get lunch breaks. My advice will change on foods you can eat with two hands.6 -
I drive alot for work as well. I pack peeled boiled eggs, pepperoni sticks, beef jerky, cheese, cut veggies like peppers and cucumbers, cherry tomatoes as well as, berries, grapes. Are you able to use an insulated lunch bag? That way you could include cooked chicken, ham that kind of thing?9
-
The problem is that it is not safe. It will distract you occasionally. Is there not an alternative that allows you to eat your meals safely?22
-
There's no safe way to drive with one hand. Is it worth killing yourself or others?
Get up 15 minutes earlier so you can have breakfast at home before you leave.
Take 15 minutes parked in your car to eat a sandwich for lunch.
My husband was hit by a distracted driver while he was riding his bike and has permanent injuries.31 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »There's no safe way to drive with one hand. Is it worth killing yourself or others?
Get up 15 minutes earlier so you can have breakfast at home before you leave.
Take 15 minutes parked in your car to eat a sandwich for lunch.
My husband was hit by a distracted driver while he was riding his bike and has permanent injuries.
I'm so sorry to hear this. My condolences.0 -
Stress and depression and barreling down the road one-handed while eating.
Please don't. 😢19 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »There's no safe way to drive with one hand. Is it worth killing yourself or others?
Get up 15 minutes earlier so you can have breakfast at home before you leave.
Take 15 minutes parked in your car to eat a sandwich for lunch.
My husband was hit by a distracted driver while he was riding his bike and has permanent injuries.
I echo this sentiment, to NOT make this a habit. We've all snacked in the car, but planning a regular mealtime while driving is selfish. There is some way to work around almost anything. If you can stop for nature breaks, which I'm sure do, you can stop to eat.11 -
Smoothies.
However, do address the stress and depression. Are you exercising regularly? It is crucial for my mental health to make the time to exercise regularly.
If we don't take the time to care for ourselves, we're not doing our employers, clients, friends, and family any favors, as they are getting the stressed version of ourselves, not the best version.5 -
My son is a lorry driver and has to take regular breaks for safety, his and the other road users. he has a tacometer that records his driving times. if he didn't stop regularly he would be fined and could lose his job. How is what he does any different than a car driver driving all day without a break.
Make the time to pull over and eat your food for your own health, nutrition and driving safety.
Sorry not on topic but a pet peeve of mine. No one should be so oppressed by their job that they do not have time to take at least one 30 min break a day.
12 -
Smoothie is about the safest thing I could recommend besides just taking 5 min to eat before driving. Spirutein is loaded with vitamins, so you can just add whatever milk you like or coffee. Or any protein powder with some frozen fruit or veggies blended in. I've thought about how I would handle a long commute plus long work hours and this is what I thought would work for me(coffee protein shake). Other grab and go items would be trail mix/nuts and fruits like banana or apple, and protein bars but to eat at work or for snack.1
-
I like GNC total lean shake or the total lean burn (the burn shakes have caffeine) shakes. They're a nice meal replacement and they are pretty damn taste and easy to drink. Sorry the app won't let me share a pic. But the mocha ones are my favorite.0
-
Besides the safety aspect, there is a lot of value in pausing during your work day to nourish your body. You are worth it!6
-
I appreciate everyone's tips. I also am keenly aware of everyone's concerns.
That being said: Allow me to map out a typical day for me.
Leave house at 7:45
Arrive at client's house at 8:15
Drop client off to work at 8:30
Drive
Arrive at second client's house 8:45
Drop second client off at work: 9:00
Drive
Return to first client: 9:15
Support first client until shift end (shift ends at 10:15)
Drive first client home 10:15-10:30
Drive back to second client 10:30-10:45
Drive second client home 11:00-11:15
Drive to third client 11:15-11:45
Support third client 11:45-12:30
Drive to fourth client 12-30:12:45
Drive fourth client to work 12:45 -1:00
Support fourth client until shift ends (Shift ends at 3:00)
Drive fourth client home 3:00 -3:15
Drive back to work 3:15-3:30
Do paperwork 3:30-3:45
Sometimes, it's even more hectic.
