None
These two things — a change in schedule and dehydration — are the main culprits according to Cohen. It certainly doesn’t help that people who travel are often eating differently than they do at home. Whether it’s eating more carb- and fat-heavy foods or eating larger portions than normal, our gut is thrown for a bit of a loop.
Refinery29 also reported that eating more carbs than usual, eating saltier foods, and traveling to warmer climates — all things that may happen on vacation — can make the body automatically retain extra water. This makes the number on the scale go up, even though your body mass doesn’t actually change.
You’re on vacation and you can’t wait to explore your destination, eat delicious local foods and see all there is to see. But then your stomach feels off. Maybe you feel full even though it’s been hours since you’ve eaten. Maybe you feel bloated, nauseated or, let’s just say it, constipated. You never feel this way at home. What gives?
If you’re feeling bloated at the end of the day, it probably has something to do with your evening eating habits. Is there anything worse than making it to the end of a long day and, just as you’re ready to relax, you realize you feel uncomfortably bloated? There are plenty of reasons you might feel bloated.
Is bloat a common thing?
Travel bloat is all too common—but it can be avoided. You know the feeling all too well: Before your trip, you feel amazing—but by the time you arrive at your destination, your stomach hurts and you’re about two seconds away from popping all the buttons on your pants.
Yes, travel bloat is no fun, but rest assured that it’s incredibly common. When you fly, the cabin pressure causes the gas inside your stomach—and therefore your stomach itself—to expand. And that’s not all: According to Monica Auslander Moreno, MS, RD, LD/N, a Miami-based registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition, …
And that’s a problem, because ” being dehydrated can cause bloating, not to mention constipation,” Moreno says. It’s hard to stay hydrated when you’re on the go, but it’s worth tracking your water intake in order to stay bloat-free.
You’re chewing gum. Though chewing gum can help you avoid the pain of popping ears during takeoff and landing, that comes at a cost. “The very act of chewing gum causes a lot of air swallowing, which can lead to bloat,” Moreno says.
According to More no, drinking anything carbonated when you travel can cause bloating—even if all you’re drinking is sparkling water. As one 2011 study published in the journal Gastroenterology & Hepatology explains, that’s because these drinks release more carbon dioxide gas into the stomach than the body can handle.
It’s fine to chew gum when you travel, but be careful not to overdo it.
But between the lack of nutritious options available at the airport and the limited time you have to eat before your flight takes off, you’re often left consuming ultra-processed foods that only exacerbate the bloated feeling.
What to eat on a flight to get rid of bloat?
Take these snacks on your next flight or road trip too. (Indulging in carbonated drinks and salty peanuts on a flight is a recipe for some serious bloat). Opt for unsalted nuts, granola, and lots and lots of water.
Instead stick strictly to water. Sip it regularly throughout your flight and immediately when you arrive at your destination.
Many people chew gum on planes to keep their ears from popping at higher altitudes. If you’re a fan of this trick, it’s important not to opt for any sugar-free gum varieties. “Sugar-free foods are made out of a non-absorbable sugar, so the bacteria [in your gut] tries to break it down and that causes a lot of gas,” says Ganjhu.
While eating high-fat, high-salt foods is often part of the travel experience, she encourages keeping your meal routine as close to the one you have at home as possible . It’s also important to pack in fiber-rich foods whenever you can. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the local delicacies (you absolutely should!).
It’s annoying, it interferes with your vacation, and it is undeniably the worst. Traveling to new environments, and eating new foods is going to shock your body, no matter what. That means bloating—or even constipation—may follow. But thankfully, there are a few precautions you can take to keep the discomfort at bay.
Sharing is caring, don’t forget to share this post with friends !
