Why Does Your Stomach Hurt While Traveling? Quick Gut Health Tips for Travelers
Picture this: You’re flying for a holiday reunion with your family. By the time you leave the airport after arriving at your destination, your stomach is already doing flips, and you haven’t even dug into your favorite family dishes yet. If this situation sounds familiar, here’s how you can keep your gut healthy, no matter where you are this winter. Traveling is stressful — even for your gut. Dr. Shilpa Ravella, a gastroenterologist at NewYork- Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, told Healthline, “Travel can be a hectic time … You may be eating out more and eating new foods in new locations, including more processed foods, and it’s easy to overeat in this setting, placing more stress on your digestive system than at home.” The best solution is to take things slow to avoid overeating. Not only does overeating stretch your stomach, but also “research has found that people who overeat are 10 times more likely to need emergency medical attention for food obstruction,” Dr. Ravella says. Also, even if you wake up at 4 a.m. for your first flight, don’t gulp down coffee all morning. Overconsumption Take a Break!
of beverages with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol can irritate your gastrointestinal system, especially if you already have a sensitive stomach. Instead, drink plenty of water, which can help alleviate constipation. If that’s your main concern, keep in mind that Dr. Ravella says a lack of fiber is the main reason for constipation while traveling. An easy way to avoid this is to eat whole-plant foods, even at restaurants.
Follow these tips when you need help fast. Dr. Ravella says that over-the-counter
medications, such as antacids, can help your heartburn. If you struggle with mild traveler’s diarrhea, try to keep bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto- Bismol) and loperamide (Imodium) in your carry-on, ready at all times. If your symptoms worsen into fever, bloody diarrhea, bloody vomiting, or severe abdominal pain, see a health care provider right away. Lastly, if you really want to be comfortable while traveling, it might be worth trying a magnesium (magnesium bisglycinate chelate) supplement, which has been shown to improve jet lag and promote relaxation and sleep while traveling. Best of luck!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Inspired by DreenaBurton.com
Ingredients
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour • 1 tsp baking powder • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup • 1/4 tsp molasses • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/3 cup vegan chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt. 3. In a smaller bowl, combine maple syrup, molasses, vanilla, and oil. 4. Mix the wet ingredients with the dry mixture. Mix in chocolate chips. 5. Place large spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 11 minutes.
949-945-0059 • 3
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator