Groceries for a truck driver

[Pariah]

My husband recently got his CDL and is out on the road driving trucks. We're unsure what is the best way to buy him food. Obviously eating fast food all the time is out, for the cost as well as the health reasons. Truck stop convenience food is very expensive, as well, and very little is healthy (for us, anyway...we've done lots of road trips, and we rarely find anything to eat at truck stops. And I'm vegan on top of it, which makes it even harder). He's been shopping at Wal-Marts along the way so far, and the only way he really has to cook foods is the microwaves at gas stations and truck stops. We're very much of a whole/organic food, cooking from scratch sort of background, and we buy very little packaged foods, so this is a challenge for us. So far I've found good deals here at home on things like fruit cups (after I check the ingredients to make sure it is no sugar added!), soups, and I have some recipes for trail mixes and other more natural foods that we're used to eating that don't require refrigeration. I can make those the day or so before he comes home so they're ready for him to take when he leaves again, in big batches.

So the goal here is...as healthy as possible, but can't require refrigeration or cooking beyond microwaving. Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated! We're totally new to this, so suggestions from more experienced drivers/partners of drivers would be excellent!

Thanks!

[hotcouponmama]

Canned soup, soup cups, granola bars, loaf of bread with PB & jelly, jerkey, chips, fresh fruit.

We used to travel alot on the road, and you can also do an ice chest and keep it filled with ice, and pack lunchmeat as well. Grab condiments from wherever, like individiual packets and such to keep handy too.

[derketchup]

Is your DH vegan or vegetarian as well?

My husband takes canned sardines, tuna, beef jerkey, and nuts with him when he goes out to sea. You might also try dried fruits since they still contain some fiber and nutrients.

I think the biggest problem is most prepackaged food contains animal products, and while this may or may not be a problem for your DH it will be a problem for you. As a vegetarian my poor little brain is running around in circles keeping track of what I can and cannot eat!

Oh, peanut butter would also be an option. Skippy makes a "natural" peanut butter that is peanuts, palm oil, sugar, and salt so you don't have to worry about it separating on you. And you can also find powdered soy milk in health food stores, which you can mix up easily in a water bottle just by shaking vigorously. (I don't know if it contains animal products -- again not much help here...)

[Pariah]

I stay at home with our son, so finding stuff on the road for me doesn't really matter. I just pack well when we go on road trips.

Dh is not veg at the moment, but does not like tuna...jerkey would be a good idea, though.

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys!

[derketchup]

Once I found salmon jerkey at Trader Joe's.... just a thought!

[troubles]

My husband is a truck driver and we bought a cooler that you plug into the lighter no ice needed and it allowed for items like lunch meats....I think you can get it at Wal Mart

[DebK1013]

My husband is a truck driver and we bought a cooler that you plug into the lighter no ice needed and it allowed for items like lunch meats....I think you can get it at Wal Mart

I was going to suggest the same thing. Then you could put things in storage containers and he could heat them up at the truck stops. Less pre-packaged foods.

Could also hold drinks so less OOP costs.

[Lmnde]

Depending on how many days he is out on the road [for how many days you have to prep] before he gets back home - you can precook entire meals and freeze. Think easy one dish meals such as stirfry, lasagna, pasta/meat/veggie dishes, stews and thick soups etc. Deepfried food along with a pasta or potato salad, lasts longer and can be eaten cold as well. Frozen meals go into a cooler [and because frozen last longer while they untaw and also helps keeping sandwiches, fresh fruit etc cool. Instead of ice buy a few of the cooler packs, that way the food etc does not get wet and water logged.

If he is out for more than a day at a time, use 2 seperate coolers - one for the frozen meals that only gets opened when he takes one out; the other for drinks and sandwiches that get eaten the first day on the road. A plug-in cooler or refrigerator would come in handy too...

[Merczilla]

Potatoes could be good. YOu can "bake" one in a microwave. I would have to have butter to go with, though. lol I don't use the microwave much, so I'm not much help. lol

[Pariah]

troubles, did you find that the cooler is worth the price? That sounds pretty cool! I wasn't aware that there was anything like that available.

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone! I appreciate it! I've learned a lot about frugality on this site...I'm by far the most frugal person I know, but people on this site amaze me! :) Lots of good info here.