You’ve looked forward to this vacation for the last six months. You’ve landed and you’re ready to start exploring!
Two days later, your stomach lets out a grumble that would intimidate even Mount Vesuvius and you’re about to erupt.
Traveler’s stomach can ruin even the best of vacations, but it doesn’t have to ruin yours.
Here are seven tips for keeping traveler’s stomach at bay.
1. Know What Triggers Your Tummy
While the human body is resilient, our gut bacteria is surprisingly vulnerable. It doesn’t take much to send our system out of whack.
This is where past experience comes into play. Know what types of food and drink most often upset your stomach. Whenever possible, avoid these trigger foods while traveling.
2. Stick to Your Regular Routine
We aren’t kidding when we say gut bacteria are fragile. So much so that eating at a different time can result in an upset stomach.
If you’re traveling to an area in a different time zone, you won’t have a ton of control over this. Still, do your best to adhere to the same meal schedule you keep at home.
3. Ensure That All Food Is Cooked Properly
Every region has its unique cuisine. Some regions even eat raw or undercooked foods.
By all means, sample the local cuisine. But do so sparingly, as raw foods are a breeding ground for bacteria.
Stick to fully-cooked meals as often as possible.
4. Skip Medicine Unless Necessary
Avoiding constipation or diarrhea seems simple enough. Just bring some medicine and you should be good to go, right?
Well, you might want to hold off on that, especially when it comes to antibiotics.
Dr. Todd Watts from Microbe Formulas says in the article “Restore Gut Health: Fix Diarrhea, Constipation, and Bloating” that 30 percent of the human population experiences loose stools during or shortly after taking at least a full course of antibiotics.
5. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is so important, especially during travel.
If you’re dealing with a bad case of traveler’s tummy, there’s a good chance you’re struggling with dehydration, too.
Diarrhea causes your body to lose fluids at a dangerous rate. Likewise, dehydration is often one of the leading causes of constipation.
6. Eat Lots of Fiber
The more fibrous fruits and veggies you get into your diet, the better. Adding a little extra fiber to your diet when you travel can help mitigate digestive troubles.
Just make sure to rinse and clean all fruits and vegetables before chowing down.
7. Research Your Destination
As strange as it might sound, your destination plays a crucial role in your avoidance of digestive disaster.
According to the CDC, traveling to certain regions poses a greater threat to gut bacteria. Areas like Asia, Africa, Mexico, and South America rank among the top destinations where travelers reported falling ill.
That isn’t to say you shouldn’t go to these areas. Just make sure to do some extra prep beforehand.
Don’t Let Traveler’s Stomach Ruin Your Vacation
Nothing ruins a vacation faster than a bad case of traveler’s stomach. But by following these tips, you should be fine.
Stay hydrated and have a blast!
Looking for more health advice? Keep browsing our blog for plenty of other helpful articles!
