Flight diet advice from a travel expert: Timing meals wrong can lead to health issues in-flight
Let's Talk About Food on a Plane: Top Times to Stop Hitting That Snack Bar
Whether you're jetting off on a quick trip or a long vacation, the prospect of indulging in airport food and in-flight snacks can be tempting. But before you dive into that bag of pretzels or nachos, listen up! Travel expert and co-director of Cheap Deals Away, Dawn Morwood, has some strong advice to keep your digestive system in check and avoid making your holiday a misery. Here are the top times you should avoid munching on that plane:
1. Takeoff and the First 30 Minutes
When the plane starts ascending, your body faces a whole host of challenges, including changes in cabin pressure and potential turbulence. According to Morwood, this isn't the best time to eat. During this period, your gut hasn't adapted to the altitude yet, and the pressure changes can mess with your digestive system, making it tough for your body to process food efficiently.
2. Immediately After Boarding
If your plane is sitting on the runway, you might be tempted to grab a bite to eat. However, stress from the chaos of the airport and your body's high-alert state can divert energy away from digestion, leading to discomfort such as cramps or nausea. So, it's best to hang onto that snack until after your body has calmed down.
3. Late in a Red-Eye Flight
If you're a fan of red-eye flights, try to stick to your normal nightly routine as much as possible. Even if the time changes, your body will naturally wind down for sleep when midnight rolls around, and this includes your digestive system slowing down. Eating during this window can throw off your body's natural rhythm, causing jet lag and making you feel sluggish and bloated.
4. Right Before Landing
Similar to takeoff, you should also steer clear of eating before and during landing. The pressure changes and the rushed, cramped conditions can make you feel sick and put extra stress on your digestive system, leaving you feeling queasy as you prepare to disembark.
3 Tips for Eating After a Flight
If you manage to avoid the above eating times, you'll be setting yourself up for a smoother journey when you land. To ensure your holiday remains disruption-free, Morwood suggests keeping these three eating tips in mind:
1. Wait 30 minutes to an hour after reaching cruising altitude
Once your flight reaches its cruising altitude, give your body some time to adapt to the new pressure and environment. Once that happens, your digestive system can function better, and this will be the ideal time for you to enjoy your in-flight meal or snack.
2. Sync your meals with your destination's time zone
Attempt to align your meal schedule with your destination's time zone to help your internal body clock start to adjust during your flight. This trick will help make the transition to a new time zone smoother, and your digestive system will thank you.
3. Eat two hours before arrival on long-haul flights
When flying overseas, try to eat two hours before landing to allow enough time for your digestive system to process the food before you face the physical stress of landing and deplaning. This timing should help you avoid feeling uncomfortable, bloated, and stressed as you make your way through the airport to your accommodation.
If you heed Morwood's advice, you'll have a happier, healthier flight and vacation. Happy travels!
Join our mailing list for smarter living straight to your inbox!
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home, and active products from our experts. Sign up today to elevate your lifestyle!
In the context of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during travel, incorporating science-backed advice can contribute significantly to one's well-being. For instance, paying attention to meal times while flying, particularly avoiding eating during takeoff, immediately after boarding, late in red-eye flights, and right before landing, can help prevent digestive issues (health-and-wellness). Moreover, being mindful of these eating times can also contribute to overall travel enjoyment, as feeling comfortable and easing the chances of discomfort or sickness can positively impact the travel experience (lifestyle). Therefore, adhering to such advice can prove beneficial in terms of health as well as enhancing travel experiences (science).
