New research reveals van drivers are going vegetarian

After the indulgences of Christmas, many Brits go into January with a newfound determination to get fit and make healthier diet choices. And according to new research from Vauxhall, van drivers are no exception.

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Vauxhall surveyed 1,100 van drivers from across the UK about their diet and fitness regimes. They found that many are going into the new year with a more health-conscious outlook.

Of those questioned, 34 per cent said that they were going to focus on eating a better diet, with 19 per cent saying that they’d tried vegetarian alternatives to meat such as vegan sausage rolls and Quorn.

In addition, 19 per cent said they were aiming to exercise at least once a week.

And it seems that alcohol is falling out of favour too, with 37 per cent saying they intended to cut down on their alcohol intake, and 21 per cent stating that they had tried alcohol-free beer or wine in the past year.

Van drivers are making healthy eating “a priority”

Vauxhall has partnered with George Egg, also known as the ‘Anarchist Chef’, who is currently travelling around the country, cooking up healthy dishes in his Vivaro van. Some of his healthier options include a ‘full English salad’ and ‘vegan paper shredder tagliatelle’.

“Van drivers often spend a lot of time at the wheel, which can make it trickier to prioritise healthy eating and exercise, but our research shows many are making it a priority,” according to Patrick Fourniol, marketing director at Vauxhall.

Top tips for van drivers looking to get healthy

With time at a premium, many self-employed people find it hard to make health a priority. But if you're hoping to make some improvements in 2020, a bit of planning could be all it takes.

• plan your meals – instead of stopping for lunch anywhere that's convenient, spend some time thinking about healthier options beforehand. You could even save yourself a few pounds and pre-prepare a few healthy snacks for the road
• choose to walk, when possible – walking is not only a great way to burn a few extra calories, it’s also really good for your mental health - research has shown that walking reduces stress, anxiety and mental fatigue
• track your diet on your phone – if you’ve never tracked your daily diet before, you’ll be surprised to see how easy it is to eat your recommended daily calories in one sitting. Download a diet-tracking app and keep on top of the calories you’re consuming
• cut out the coffee and energy drinks – when you’re faced with long hours, a large coffee or a sugary energy drink might seem like the obvious solution - but drinking large amounts of caffeine can have a major impact on your sleep. Instead, opt for water to make sure you stay hydrated

What do you think about van drivers going veggie? Let us know by leaving a comment below.