Eat Light. Contrary to popular belief, flying on an empty stomach doesn't help you combat
Eat food that is low in sodium and fat a few hours before your flight. Skip the greasy foods that can upset your stomach on any regular day. Also, don't fly on an empty stomach. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
“The Aerospace Medical Association says our body's gas can expand up to 25 per cent while in flight. So it's better to opt for light, easy meals before boarding, especially if you have a long commute,” advises celebrity dietician Nmami Agarwal.
It's extremely important to eat a good meal before you fly. Getting on a plane with an empty stomach is guaranteed to make you feel nauseous. However, it's important to watch what you eat. Stay away from greasy, spicy, and salty foods as well as alcohol.
"Portable fresh fruits and veggies make great plane snacks," says Murrell. "Sliced cucumbers, green peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, and watermelon are all great options—they're all more than 90-percent water! These also are full of fiber so they'll keep you full and satisfied.
Eat light before you fly – both the night before and day of your flight – and pick up some crackers or other bland snacks in the airport to help in case your stomach gets upset. Stay away from greasy and spicy foods and limit your salt intake as well since flights can be dehydrating.
Air pressure in the cabin is lower than at sea level. As cabin pressure falls while flying, gas starts to expand. As a result, you may feel pressure in your stomach or digestive system. Gas and bloating are common.
Bloating after flying, also known as “jet belly” or “airplane belly”, is a common travel side effect, and most people might just try to stomach the discomfort from the added gas in your digestive system.
Drink plenty of water
The general rule is to drink little and often. Before you even step on board a plane, you should carry a large bottle of water with you. Sure, you can ask for water from the flight attendants. But, it's more convenient to have your own supply for the duration of your flight.
Just like us after a night of good sleep, airline circulation is freshest in the morning. If your flight departs in the morning, you are less likely to be affected by delays that stack up during the day and push back or cancel departure times.
Skip: Sugary foods
Lactose (in dairy products) can cause discomfort for some people, as can fructose (found in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat) and sorbitol (found in fruits like apples, peaches, and prunes and sugar-free snacks). Frequent fliers will want to know the best time to use the bathroom on an airplane.
These drugs are usually taken shortly before a flight. They include: Anti-anxiety medication, such as diazepam (Valium) or alprazolam (Xanax). Motion sickness medication, such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
All those pounds are mostly water weight. The reason for the five-pound “gain” is water retention. Not only do certain rich foods leave you retaining water, but you also have the physical weight of the excess food traveling through your system for at least 48 hours or so. Kind of gross, but it's in there!
The air pressure makes you bloated and gassy.
That lower pressure causes the gases in your gut to expand, resulting in bloating and gassiness, Dr. Movassaghi says. That can make your stomach feel uncomfortably full or crampy, or make you fart more.
Bali Belly is another name given to travellers' diarrhoea, which can be caused by consuming bacteria found in contaminated food and water. There are many online resources that list the symptoms of Bali Belly, which can include stomach discomforts like: Cramping.
Whether you are traveling by plane, train, or car, walk around a little bit every one to two hours can help prevent severe bloating. Dehydration is another factor in general discomfort. Drink plenty of water, which will not only help with jet bloat, but it can also keep your skin and eyes from feeling dry and itchy.
Your best bet is water, a light pre-flight meal, and—if you know you're highly-affected during flights—Gas-Ex, which can help if your belly starts acting up, says Dr. Sam. Also make sure to go for a walk every now and then—either to the bathroom or just down the aisle. Moving around can help keep things...well...
When you feel nausea, lean back and try not to move the head much. Always choose light foods before your flight and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid fizzy drinks and foods that can bloat you.
A lack of oxygen or the proverbial thin air, as is common at high altitudes or during flights, can trigger inflammation in the intestinal tract in people with a corresponding predisposition.