Air Travel - Fly Right
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Flying overseas, or cross country can not only cause jet lag, but it can wreak havoc on your digestive system and overall health. Do you really know what you’re eating during your flight? In order to store foods, and keep them fresh for longer periods of time, there may be added ingredients you’re not aware of: salt and fat. If you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet, while flying, is there anything that you can do about it?
Some key issues to keep in mind the next time you order your in-flight meal:
-Calories: Being cramped into a tiny airplane seat for numerous hours doesn’t exactly enhance your metabolism! Calories expended during a flight will be minimal due to the lack of activity over an extended period of time. Keeping that in mind, try to avoid calorie dense foods (pastas, desserts, cream sauces, baked goods, and salad dressings.)
TIP: Call your airline at least 24 hours ahead of time, and pre-order a waist-friendly meal! Many airlines will serve “lighter” options if you ask ahead of your scheduled flight.
-Salt: Many airlines serve food that is loaded in sodium. Why? Well, it has been said that our taste buds don’t work as well at high altitudes, so the added salt is supposed to make the food more palatable. However, consuming too much sodium can lead to excessive thirst, dehydration and feeling bloated.
TIP: Avoid adding extra salt to your meal, as well as high salt foods (such as dressings, sauces, and lunch meat. ) Other high salt foods: salted pretzels, snack mix, peanuts, and tomato juice.
Medical Concerns/Allergies: The majority of airlines offer a good range of medical meals for individuals with allergies and special dietary requirements. You cannot guarantee that trace amount of a certain food is not going to find its way into another meal. If you have a severe allergy and/or medical issue, it might be best to pack your own foods that are not perishable.
General Health: If you are a frequent traveler I would advise getting a lot of fish in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help prevent deep vein thrombosis, because they stop the platelets from sticking together to some degree. Sitting for very long periods of time (such as on an airplane) can increase one’s risk of blood clots.
I would recommend that people who travel frequently look at the dietary options before they fly. Pre-order or at least choose healthy options on the flight, and make sure to include healthy snacks such as fruit, almonds, and plenty of water.
Sometimes, depending on the airport that your flight is departing from, you may find some healthier options at the vendors in the airport. Some ideas to look for: yogurts, smoothies, trail mix, salads, protein bars, water and fresh fruit.
