New mission to boost truckers' heart health

15 hours ago

Kayleigh BarkerWiltshire

News image — Truckers are being urged to eat more plants throughout February

Getty Images Man walking past a line of white lorries with his back to the camera. He is wearing all black. — Truckers are being urged to eat more plants throughout February

Truck stop workers have launched a month-long campaign urging drivers to eat more plants to boost their heart health.

Staff at Chippenham Pit Stop, off junction 17 on the M4, are running the "Love Your Hearts" scheme throughout February to coincide with Valentine's Day.

As part of the campaign, truckers are urged to eat 30 plants a week by making small changes to their diet, including adding nuts to their breakfast or switching daily fruit choices.

Lucy Hatherall, 29, works at the Pit Stop and said: "Lorry drivers live sedentary lives, sitting in their cabs for long hours every day…so we're focusing on how improving gut health reduces inflammation and therefore heart disease risks."

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James Mitchell, 49, is a HGV driver who regularly stays at the Pit Stop for the night after a 12-hour shift.

Mitchell said it can be hard to find healthy food in motorway services that is not too expensive.

James smiling while sitting on a brown leather bench. Behind him is a honey coloured brick wall and large window that looks out onto the car park. James wears a grey zip up fleece and wears large black framed glasses. — Mitchell said finding affordable healthy food on the road can be difficult

He added that having places like the Pit Stop is vital.

"I will always try and get to the Pit Stop, rather than stopping at the services who usually just have fast food…we need more decent truck stops like this, they're really important to the industry," he added.

Jo Burton, 52, front of house supervisor for the Pit Stop, said they have about 160 HGV overnight parking spaces.

"It can get busy here and they've all got to eat somewhere…It's better to have a chat, a welcome smile and not a microwave meal in the back of the truck," she added.

Jo (L) has blonde hair, wearing navy blue jumper and around her neck is a work lanyard. Lucy (R) has brown hair, she is wearing a black top with a grey cardigan. Behind the pair is the coffee station where a large bright red coffee machine sits with white mugs on top. — Jo Burton and Lucy Hatherall work at The Chippenham Pit Stop and helped come up with the campaign

Hatherall said this health campaign is about making people view food in a different way.

"Often a lot of campaigns directed at people living this lifestyle are taking things away like counting calories, not eating sweet treats, not drinking alcohol and while that is important, we wanted to highlight how they can add to their lifestyle and your diet to make a positive difference," she said.

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