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Travel Without the Tummy Troubles

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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

Home Remedies: Digestive Issues

FitSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

If the four days of feasting over Thanksgiving weekend have taken a toll on your tummy, you might be interested in trying some home remedies. Prevention has created a list of tummy tamers and here are the highlights.

Ease nausea: Give frozen ginger chips a try. Make your own by infusing slices of fresh ginger in hot water. Strain the ginger and place them in an ice cube tray. When you're feeling queasy, crush the cubes and suck on the frozen pieces.

Curb flatulence: Three times a day, take two enteric-coated peppermint capsules (500 mg each). They must be coated so the peppermint can make it to your intestines. This herb will kill the bacteria in your digestive system that's causing your bloated feeling. It also has relaxing effects on your gastrointestinal muscles.

Constipation: Boil 10 grapes in six ounces of milk. Before bed, drink the milk separately and then eat the grapes.

Diarrhea: Mash bananas in white rice and eat in small amounts. The two have binding effects.

Source

Another Reason to Exercise: Relieve IBS Symptoms

FitSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

It seems like almost anyone who's ever had stomach issues for more than a week has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you've got IBS then you know it's no fun, but it's also not an excuse to skip your exercise routine. In fact, Reuters recently reported on a new study that found that regular exercise can relieve constipation and feelings of bloating in folks with IBS. So, if you're stopped up, don't stop moving — it could help more than you think.

Source

Are You "Regular"?

FitSugar — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

There are many health topics that aren't exactly considered "polite" conversation — things like spitting and sweating. One subject, not often discussed but a health indicator nonetheless, is regularity. If there is enough fiber in your diet, this might be a non-issue for you, but if your digestive health is at all funky this is something you pay attention to. With IBS and abdominal bloating, being popular topics here at FitSugar, I thought I would just cut to the chase and ask a basic question . . .Source

Are You "Regular"?

Yes, it's like clockwork with my body.

Most of the time, unless I get stressed or eat something weird.

No way, I'm always constipated.

I don't like to talk about this.

Keep It Moving While on the Move

FitSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Traveling can be rough on your daily routines, including your bodily functions. Changing times zones or just eating the processed carbs they hand out on planes these days can make it hard to keep your intestines moving. So here are some tips on how to stay "regular" when traveling.

Drink water whenever you can as your choice of beverage. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it'll also keep things moving.
When traveling, bring your own snacks. Nibble on carrot sticks, apples (with the peel), trail mix with dried fruit, LARABARS, and Go Lean Crunchy! bars. These all have tons of fiber.
During meals, make sure to include fresh salads and fruits, cooked veggie dishes, beans, and whole grains.
Pack some methylcellulose pills, such as Citrucel. They're made of 100 percent soluble fiber, so they'll help you go, and for most people, they don't cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

Source

Fiber Quiz: 3 Prunes or a Banana?

FitSugar — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:30:00 -0700

We have all had our fair share of tummy and intestinal troubles. Often we look to food to help either get things moving or to slow things down. Often it seems we need more or less fiber in our systems, so I am curious to see if you know...

Source and Source

When Traveling, Which is WORSE?

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 07:30:00 -0700

Summer is coming up, I'm sure a lot of you have big trips planned. Vacations provide a much needed break from the trials and tribulations of daily life. Whether you are vacationing for relaxation or adventure, traveling does sometimes come with interesting side effects - both known and unexpected. So I want to know...Source

When Traveling, Which is WORSE?

Jet Lag

Constipation

Full of it?

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 02:00:00 -0800

Nobody likes that full, "something's not right" kinda feeling you get when you're (uh-huh) constipated. The best way to deal with the issue is to prevent blockage in the first place, by:

Drinking plenty of water, fruit and vegetable juices, and clear soup so you don't get dehydrated.
Getting daily exercise to keep things moving right along.
Eating lots of high-fiber foods like beans, whole grain and bran cereals, fruits (like apples and oranges) and vegetables (like asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage, and carrots.

Eat the skins of your fruits and veggies whenever possible - that's where the fiber is. If you're prone to not being able to move IT, try to avoid foods that have little or no fiber like ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods.

Aim to eat 25g of fiber a day. Which should be no problem if you eat 5 servings of fruits & vegetables and 3 servings of whole grain products daily.

Fit's Tip: If you're having trouble regulating your body solely with food, give Methylcellulose pills a try, like Citrucel. They are made of 100% soluble fiber and have no awful side-effects like gas, bloating or diarrhea.