Travelling through airplanes is one of the fastest ways of transportation available to mankind. What makes it so popular is the spectacular views that one gets to see from their seats. However, for some people travelling through an airplane is more of a punishment because of the bloating and gas formation that they have to endure whilst flying. Mostly it's the body's reaction to the change in altitude.
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But what one eats during this time also plays a very important role in plaguing indigestion in the body of a person. Not knowing this, many people end up eating whatever is served to them and have to endure all the stomach-related problems. Next time, when one is flying, here are some tips that they can remember to avoid gut-related issues,
* Sodium Content
Sodium is one of the most common preservatives that is used in the food industry to extend the shelf life of packaged foods. It is also used in airline meals to enhance the flavour and also extend their longevity. Because of the very high sodium content, the food served in the airplane might create a disequilibrium in the body which can lead to a lot of gut issues. To avoid this problem, one can check with the airline beforehand regarding the meal and whether it is served fresh or not. If a person has doubts regarding the ingredients used in making the meal, then it is better to carry food from home.
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* Cabin Pressure
Cabin pressure is one of the most common reasons why a person feels uncomfortable in the stomach. Changing altitudes can also make a person feel as if their stomach is upset and bloated. During this time, it is best to keep drinking as much water as one can because dehydration can be even worse in this condition. The air present in the cabinet at a higher altitude is very dry and leads to a lack of water retention in the body.
* Gaseous Foods
Certain types of food lead to the accumulation of more than normal levels of gas in the body. This includes food items such as cabbages, beans, and carbonated drinks that have high levels of acids. If consumed with other ingredients that have the same nutritional profile, it can worsen the condition of a person. Also, since an air flight is mostly turbulent, a person might feel even more disturbed after eating this food. The best way to avoid this kind of feeling in the stomach is that the person must eat only healthy and fresh food. One must also avoid any kind of artificial sweeteners at any cost while flying.
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* Not Moving Enough
During long flights, a lot of people make the mistake of not moving at all and only being seated in one place. It is very important to keep the body moving, especially during a long flight. One should keep stretching their arms and legs and take a small stroll through the washroom or around the cabin every 2 to 3 hours. This can help promote better blood circulation that might be impacted due to the high altitude and also decrease the body's discomfort.
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* Avoid Too Many Spices
Eating extremely spicy food is one thing that most nutritionists tell people to avoid in day-to-day life. While being at a high altitude, a person is more vulnerable to feeling bloated. This happens because of the lack of water retention. Eating spicy food furthers inflammation in the body and expands the formation of gas. This can make a person feel extremely uncomfortable. Always choose to eat lightly seasoned food and avoid having fried food as much as possible. Too many spices in the food may also make a person feel pukish.
* Fibrous Food
This is not for everyone, but a lot of people experience a strong instigation in bloating after eating fibrous food. Other than cruciferous vegetables, most grains such as wheat,oats, and pulses are a significant source of fibre. These are generally very good for the body but take a longer time to break down and get digested. While flying, a person's body equilibrium is already disturbed and eating food that takes longer to digest can exacerbate the problem. So it is always better to avoid eating fibrous food while travelling. Instead one should have some light fruits or anything easier to digest.