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DIET TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
Airline food is notoriously salty,
which is just what you must avoid in order to reduce dehydration. Order
a low-salt meal from the airline by phone several days prior to your
flight. Eating a salt-free meal will keep water retention at a minimum.
Meal choices vary from airline to
airline, but alternative options almost always include vegetarian, low
salt, and kosher options. In addition, you may be able to request vegan,
Hindu, high-fibre, or gluten-free meals, among others. Many passengers
not on restricted diets order these meals, as they are usually made
with more care than the standard fare, and often are tastier.
The best advice for air travel is to
pack your own lunch. Airport food is unreliable, and you may not be
able to find food that fits into your plan. By bringing your own food
you will have a healthy and nutritious meal to tide you over until you
get to your destination. Depending on the length of your flight, pack
a wholemeal sandwich filled with protein, an apple, a bag of almonds
or other unsalted nuts. Even if you order the standard
airline meals, you then have a choice to substitute the inevitable white
bread roll, cake or sugary pudding with a healthier alternative.
If you have diabetes or hypoglycaemia,
or have a tendency for anxiety or alcohol cravings, then always carry
some food with you, even if you expect to be given a meal on the plane.
For example if your flight were to be delayed for three or four hours
and dinner ends up being served very late, anyone with diabetes or suffering
from hypoglycaemia would be badly affected. To avoid such crises, it
is a good idea to take along some health energy bars, fruit, or a sandwich.
If you are heading for a destination which does not allow the importation
of any food, then you can either make sure that you have eaten all your
provisions before you disembark, or leave the uneaten food behind in
the plane.
Before, during and after travel, seek
out fibre-rich foods. Eat oatmeal, dried prunes, figs and fruit and
raw veggies to relieve the bane of travel - constipation. Additionally,
take 2 capsules of
Psyllium
Plus per day, with a large glass of water.
Drink plenty of water. Airplanes are
bone-dry and all travel is dehydrating. Get at least six to eight glasses
(count them) of water daily to stay regular, hydrated and energized.
The frequent trips to the toilet will help you get exercise.
Limit your alcohol - it's dehydrating
and unbalances blood sugar levels.
If flying on planes gives you excess gas,
reduce your discomfort by avoiding gas-forming foods or liquids before
taking a flight. Common offenders include excess fruit, especially melon,
beans and pulses, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, carbonated drinks and
fatty foods. Chewing gum also causes gas due to the swallowing of oxygen
with increased saliva. |
TIP:
Psyllium Plus
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EXERCISE
Get physical. Instead
of sitting the whole time waiting to board, take the opportunity
to get up and walk around. Some airports have gymnasiums, and
there may be a facility to have a chair massage. You'll feel
more relaxed and less confined.
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At take-off start intermittent deep
breathing, continuing it at intervals during the entire flight. It will
help relax you and in turn keep muscles from cramping.
Exercise on and off throughout the
flight. Work lower leg muscles and feet when seated by keeping the toes
on the floor and tightening the muscles on the back of your calf. Hold
this position for a moment. Then reverse the position. With your heels
back on the floor, flex your feet upward. Tighten the shin muscles and
hold for a moment. This helps blood circulate. Repeat the two exercises
several times every hour if you're not sleeping. Also tighten and loosen
your abdominal and gluteal muscles several times each hour.
In your seat you can do head and neck
stretches rotating the head slowly from side to side dropping it forward
and back. Out in the aisle you can touch your toes and turn the top
half of your body sideways and backwards.
In between eating, exercising and sleeping,
don't forget to walk as often as possible. A few spins around the cabin
will help circulation. Activity, even at 35,000 feet, is the key to
feeling fit.
Even during long flights, don't be
tempted to sleep the whole time. Exercise will help prevent DVT.
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TIP:
Pack
a skipping rope or some light weight exercise aids in your suitcase,
for use in your hotel room. Or make use of the hotel gym if possible.
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GENERAL COMFORT AND WELLBEING
Virgin Atlantic Airways' first-class passengers
may be treated to free massages - with an option for aromatherapy -on
most of the airline's transatlantic flights and at its lounge in London's
Heathrow Airport. It's good to take advantage of this.
Wear loose, layered clothing
for long trips. There's nothing
more uncomfortable than tight
waistbands, tight underwear,
or clothing that's too heavy.
You can use a blanket if you're
cold, but without layers you
have nothing to shed if you're
too warm. For foot comfort,
bring a pair of slipper socks.
Some international airlines
supply them, but to be certain,
bring your own. On a long distance
flight, remove your shoes and
wear slipper socks (on top of
compression stockings for prevention
of DVT).
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