Letter: Letters: The sleepy eater

From JAN WIKSTROM

I read Mr Horne’s article ‘Stay awake, stay alive’ (4 January) with
considerable interest – and disappointment. The author ignored one very
important factor, namely food intake. Anyone that has spent a drowsy Christmas
weighed down by the traditional vast dinner will know what I mean.

I had considerable personal experience of long-distance driving during
one period of about three years when I drove a light truck from Sydney to
Tamworth and back every second weekend. This was mainly at night, partly
because I could not waste working time, partly because driving in the hot
Australian sun is extremely tiring (and there’s another factor for you).

Early in this period, I learned about the effects of sugar and adrenalin
on wakefulness. I realised that I had been battling with sleep from around
the 300 kilometre mark because of eating a normal dinner before setting
off. After I changed to eating a light snack of salad and bread before a
trip, the problem virtually vanished.

As I became more familiar with the road and boredom set in, especially
on the New England Highway, which is smooth, wide and relatively straight,
the problem reappeared. I decided to apply a moderate intake of cane sugar
in order keep my blood sugar up. I found by experimentation over some weeks
that one boiled sweet or candy every 25 kilometres was the minimum to maintain
complete wakefulness. No doubt the added interest of watching the odometer
helped . . .

This method may have side effects, but what would you rather be, slim
or alive?

Jan Wikstrom Port Melbourne, Australia