Hooray for the holidays! Traveling for the holidays — not so much. Get ready for traffic, waiting in lines, flight delays, and possibly constipation. For some people, switching time zones or being away from home always upsets their digestive system. Here are some ways to keep things moving while you're on the move and ways to keep your tummy at ease.
- Pack your own snacks, and include high fiber foods such as whole grain crackers, cereal, granola bars, dried fruit, pears and apples, and nuts. Avoid bananas and dairy products since these foods can block you up.
- Thirsty? Opt for straight up water, and drink lots of it. Staying hydrated will help your body keep its natural flow.
- Medicine may be necessary. Pack some Pepto in case you have heartburn or diarrhea. If you're bloated and haven't gone to the bathroom for over 24 hours, pop some Citrucel caplets. They add bulk to your food to help you go, without causing gas.
What else can help tame your tummy? To find out read more.
- Once you reach your destination, definitely splurge on the sweets and eggnog, but don't stuff yourself silly. If your system isn't used to all the sugar, fats, and alcohol, it can really affect your stomach.
- Load up on the fresh veggies before and during dinner. They'll fill you up so you eat less food, which will help prevent that bloated feeling. Plus the fiber will help you stay regular.
- If your stomach is uneasy after eating, sip on peppermint tea or eat a ginger candy.
- Get exercise daily while on your trip. Pack some fitness gear in your suitcase, go for a walk, hit the gym at your hotel, or ski with the fam. Exercise is a wonderful way to prevent constipation.
Elizabeth Arden
Dress for Less
Calvin Klein
I almost always have stomach issues while traveling, so I like to bring Fiber One granola bars. I usually eat one before exercising or for breakfast and it's really helpful.
1Pepto, my best friend throughout the holidays...
2Mint gum is key, or mints. My gastroenterologist told me when it starts to rumble that mint helps to calm it.
3My husband always gets so constipated when we travel (I'm guessing it has to do with him not liking to drop a deuce in unfamiliar toilets), so I always pack those individually wrapped prunes because he likes them and they WORK. Trust me.
4On another note, if you're going somewhere with less-than-sanitary water (a couple of years ago, I went to Mexico for Christmas), ask your doctor for a prescription for an antibiotic like Cipro to take with you. If you pick a bug while you're down there, you can take the antibiotic to clear it up. Just be aware that it only works against bacterial infections like Shigella or campylobacter, so if it's viral or caused by a parasite like Giardia, you won't really get any relief. My mom picked up some sort of bug in Mexico and she took the Cipro and she felt a LOT better in a hurry.
5plain old coffee does the trick sometimes...
6always pack fruits and veggies for road trips or flights.
Pepto is my family's best
friend around this time of year.
7one of the things that messes up my stomach the most is the altitude when i fly. i always feel gassy (i know - TMI) when i fly and that's something that i don't look forward to for next week.
8wow I thought I was the only one who had tummy troubles while traveling. glad to know I'm not alone!
9I second the caffeine livetolove...that ALWAYS gets me moving! haha!
10Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.