22 Published Mar 08, 2019, Updated May 07, 2024 Last time I traveled to Austin, Texas back in December I shared about my travel bloat on Instagram and so many people replied saying that they struggle with the exact same symptoms. It honestly made me feel less alone, but I was surprised that travel bloat is so common. With that in mind, I knew I needed to get to the bottom of why travel bloat is a thing and share some tips for how to combat it.
Why do we bloat while traveling?
Here’s a photo of my bloated belly the night I arrived in Austin, TX. I looked 4-5 months pregnant and I was in a ton of pain. I’ll be honest, even when I pack my own snacks and get up and move mid-flight, I still bloat pretty bad. So what did I try? What works? Let’s break it down.
Things I’ve tried to combat travel bloat
On our last trip, I was so uncomfortable the first day we arrived that I went to several gas stations looking for Beano or Gas-X. To be honest, I was looking for anything that would provide relief. None of the stores we went to carried gas relief options, which is probably just as well because I’ve tried Gas-X in the past and it didn’t seem to do much for me. After dealing with a significant amount of gas pain the first night, I made a special trip the straight to Whole Foods to stock up on all the gas and bloating remedies I could find. Here’s what I tried on this particular trip: GAIA Herbs Rapid Relief Gas & Bloating. I had high hopes for this because it said rapid relief, but to be honest I didn’t feel 100% rapid relief. It did make me burp a ton, which was a good sign that my body was getting rid of the extra air. I’ll admit burping in public is less embarrassing than tooting so that was a plus! Kor Shots Black Magic Charcoal – This little shot seemed like a good fit because it has charcoal, which is supposed to help with gas. I didn’t mind the taste, but I honestly didn’t see any relief after taking this. (This product is no longer available on their website.) Traditional Medicinals Tea – I tried both the Gas Relief and Weightless Cranberry. These felt soothing while drinking them, but I didn’t notice immediate relief. Homeopathic Remedies
Carbo vegetabilis 6C – relieves bloating and gas in the stomach (under the navel) with belching. Dissolve 5 pellets under the tongue every hour. Decrease frequency with improvement.Lycopodium clavatum 6C – relieves discomfort and indigestion, with gas and bloating around the waist (above the belt), especially after eating onions or garlic. Dissolve 5 pellets under the tongue every hour. Decrease frequency with improvement. This is the one I purchased at Whole Foods and, in retrospect, I probably should have picked up the carbo vegetabilis instead.Cinchona officinalis 30C or 6C – relieves exhausting, painless diarrhea with bloating of the abdomen and foul-smelling gas in both the upper and lower digestive tract. Dissolve 5 pellets under the tongue after each bowel movement. Decrease frequency with improvement.
What works to combat travel bloat?
So as you can probably tell, I definitely don’t have all the answers and I still struggle with travel bloat, but I have done quite a bit of research and have some good tips to share. Hopefully, these tips will help all of us! Hydrate Drink lots of water! I always travel with a water bottle so I don’t have to pay for expensive airport bottled water. Most airports have water fountains or water bottle stations. If all else fails, you can always ask for a cup of water at any of the airport restaurants. Added bonus: If you’re staying hydrated, you’ll likely have to go to the bathroom at least once during your travels, which will get you moving a bit more. Get Moving While you’re on the flight, once the seat belt light turns off, stand up and do a couple of laps. I know this can feel a little weird, but if needed you can just pretend you’re going to the bathroom. Once you land at your final destination, put on your walking shoes and get in some steps. Not only is it fun to explore, I find that going on a walk or run gets my digestive system working and gets things moving. . . if you know what I mean. Sleep To be honest, this is my ride or die suggestion. I know it can be hard when traveling, but I’ve found that letting my body and digestive system rest while sleeping is the key to having the gas and bloating dissipate. Sleeping always helps with bloating and gas for me. Let It Rest If you’re like me, you might think that adding more to your digestive system will help with pain. I’ve done this so many times and have finally come to the conclusion that adding more food rarely helps! I’ve found that not eating anything actually helps the most. Fasting before and during flying is a tip I’ve heard people swear by. I haven’t tried this one 100%, but I might try it next time I fly and report back. Stay tuned 😉 Essential Oils There are a lot of essential oil brands that have digestive support blends. I have DigestZen by DoTERRA, but have heard great things about Gutzy by Saje Natural Wellness as well. I gently massage this blend on my belly and it does offer physical relief and a nice cooling sensation. I forgot to bring this blend with me last time I traveled, but I am certainly adding it to my packing list next time I fly. Avoid Certain Foods If you know there are specific foods that cause gas or bloating, be sure to avoid them before flying. Some top offenders include beans, dairy, broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous veggies. Carbonated drinks also make this list because the bubbles can cause bloating. I love sparkling water, but I try to stick with still water when I’m traveling. Some good travel snacks include protein-rich foods like grilled salmon or chicken and veggies like cherry tomatoes, carrots and celery. I like bringing a bag of chopped veggies with me along with a protein bar (RXBARs are my fav at the moment). Bananas are another great option! Avoid Gum A lot of people chew gum while flying to help with the pressure change, but it’s not recommended because most gum is sweetened with artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols that cause digestive issues (such as gas), and you’re likely unintentionally swallowing air, which can led to gas and bloating as well. Have you ever experienced bloating while traveling? Do you have any go-to tips that you use to combat travel bloat? Let me know in the comments.
