Food tips
Many accidents are caused by drivers who are distracted (not paying attention) or who fall asleep behind the wheel. Food and drink contain various things that can make us sleepy or alert.
We differentiate between “alert food and drink” and “sleepy food and drink”. You will be ready to drive straight away if you consume “alert” types, but if you consume “sleepy” type you should rest for at least 30-90 minutes before continuing your journey.
Alert food
- Eat little and often, every 3 to 4 hours (i.e. 5 meals a day). Food which includes rice, bread, potatoes, etc. and white meat such as chicken, turkey, etc. can increase your performance and endurance.
- Your food should also contain a certain amount of fibre, which helps to stabilise your blood sugar and hence your performance.
Sleepy food
- Eating large amounts of food, fatty foods and sweet foods will make you feel relaxed and sleepy at the wheel.
Alert drinks
- Drink every hour in order to maintain your fluid balance.
- Natural mineral water contains minerals that help the body to retain water so that it does not “pass straight through you”.
- Ideally, choose a mineral water with a low-sodium content, i.e. less than 50 mg of sodium per litre.
Sleepy drinks
- Diuretic drinks such as coffee, tea, cola, etc.
- Sweet drinks may cause fluctuations in your blood sugar levels and make you drowsy after about 20-30 minutes.
- Salty drinks cause high blood pressure in people who are predisposed towards this condition.