Staying Energized on the Road: Drinks to Fuel You

For truck drivers, long drives sort of come with the job description. And as we all know, sleeping and driving are a terrible combination, not just for you but for others on the road as well. When safety comes first — as it always must for a truck driver — it becomes important to think of ways to stay energized and awake as you put in long hours behind the wheel. Read on to find out our best recommendations.

Coffee
Tried and true, coffee is the most common choice of energy drink. A twelve-ounce cup typically has between 150 and 250 mg of caffeine. This is plenty to get the heart pumping, energize the body and increase alertness. If you’re feeling tired or sleepy, one cup of coffee should do the trick, though, for people who are sensitive to caffeine, one cup might even be too much.

Coffee does have some downsides, however, which is why it’s important to know your own body. If drinking coffee affects your stomach and forces you to make additional bathroom stops, it might not be worth it. It’s also important to know that coffee is not a replacement for water. Make sure you keep up with your water consumption alongside any coffee you drink so you don’t become dehydrated.

We suggest consuming coffee with food or on a full stomach to help reduce the jitters and prevent blood sugar crashes, which caffeine can cause in some individuals.

Energy Drinks
Rockstar, Red Bull, Monster, etc.: these drinks can offer the same pick-me-up effect as coffee, but they tend to have more severe downsides. High in caffeine and sugar, they put the body on a blood-sugar roller coaster. If you choose to consume these drinks, be sure to do so in moderation.

Teas and Green Coffee Extract Drinks
Tea-based beverages and drinks containing green coffee extract (like Bai) can offer great alternatives to coffee and energy drinks. Generally lower in caffeine, these beverages can be gentler on the system (fewer jitters) and easier on the stomach (no sudden bathroom stops), while still helping with alertness and wakefulness. If you decide to go this route, read the labels to find low-sugar or no-sugar options. Bai, for instance, contains only 1 g of sugar per bottle.

Water
Caffeinated drinks, sugary drinks, and supplement-heavy drinks can all cause the body to become dehydrated. This means that there is no true replacement for water. Staying well-hydrated by drinking water throughout the day will make you feel better all day long and feeling better will help you stay alert behind the wheel.

We at America Truck Driving School want you to be the best truck driver you can be, and that includes taking care of your health. If you’re looking for more ways to stay energized while on the road, take a look at our blog post on the best snacks to take with you while driving. To get started on your career in truck driving, contact us today at 714-542-8660!