Flying is nothing less than an ordeal. If you do manage to survive the endless ticketing lines and metal detector probing, you are held hostage by the long flying hours. Before long, you are puking your guts out into the vomit bag, held by a smiling airhostess. Here are some tips to help you select the right things to eat, while flying.
1. Research
Most flights provide delicious meals mid-flight, to cater to one’s hunger. If you plan on having the in-flight meals, you should visit their website to find out more about their menu. Ascertain the kind of food that they provide and determine the most nutritious option of them all.
2. Cooked Meals
If you feel weary of the processed in-flight meals, you can also consider buying food from the restaurants and cafes in the concourse. Finish your meal before boarding the flight. This will keep you full throughout and also make you carry less hand-baggage to the flight. However, if you feel safe cooking your own food, make sure you pack it appropriately to eat before the flight. It is a good idea to come prepared with nutrition bars, light chocolates and biscuits, if the intended flight is of a short duration.
3. Alkalising Drinks
Chances are that once the flight is airborne, the cabin pressure might upset your acid balance. In this case carry some alkalising herbal drinks like green tea bags etc. Ask the airhostess for a cup of hot water and dip these bags to enjoy a cup of piping hot tea. These teas will help soothe the stomach and normalise the acidity and indigestion.
4. Avoid Fast Foods
Given that they taste great and are the easiest options to resort to, they are the prime reasons for air sickness, for some people. The high fat content in these foodstuffs are digested with much difficulty at higher elevations. This causes indigestion, nausea and eventually results in vomiting.
5. Avoid Alcohol and Carbonated Drinks
While some people like to have a swig of alcohol, to calm their nerves, before stepping on the flight, they remain oblivious to the fact that consuming alcohol during long flights dehydrates the body. With a lower level of water in the cells, the alcohol consumed tends to result in faster intoxication and greater hangovers. Consuming carbonated cola based drinks is another story altogether. These not only fill up the body with unnecessary sugars, but the diuretic components make one feel gassy and bloated during the journey.
Fasting during the flight is, thus, the smartest thing to do. If not, then by following the above-mentioned steps, you will be flying your way to good health.
