Boston is infamous for its poor drivers and bad traffic. While it may not be a point of pride, it is a widely acknowledged aspect of our city. Tourists and locals alike agree that navigating the roads of Greater Boston can be treacherous.
Which comes first: our poor driving or the abundance of traffic? Is it the aggressive driving caused by constant congestion, or is the congestion a result of our bad driving habits? In my opinion, the primary factor is the vast number of cars packed onto limited roads, resulting in some of the worst traffic in the nation.
The constant flow of traffic can be incredibly stressful for various reasons.
The constant traffic congestion is now causing a new worry. It's not just the increased blood pressure and heart rate, but also the potential for weight gain. In other words, the daily commute in Boston may be contributing to an expanding waistline.
At first, the idea may seem unbelievable. But imagine this scenario: You finish work at 5 PM and hit the road, joining the chaotic traffic on one of our busiest routes. It's almost guaranteed that you'll spend a considerable amount of time sitting in your car. For those who live about 15 miles outside the city, it's safe to say it will take at least an hour or more to reach home.
Boston is infamous for its poor drivers and bad traffic. While it may not be a point of pride, it is a widely acknowledged aspect of our city. Tourists and locals alike agree that navigating the roads of Greater Boston can be treacherous.
When that happens you start thinking about how getting home and cooking dinner is too much effort and start looking for an easier way out. That invariably means you’re probably going to stop somewhere to “pick up dinner”
According to a recent study published in the “Journal of Urban Economics” traffic congestion can contribute to weight gain due to our dinner choices while driving. The researchers analyzed three years of traffic and GPS data, concluding that heavy traffic increases the likelihood of consuming fast food, particularly for dinner.
When stuck in traffic for a long period of time most people do not opt to go to a grocery to buy uncooked food to prepare when getting home. If they do stop by a grocery store on their way home, they opt for the store’s “take out” food options.
Want to avoid bloating? To prevent those late-night trips to fast food joints, try preparing and planning your meals in advance. This will make it easier when you come home, as half the work is already done. The other half involves having the motivation to actually cook. Another trick is to keep some light snacks, such as crackers or healthier options, in your car for when you need a quick fix. And by the way, Boston made the list of worst cities for driving. What a surprise!