Beat travel bloat with these top tips
We love going on an exotic, far-flung holiday. What we don’t love, however, is that sluggish feeling you get after a long haul flight, where you’re so bloated that you look like Harry Potter’s Aunt Marge.
Cruising at 30,000 feet has been proved to have a negative effect on your digestive system as, according to scientists, the high altitude causes the gases in our bodies to expand. Cue horrendous bloating and, err, a fair bit of flatulence.
Just look at your water bottle if you want proof. In the words of NetDoctor: 'Think of how a water bottle expands in the plane, and explodes a little when you open it mid-flight - the same thing is happening in your gut!'
The good news is that there are things you can do to help avoid bloated travel gut, starting with avoiding the usual suspects.
Baked beans, broccoli, cabbage and chickpeas are all well-known culprits when it comes to flatulence, as well as fizzy drinks and chewing gum.
Deep-friend and fatty foods are also a no-go. Heavy on the intestines and hard to digest, they are more likely to make you have an uncomfortable flight.
If you do go for plane food, choose the veggie option which is usually lighter, healthier and easier to digest. Want dessert? Go for the fruit salad, which will help keep you hydrated thanks to the fruits high water content levels.
Staying hydrated is key to keeping you feeling tip-top, so make sure you drink plenty of water. In fact, it’s recommended that for every hour you are flying, you need to drink at least 250ml of still water.
Taking herbal teas in your handbag is a good way to increase your water intake. Pick your flavour to suit yours needs. For example, if bloating is your main concern, teas like peppermint or fennel will help aid digestion, while chamomile is great for helping you relax and get some shut-eye.
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If you suffer form travel sickness, go for ginger, which ease nausea and settle your stomach.
Fancy a drink? Try to resist a glass of bubbly and go for something non-carbonated to keep gas at bay. Once you’ve had a glass, it’s time to stop. Yes, we know it’s boring but any more any you’re going to end up seriously dehydrated so stick to the one.
