Whether you are flying first class or economy, there is always one factor to level the classes — food ! Not how it is served, because we all know airline food up the front on the plane is top notch. We are talking how it affects your body, 8000 feet in the air.
When you are crammed in a small space on a long-haul flight, the last thing you want is to feel bloated and uncomfortable. Given the minimal physical activity and cabin pressure situation, there are foods that, while ordinarily good for you, don’t fly too well.
Foods to avoid:
- Cruciferous vegetables
Always eat your greens, unless you are in a plane and those greens are broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes and beans. These vegetables tend to be high in carbohydrates that cannot be broken down in the small intestines and becomes a source of discomfort once they hit the large intestines.
While chock full of vitamins is great for your everyday diet, it will lead to bloating and possibly even cramps when you are immobilised in a pressurised environment. This goes for whether they are consumed in-flight or pre-flight.
- Salty snacks
As tempting as a packet of chips may be, try to avoid snacks that are high in salt. Our tastebuds get slightly numb at high altitudes and as a result, airlines tend to heavily season their sumptuous, foil packaged meals to make them more appealing to flyers. However, all of this just encourages one thing — water retention. From there, it is just a hop, skip and jump away from a bloat.
- Caffeine
Coffee or tea? As the flight attendant comes round with the beverage cart and your destination is ages away, it is hard to resist the lure of caffeine. You should still make a solid effort to though, because coffee is dehydrating, a diuretic and messes with your sleep cycle.
This means repeated trips to the toilet and you feel sluggish upon arrival.
- Carbonated beverages
Sweetened fizzy drinks are a recipe for digestive disaster when on a plane. Most fizzy drinks are high in sugar which will also likely throw off your sleep patterns. So if you have a craving for the bubbly that you just can’t shake, go with carbonated water.
- Alcohol
Alcohol causes you to dehydrate, amplifying the pre-existing effects of dehydration in the plane cabin. So have a glass of wine (or two) to wind down, but make sure to drink at least double the amount in water.
Foods to eat:
- Lime water
Adding a slice of lime to your glass is an excellent way to refresh — and the antibacterial properties of citrus can help to relieve a sore throat.
- Protein-rich food
Pack foods that are high in protein — a mix with dried fruit and nuts, or a cold chicken sandwich. Protein-rich meals will keep you full longer so you won’t be tempted to nibble on salty snacks for the entire flight.
- Fruits
Fruits are a great source of vitamin C to boost your immune system and keep you hydrated. Oranges and watermelons are easily found in your airline prepared meals as well as around the airport.
Watermelons in particular are rich in antioxidants and full of water — a double whammy in nutrition! Three to four slices is the ideal to keep your hydration levels up during a flight. Any more than that though, may leave you on a sugar high.
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