This post about maintaining digestive health when traveling has been sponsored by Viactiv. All opinions are my own.
I’m about to start a summer of travel and I’m super excited, but sometimes my digestive system rebels from the change in routine and diet so I’m always a little bit nervous about that. Anyone who has dealt with digestive upset when away from home knows it’s one of the most unpleasant experiences… ever.
Like EVER.
So what does one do to maintain a healthy digestive system when traveling? I’m glad you asked (ok, I asked for you) because I’ve been proactively trying to prevent problems. Since what I’m doing appears to be working, I thought I’d share the what’s what.
Maintaining Digestive Health When Traveling
Eat a high fiber diet.
I know this seems obvious, but fiber is one of those things you have to work a little harder to include in your diet when you travel because many of us relax the reins and eat more processed foods, fatty foods and desserts.
Stay hydrated.
Because the humidity level of the air circulating through airplanes is so low and the oxygen is thinner, it’s very easy to become dehydrated when flying. For the best hydration, be sure to sip frequently on water throughout the flight rather than drinking it all at once.
Avoid trigger foods.
Most people have a few foods that seem to irritate the digestive system, so avoid them! As much as I love ice cream, I never eat it when I’m traveling because the risk of stomach upset is just too great.
Get moving
The initial part of traveling often involves a lot of sitting which slows the digestive process down, so when you reach your destination, be sure to get your body moving again so your digestive system doesn’t stall.
Take a probiotic-derived supplement.
It’s important to consume a diet rich in both healthy bacteria, such as a probiotic-derived supplement, and fiber, such as prebiotics. If you’re confused about probiotic-derived vs. prebiotics, you’re not alone! Probiotic-derived supplements with prebiotics provide help to fight the bad bacteria and feed the good bacteria living in our digestive tracts.
Good news; they’re both helpful to maintaining a healthy digestive system, but since traditional probiotics are sensitive to temperature and time (i.e. yogurt), they’re not as travel-friendly, so I’m opting for a supplement makes a lot more sense when traveling.
I really like Viactiv Digestive Health Chews. They’re shelf-stable so they can easily be tossed in a purse or a carry-on, and these soft chews are available in a delicious dark chocolate flavor, they’re actually fun to eat. I’ve been taking Viactiv Calcium Chews for years so I trust this brand.
I took two individually wrapped dark chocolate (yum!) soft chews each day (at separate times) over the last two weeks when I was on the road to help promote healthy, diverse gut bacteria* and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria*. Taking Viactiv Digestive Health probiotic-derived supplements helped fight against the occasional stomach upset I usually experience. I had one night where I got a few cramps after dinner, and I was a little worried, but the pains went away and the crisis was averted.
Thanks, Viactiv Digestive Health for the #ViactivGutCheck!
Each delicious chew provides 1 gram prebiotic inulin and 10 billion cells of Lactobacillus LB Fermentate+ which work to strengthen and maintain digestive health. Plus, there’s only 1 gram of sugar per non-fat chew!
For more information on Viactiv Digestive Health please visit https://viactiv.com/digestive-health/dark-chocolate-chews/ and join Viactiv on Facebook for giveaways and exclusive offers.
To try Viactiv Digestive Health, check your local Rite Aid or order on Amazon here.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
++Provides 1g prebiotic inulin per chew as supplement to your diet. Prebiotic effect is shown with 5g per day