I had been hitting a lot of drive-thrus for food. This resulted in a weight gain.
What I'm interested in is healthy meals I can consume while working this job. I know it's not ideal. But, let's face it - if everything were ideal, I wouldn't be asking for advice.3 -
It would still be distracted driving. People die as a result of distracted driving.
If you have the 5 or 10 minutes it takes to do a drive-thru, why not take that time to eat your own food.13 -
What time do you get up? Get up 15 minutes earlier and have a small breakfast like overnight oats or some fruit and a yogurt.4
-
It would still be distracted driving. People die as a result of distracted driving.
If you have the 5 or 10 minutes it takes to do a drive-thru, why not take that time to eat your own food.
The point of my post is that I DON'T have the 5 or 10 minutes to do a drive thru. I often DON'T have the time to pull over and eat something. There are times when I have to make a 30 minute drive in 20 minutes.
I'm just trying to do my best...8 -
I agree, don’t eat whilst driving. Sooner or later it’s going to cause a problem and if you’re doing it day in and day out it’ll likely be sooner.
As people have said, eat breakfast before leaving home (if that means you get up 15 mins earlier, then do that. 7:45 is not such an early start after all.
I would question whether if you’re finished driving and are able to do paperwork by 3:30pm if you really need to eat until this time. You’ve not mentioned anything about medical issues that might require more frequent meals. It’s not unheard of for people to go 8 hours or more without sustenance. We mostly do it every night whilst asleep, after all! Yes, ok, you’re not expending so much energy during sleep but I’m sure if you eat a decent breakfast with good protein and fats you could make it through quite happily.5 -
olivebegonia1 wrote: »It would still be distracted driving. People die as a result of distracted driving.
If you have the 5 or 10 minutes it takes to do a drive-thru, why not take that time to eat your own food.
The point of my post is that I DON'T have the 5 or 10 minutes to do a drive thru. I often DON'T have the time to pull over and eat something. There are times when I have to make a 30 minute drive in 20 minutes.
I'm just trying to do my best...
What do other people in your position or similar positions do? That you have no breaks between 8:15 and 3:45 doesn't actually sound legal.6 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »I agree, don’t eat whilst driving. Sooner or later it’s going to cause a problem and if you’re doing it day in and day out it’ll likely be sooner.
As people have said, eat breakfast before leaving home (if that means you get up 15 mins earlier, then do that. 7:45 is not such an early start after all.
I would question whether if you’re finished driving and are able to do paperwork by 3:30pm if you really need to eat until this time. You’ve not mentioned anything about medical issues that might require more frequent meals. It’s not unheard of for people to go 8 hours or more without sustenance. We mostly do it every night whilst asleep, after all! Yes, ok, you’re not expending so much energy during sleep but I’m sure if you eat a decent breakfast with good protein and fats you could make it through quite happily.
0 -
olivebegonia1 wrote: »I appreciate everyone's tips. I also am keenly aware of everyone's concerns.
That being said: Allow me to map out a typical day for me.
Leave house at 7:45
Arrive at client's house at 8:15
Drop client off to work at 8:30
Drive
Arrive at second client's house 8:45
Drop second client off at work: 9:00
Drive
Return to first client: 9:15
Support first client until shift end (shift ends at 10:15)
Drive first client home 10:15-10:30
Drive back to second client 10:30-10:45
Drive second client home 11:00-11:15
Drive to third client 11:15-11:45
Support third client 11:45-12:30
Drive to fourth client 12-30:12:45
Drive fourth client to work 12:45 -1:00
Support fourth client until shift ends (Shift ends at 3:00)
Drive fourth client home 3:00 -3:15
Drive back to work 3:15-3:30
Do paperwork 3:30-3:45
Sometimes, it's even more hectic.
I had been hitting a lot of drive-thrus for food. This resulted in a weight gain.
What I'm interested in is healthy meals I can consume while working this job. I know it's not ideal. But, let's face it - if everything were ideal, I wouldn't be asking for advice.
Perhaps you can show this to your boss and ask them where your meal break is supposed to be.8
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 387 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 897 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions