Food formula for females in the front seat

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With research[1] out today revealing that two-fifths (42 per cent) of women are unaware of the ideal foods they should eat before driving to help maintain concentration and aid alertness, Sheilas' Wheels has teamed up with Yvonne Bishop-Weston, renowned London nutritionist, to create the perfect dietary driving equation.

H2O + n3 + Fe + Mg + V (A + B1 + B12 + C) = optimum driving efficiency[2]

H2O: Water - helps to reduce dizziness, irritability, poor co-ordination and headaches
n3: Omega 3 fatty acid (found in oily fish) - assists brain function and aids concentration
Fe: Iron (found in spinach) - needed to prevent dizziness, anaemia and fatigue
Mg: Magnesium (found in nuts) - supports hormone balance to manage stress levels
Vitamin A: (found in milk and yoghurt) - facilitates good eyesight and helps prevent night-blindness
Vitamin B1: (found in brown rice) - works to combat exhaustion and weakened powers of concentration
Vitamin B12: (found in virtually all meat products) - helps give you energy and mental clarity
Vitamin C: (found in citrus fruits) - important for eye health and fights against tiredness by aiding iron absorption

The research conducted by Sheilas' Wheels car insurance highlights that today's women-on-the-go are either driving on empty or quickly filling up on foods before or during their journey that may have a detrimental effect on their concentration and energy levels.

Of those questioned, nearly a quarter (23 per cent) admitted to opting for fast food when stopping to 're-fuel' at service stations - the quick and easy option for today's fast-paced lifestyles. However, almost half (47 per cent) of female motorists did admit that this type of food often makes them feel lethargic and even 28 per cent admitted that their concentration levels were low immediately after eating fast food.

With the hectic pace of modern living, worryingly over three quarters (84 per cent) of female motorists are getting behind the wheel while hungry according to the survey. This can lead to increased tiredness, a loss of concentration and irritability - all factors that can hamper safe driving.

Jacky Brown, at Sheilas' Wheels car insurance, commented:
"They say you get out what you put in and this is especially true when it comes to what you do or don't eat before taking to the driving seat. A lack of food or eating the worst types of food before or during a drive - such as sugar-loaded meals and snacks - may lead to blood sugar dips and effect energy and concentration levels which, in turn, could increase the chances of having an accident.

"This practical dietary formula should give women 'food for thought' when re-fuelling before long journeys and during pit-stops. Today's modern woman is understandably time-poor but eating the optimum combination of foods will make a real difference in terms of maintaining alertness and overall driver safety."

Yvonne Bishop-Weston, nutritional therapist, commented:
"Safe driving requires a careful balance of keeping your mind alert and being able to concentrate without feeling anxious and liable to road rage. You need to make sure that your mood is calm to help you deal with the inevitable stresses and strains of being behind the wheel but not so relaxed that you feel sleepy. Women need to ensure that they are eating the right combination of foods to guarantee that they reach this ideal driving state."

Yvonne Bishop-Weston has compiled five top 'food and drink' driving tips to help women maintain high levels of concentration and awareness behind the wheel:

Eat every three to four hours during the day - have three meals and two snacks to help keep fuel levels steady
Avoid large meals which can make you feel sleepy as you may struggle to digest them
Drink enough water. Dehydration can lead to poor driving performance and symptoms of mild dehydration include tiredness, dizziness, irritability, reduced ability to concentrate, poor co-ordination and headaches. Severe dehydration can lead to clumsiness, slower reaction times and even poor vision
Only turn to stimulant drinks such as caffeine to give you a boost when you really need them; otherwise, over time, they may stop having the desired effect. Over-use may also lead to anxiety, fatigue and reduced ability to cope with stress
For breakfast, pick a meal option that's rich in protein and fibre and low in sugar. The longer your journey, the slower and more steady you want your energy released. If you feel that you need an energy boost at the start of your day then add fresh fruit to your cereal for a natural sugar pick-up

For those looking for a substantial food fix before a long journey, Sheilas' Wheels has compiled a number of ideal breakfast, lunch and dinner driving recipes - Sheilas' Meals - to suit all journey start times. To see the full recipes, further tips and more detailed suggestions from the 'ultimate driving menu', please visit Insurance research.

Regional breakdown
Welsh female motorists are more likely to opt for convenience on-the-go as over three-quarters (87 per cent) admit to stopping at a service station for food to break up a journey - compared to two-thirds (63 per cent) of Londoners.

When it comes to knowing the ideal foods to consume before driving, those polled in the East Midlands are the least clued up with 48 per cent claiming that they don't know the exact foods to eat in order to maintain concentration and aid alertness behind the wheel, compared to 28 per cent of women drivers in the North East.

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For further information please contact the Sheilas' Wheels press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email sheilaswheels@mischiefpr.com

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Notes to Editors:

Sheilas' Wheels used the independent online research company Fly Research who surveyed 1,024 females in the UK, from across the country aged 18 and over, between the 7th July and 10th July 2009.
This equation is valid if it is used over a sustained period of time, not just before driving. The advice is not suggesting these vitamins and minerals should be obtained from liquid alternatives.

The advice in this press release is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, please contact your doctor if you have concerns about your health. Stimulating foods should be avoided if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure or are pregnant. There are also other health conditions which may be relevant, please check with your GP.

About Sheilas' Wheels:
Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.

Sponsorship:
Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: "The weather you can never choose, but Sheilas' Wheels is all good news!"

About Yvonne Bishop-Weston:
A former tutor at The Institute of Optimum Nutrition in London, health writer and motivational speaker. Yvonne appears frequently in the press and on TV and sees clients on a one-to-one basis in her London clinics and via the phone, as well as offering corporate services including nutrition training seminars and workshops. Yvonne is registered with various professional bodies including BANT, ION, Foresight, Food & Mood project, NTC and Embody.