5 Foods You Should Eat When You Alight From The Plane To Fight Off Jet Lag

When you fly across time zones, you throw your normal 24-hour body clock completely out of whack, and it’s particularly tough for long-haul travellers who fly eastwards. While some people fast before and during the flight to reduce jet lag, what you eat before and after the flight can also help.

Ideally, you should think about what to eat at least 12 hours before your first morning in your new time zone. Have a light “final” meal and then let your blood sugars drop to mimic a night of melatonin-rich sleep without food. Then, eat protein for your brekkie to let your body know it’s on a new schedule, and this is the new normal.

What is melatonin?
When it comes to good sleep, it’s all down to brain chemistry, with tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin, being the three most important hormones. It’s melatonin that regulates the body clock and promotes restful sleep; it’s the hormone that goes haywire when you disrupt your body clock by changing time zones.

Reset the clock
While it might be tempting to push through with caffeine and then try to induce sleep with the help of the drinks trolley or bar fridge, you can help reset your body clock more effectively by eating light and healthily to keep your energy levels steady. You’re looking for meals that give you a good balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, and plant-based foods. And you also want to opt for foods that will help you sleep. Click through the gallery below for the five foods which can help you fight off jet lag.

Text: The Australian Women’s Weekly

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/wellness/5-foods-you-should-eat-when-you-alight-from-the-plane-to-fight-off-jet-lag/

5 Foods You Should Eat When You Alight From The Plane To Fight Off Jet Lag

1. Cherries

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Hands down, tart cherries (and tart cherry juice) are the best food sources of melatonin and even better for you than fresh cherries (although, those are still good for you). Cherries will also help with digestion that’s often disrupted by jet lag. Combine two jet lag-fighting foods (walnuts are a good source of tryptophan) in a cherry and walnut smoothie.

Photo: Pixabay

2. Bananas

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Great for both energy and for helping you to sleep thanks to potassium and magnesium, vitamin B6 and complex carbs. Contains tryptophan which ultimately converts to feel-good brain chemical serotonin and sleep-boosting melatonin.

Photo: Pixabay

3. Quinoa

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This Aztec grain is one of the only plant foods that’s a complete protein with all amino acids on board. Not only has it got a high-protein content, it’s gluten free and easy to digest, making it a perfect pick after long-haul travel. Make and pack your own chocolate, quinoa and nut bars or try buying one at the duty-free shops before boarding your plane.

Photo: Pixabay

4. Ginger

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A culinary spice with antioxidant and medicinal properties, ginger has proven to aid liver function and digestion, and is thought to lower cholesterol. A traditional travellers’ remedy for the treatment of motion sickness and nausea.

Photo: Pixabay

5. Milk and Dairy

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Sip on warm milk at bedtime post flight (just as your mother told you) for the tryptophan. Or order a more grown-up cheese plate knowing that cheese and crackers make the perfect night-time snack because it combines dairy and sleep-inducing carbs.

Photo: Pixabay

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5 Foods You Should Eat When You Alight From The Plane To Fight Off Jet Lag

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