Do you know that feeling of a bloated stomach during and after a flight? This is also called a "jet belly" and is caused by our bodies constantly trying to adapt to the changes during a flight. So airplane food is not the only cause of a jet belly, but you should still avoid it and replace it with something else. In this blog, we explain why, and share some great alternatives to airplane food!
What causes a 'jet belly'?
One of the biggest changes your body has to get used to during a flight is the shift in atmospheric pressure. You've undoubtedly noticed your ears popping during takeoff and landing, right? This is because your ear canal adapts to the air pressure in the main cabin.
The same thing happens in your digestive system, which is one of the main causes of bloating during travel. The air naturally present in your intestines increases and decreases to compensate for changes in cabin air pressure (based on the plane's altitude). So, your digestion literally comes under pressure.
During the flight itself, when your digestion is working hard to adapt to the air pressure, you might not even notice it. But when it's time to land, your digestive system is ready to release the excess gas. If it doesn't get this chance (because there's no toilet nearby and you don't want your fellow passengers to "enjoy" it), your belly will swell.
Does airplane food play no role at all in a bloated stomach after a flight?
Not entirely. Because your digestive system is working so hard for you during a flight, it's important to support it. Airplane food contains a lot of salt and sugar, while your digestion needs fiber, good fats, and a little rest.
So, how do you best support your digestion around a flight? First of all, don't board the plane with a full stomach. Your digestion is already very busy maintaining balance with the air pressure. If it also has to digest food, this is a greater stress factor.
In addition, airplane food contains more salt, sugar, and other additives. Due to the reduced cabin pressure and low humidity, we taste less during a flight, so all sorts of flavor enhancers are added to airplane food.
A good alternative is to bring your own food:
Easily digestible snacks include:
- Apples with nut butter for dipping
- Homemade salad with leafy greens
- Whole-wheat crackers with hummus
- Handful of nuts
- Handful of berries
To further support your digestion, you can consider a pre/probiotic supplement and digestive enzymes.
