We live in a paradox: never before in history have so many people had access to so much food…and yet never have we been so sick, tired, and malnourished.
The average American is now overfed yet undernourished - consuming more calories than ever, while missing out on the critical nutrients the body actually needs to thrive. And in the trucking industry, where fast, convenient food is often the only food available, this crisis hits especially hard.
Let’s get real about the numbers.
55% of the average American’s daily calories come from ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
For children and teens, that number jumps to 62%.
Even among adults who try to “eat healthy,” over half of daily intake still comes from UPFs.
That means more than half of what we’re eating isn’t real, whole food - it’s engineered, shelf-stable, chemically flavored food-like substances. As Ultra-Processed People author Chris van Tulleken puts it: most UPFs are “industrially produced edible substances,” not actual food.
French fries are America’s most-consumed “vegetable,” and bananas top the fruit charts. That’s telling. Our diets are calorie-rich, but nutrient-poor.
Truck drivers face unique challenges. Long hours on the road, limited food options, and inconsistent schedules make healthy eating difficult.
But the consequences are severe:
Higher rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease
Low energy, chronic inflammation, and mental fog
Shortened lifespan - especially for drivers who feel stuck in this cycle
Multiple books, from The Obesity Code to Glucose Revolution and The Complete Guide to Fasting, all converge on one truth: the modern diet is making us sick. And the solution starts with going back to basics.
Cut out the ultra-processed junk.
If it comes in a box, bag, or has more than five ingredients, it’s probably doing more harm than good.
Eat real food - mostly plants.
As Michael Pollan famously said:
“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
You don’t need a complicated diet. You just need real food.
Make better choices at truck stops.
Grab the hard-boiled eggs, nuts, or veggie snack packs over the packaged snack cakes and fried foods.
Plan ahead when you can.
Pack simple meals from home. A bag of apples, a cooler with pre-cooked chicken or rice, or even pre-cut veggies can go a long way.
Track your food for awareness.
You don’t need to count every calorie, but knowing what you're putting in your body can be a game-changer.
You don’t need a fancy meal plan to get started. You need awareness, intention, and the willingness to take one small step at a time.
At Project 61, we’re here to help drivers make sense of the science and apply it on the road. Health isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress.
Download the free Project 61 app and join a growing community of drivers committed to improving their health. You’ll get access to monthly challenges, daily food and fitness goals, and simple tools to track your progress. Because we believe every driver deserves to feel better, live longer, and stay strong behind the wheel.