The last thing you want before/during/after you travel is an unhealthy gut, trust us. Gut issues can happen to the best of us, but tummy trouble can be even more pronounced while on the road. When we go on vacation or travel for work, our normal routine is thrown off: we enter different time zones, eat richer, less-healthy foods, drink the local water or maybe more alcohol, and take fewer vitamins (or none at all!). Additionally, often times you are exposed to more bacteria, and different bacteria, than you are used too. This can wreak havoc on your gut, and lead to an upset stomach or diarrhea. And nobody wants to be out of commission with one of those annoying issues on when away from home, not fun. Here are some easy gut-health tips for you to follow to ensure your travel time is truly worry-free. Let’s get your gut travel ready!
Gut Health Travel Tips
Before travelling, start regularly taking your probiotic supplement, if you have not already started. A probiotic can help boost your beneficial bacteria and support your immune system to ward off any intrusive bugs you may encounter on the road. We find it helpful to invest in a pill organizer – you can load up each day’s vitamins and supplements in each of the little cubbies, then just throw it into your bag to take with you.
Another helpful tip is to watch what you eat and drink. We are all for trying local cuisine, but don’t throw all caution to the wind. If you can watch your food being made, you know that the ingredients used are (most likely) fresh. Stopping by the salad bar, on the other hand, might not be a good idea because typically these foods are washed in local water and may sit out for hours on end.
Believe it or not, there are actually some foods you can consume that have anti-parasitic/anti-bacterial properties, and they may decrease your chances of getting sick. When on the road, try loading up on garlic, fresh lemon or lime juice, chili peppers, and wasabi1.
Quick tip: it helps to have a probiotic that does not require refrigeration because you never know if your hotel room will have one. Also, a higher CFU count may be beneficial, since your gut may be under additional stress due to traveling.
Armed with these tips, you should have no problem getting your gut travel ready. Be safe, be smart, and enjoy your travel adventures!
References
This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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