070122_TT_AllPages

6 • JULY 2022 NATION
THETRUCKER.COM
A quick scan of food product labels may offer some surprises
THE TRUCKER
TRAINER
BOB PERRY
Have ever noticed, when you are in a
store shopping for food, the number of people
who are label-reading these days and
paying more attention to what the ingredients
are?
This is more than just a fad: We all need
to take more control on educating ourselves
about what we are putting into our bodies.
Food — the right kinds of food — can be our
best medicine.
Think about it in terms of the type of
fuel or oil you put in your truck. I’m sure
you want to put in the best products that
will give you the best outcomes in milage,
performance and endurance. This why it’s
important to learn about reading food and
drink labels, and most importantly, what to
look for.
This can be a challenge for commercial
drivers. When shopping at your favorite
travel center when you stop to fuel up, food
options can be limited.
The Trucker Newspaper (888) 796-6631
Here’s a good rule to follow: If you can’t
pronounce the words, avoid it. Also, look
to see if the product is filled with additives.
Generally, the shorter the number of ingredients,
the less processed it is — and most
likely, the healthier.
High-fructose corn syrup (HFC) is one
ingredient to be aware of; try to stay clear
of foods with HFC in them. It’s basically like
sugar multiplied in your brain.
Next, watch out for the word sodium —
this means salt! Too much sodium can lead
to high blood pressure. If you already have
high blood pressure, eating high-sodium
foods can make it hard to manage your levels.
The recommended daily allowance for
sodium is no more 2000 mg a day. That’s
about one teaspoon of salt, so it’s important
to read your label to understand the
amounts.
Speaking of amounts, another rule to follow
is to pay attention to the number of servings.
Many items that look like one serving
actually include two or even three or more
servings per container or package. This is
where many of us make a huge mistake in
not calculating our caloric intake (if you are
counting calories) and watching sugar.
And don’t forget your beverages. Always
look at the nutrition facts panel on drinks; it
can be quite shocking! One can of soda has
about 28 grams of sugar. Basically, drinking
iStock Photo
Be sure to note the “serving size” information when checking product labels. Many convenience items that appear
to contain a single serving actually contain enough for two or more.
a 12-ounce can of soda is like eating seven
spoonsful of sugar — yikes!
Now, go out there and take control of
your diet — and read your labels.
Known as The Trucker Trainer, Bob Perry
has played a critical role in the paradigm shift
of regulatory agencies, private and public sector
entities, and consumers to understand the
driver health challenge. Perry can be reached
at truckertrainer@icloud.com. 8
OTR Capital announces
rebranding as OTR Solutions
THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF
TForce
Freight
As part of one of the country’s
fastest growing carriers, TForce
Freight is changing the industry
by offering owner operators
a more solid business partner
plus the opportunity for high
gross earnings in a work
environment that exceeds your
business and lifestyle needs!
888.796.6631 or apply now at:
TForceFreightOwnerOperators.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — OTR Capital has changed
its name to OTR Solutions, a change they say
better reflects the company’s mission.
OTR Capital was founded in 2011 as a
financial services and factoring provider
dedicated to improving cash flow for motor
carriers.
Along with the new brand, OTR Solutions
is offering several new services to the trucking
industry, including ELEVATE, a first-tomarket
solution that delivers value through
branded domains and customized websites
for carriers.
“OTR Capital is not only a leading resource
for capital to help carriers improve their
business, beyond that, we are a carrier’s best
friend for a range of services, and the broker’s
most reliable and widely respected partner for
serving the trucking community,” said CEO
Fritz Owens said.
“When we think about what we truly do
here at OTR, our goal is to provide services
for trucking companies to not only be as
successful as possible, but also to better
compete against, or even out-compete, the
largest players in the market,” he said. “We
want to be the go-to resource for small- and
medium-sized carriers to get the financing
and the services they need to thrive in today’s
marketplace.”
“We’ve always said from the very start that
we’re more than just a factoring company,”
said COO Grace Maher.
“While it’s our core business and we do it
better than anyone else, it’s been our mission
to do everything we can to help the small
carrier succeed, and to help brokers efficiently
and effectively transact with a broad segment
of the market,” Maher continued. “Through
those solutions we currently have, the
technology that we’re building, and the
partners we’ve brought on board, we are going
to continue to expand our menu of tools and
services as we formally change our brand to
OTR Solutions.”
Included among the services that OTR
is launching to expand its menu of services
concurrent with its name change are the
following:
• An expansion of OTR’s “Bolt” product
to allow carriers to receive “direct to debit”
payments in a timely and cost-effective
manner.
• A “driver safety rating scorecard” tool that
will allow carriers to monitor their FMCSA
scores to ensure that a surprise inspection
doesn’t take them off the road.
SEE OTR ON PAGE 12