How to improve digestion while travelling.

Travelling can be great, whether it is a long road trip or a flight to a new or loved area, there are lots of things to get excited about when going to your destination. However, for many people, travelling can definitely make a lot of us nervous when it comes to our digestive  systems.

There are many factors that have an effect on our digestive system when travelling like long sitting times, improper sleep patterns, different time zones, plane radiation and unfamiliar foods.

I think that it's so important to have fun on your vacation and take in all the experiences that you can, and enjoy yourself! As someone who is passionate about gut and digestive health, if I  want to fully enjoy my travels, I need to make sure I'm feeling healthy and energised, and taking care of my body to avoid getting run down or ill during time away.

Here are a few things I never travel without:

Magnesium: This mineral is at the top of my list because it is  SO important for overall health. Due to soils today being depleted in this mineral, we are almost always depleted in magnesium as well. It's hard to maintain healthy magnesium levels without supplementation. 

I take magnesium throughout my travels, including before and on the plane.

The radiation from flying, various time zones, being stuck in one position can leave our body feeling very tired, light headed, bloated, and sore (many magnesium deficiency signs). Taking magnesium can really help with these symptoms.

Probiotic: When we are travelling, we are often off schedule, eating different foods and being exposed to new bacteria which can be great to strengthen our microbiome. However we are often exposed to beneficial and non beneficial bacteria and because of this, it is helpful to take a probiotic when travelling because the probiotic can help fight off the non beneficial bacteria. It is very easy for individuals with a poor immune or digestive system to catch an infection, and not know about it during their travels. Sometimes people will notice it when they return, and things are back to normal but they still “feel off”. Its also recommended to try a parasite cleanse if you are someone who has experienced food poisoning or traveller's diarrhea while travelling.

Digestive Enzymes or herbal bitters: Not only are these helpful to travel with but if you are just going to an outing and you don't know what the food situation will be, these can be extremely helpful to have. As mentioned above new foods can be a shock to the body and you can have digestive discomfort as a result. Herbal bitters or digestive enzymes help to stimulate digestion, help with nutrient absorption and will also aid in getting rid of any harmful bacteria that may be in the food.

Hydration: Always make sure to keep yourself hydrated. Sometimes it can be hard to remember to keep drinking water throughout the day when you are constantly out, but it's so needed (especially if you are going somewhere all inclusive and drinking alcohol under the sun). Not only does staying hydrated help with water retention and energy, it also helps with digesting our foods and keeping our immune system strong. I like to bring tea bags with me as they are easy to pack, and can be made hot or cold. This not only keeps me hydrated but adds extra vitamins, minerals and nutrients. I like to bring along a few bags each of ginger, peppermint, chamomile or an immune boosting blend. 

Ask about ingredients: Sometimes it can feel like a bother when asking the server about menu items and allergies, but you have a right to know what is in your food. If you are someone with sensitivities, asking what you need to ask to make the best informed decisions can make a world of difference when you are on a trip somewhere. It could be the difference of asking “what's in the food?” instead of “where is your closest washroom?

Healthy snacks: It can be easy to go through the day exploring new places and forget about eating until you have to eat something NOW. Bringing healthy snacks with you along the journey can really help to alleviate not only having to buy airport or fast junky foods but can also add more nutrients into your day.

Next time you’re travelling, I hope you take some of this information with you! If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to send me an email!