Long haul flights are already uncomfortable and you do not want to make it worse by having a unsettled stomach (hence we made a list here of the 10 foods to avoid before flying). So what can you eat, you ask? Here are the 10 foods you should eat before flying and on board a plane, so you land bright, healthy and cheery at your destination:
Text: Sean Tan
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We warned you about avoiding apples before flying, but oranges on the other hand is a good fruit to eat before boarding your flight. Not only are oranges packed with vitamin C to boost your immunity at high altitudes, but the juice provides you with hydration. Eat one or two or drink a glass of orange juice before boarding.
If foods high in fat and sodium like fast food, burgers and chips are out, what can you eat to avoid being famished while waiting to board the plane? The smart move is to go for lean protein. Try a salad with lean meat like this Orange Chicken With Watercress And Grapefruit Salad before your flight.
Our recommendation is to stay off all sodas and soft drinks before and during your flight. A glass of smoothie before your flight boosts your vitamin C intake and provides added hydration. Make sure not to have added sugar in your smoothie (you do not want a sugar rush on board a plane!), and have just fresh fruit, yoghurt and ice cubes or coconut water for your smoothie. Try this Antioxidant Boost.
The dangers of flying for many is that you tend to nibble non-stop on the plane due to boredom and being peckish because you are surrounded by people munching around you. Pack raisins with you (they are available in small travel packs, or you can keep them in Ziploc); they make a healthier snack packed with nutrients like B vitamins, iron and potassium – better than that packet of potato chips they serve on board!
Salted packets of peanuts served on most flights are also something to watch out for. You will do better by bringing your own pack of unsalted and unflavoured nuts so they do not load your body with unnecessary salt or oil. We like cholesterol-free cashews (choose the raw, unsalted variety) which make a healthy snack.
Remember mum is always asking you to drink more herbal tea? You should… especially if you are going on a long-haul flight. Herbals teas give you a boost of antioxidants and some like chamomile can soothe your stomach. If you are always nervy before a flight, a herbal tea can also help calm you down (try mint teas also). Whichever tea you choose, make sure it’s caffeine-free. And of course, avoid coffee at all costs before and during your flight.
Yoghurt has the power, thanks to probiotics, to rebalance your gut health (something which goes off when you are stuck in cramped spaces at a high altitude). Have one before your flight to aid your stomach’s digestion.
We cannot rave enough about this power fruit. It’s cheap, easily available, can be conveniently packed in your bag and comes loaded with lots of minerals and vitamins. It is also high in potassium which is known to help your muscles relax, so it can help you rest better in cramped flight seats.
This easy preparation (consisting of cut lemon or lime slices in water) can be made ahead and brought to the airport in a bottle. Drink it to hydrate your body before you board your flight. When you are on board, ask for a bottle of mineral water instead of going for that glass of wine, no matter how tempting it may be. Remember: The key to a comfortable flight is giving your body adequate hydration.
A study made by the British Association for the Advancement of Science found that eating chocolates could help prevent deep vein thrombosis, the so-called “economy class syndrome”. This is due to the rich flavonoids found in dark chocolates, which can have “positive cardiovascular effects on the body, and may even contribute to a lower risk of blood clots”. So load up on a bar or two of dark chocolates before you fly!