Tips for abdominal bloating caused by airplane food

By Charlotte Labee

You know that feeling of a bloated belly during and after a plane ride? This is also called a "jet belly" and is caused by our body constantly trying to adapt to the changes during a plane trip. So, airplane food is not the only cause of such a jet belly, but still it is better to leave it and replace it with something else. In this blog we explain why, and share some fine alternatives to jet food!

What causes a "jet belly"?

One of the biggest changes your body has to get used to during air travel is the shift in atmospheric pressure. No doubt you've noticed your ears pop during takeoff and landing? This is because your ear canal adjusts to the air pressure in the main cabin.

The same thing happens in your digestive system, which is one of the main causes of abdominal bloating while traveling. The air naturally present in your intestines increases and decreases to compensate for the air pressure changes in the cabin (based on the plane's altitude). So your digestion literally comes under pressure.

During flying itself, when your digestion is trying hard to adjust to the air pressure, you may not even notice. But when it's time to land, your digestion is ready to release the excess gas. If it doesn't get this chance (because there isn't an immediate restroom nearby and you don't want to let your fellow travelers in on the fun), your belly starts to swell.

So does plane food play no role at all in a bloated belly after flight?

Not quite. Because your digestion is working so hard for you during a flight, it's important to support it. Airplane food is high in salt and sugar, while your digestion needs fiber, good fats ánd a little rest.

So how do you best support your digestion around air travel? First of all, don't enter the plane with a full stomach. Your digestion is already very busy trying to balance with the air pressure. Then when it also has to digest food, this is a bigger stressor.

So in addition, airplane food contains more salt, sugar and other additives. Due to decreased cabin pressure and low humidity, we taste less during air travel, so all kinds of flavor enhancers are added to airplane food.

A good alternative is to bring your own food:

Easily digestible snacks are:

Apples with nut paste for dipping
Homemade salad with leafy vegetables
Whole wheat crackers with hummus
Handful of nuts
Handful of forest fruits

To further support your digestion, consider a pre/probiotic supplement and digestive enzymes.

Super

After a few weeks I really saw a difference but the great thing is people saw it too...my appearance has changed and I look fresher from my eyes, also my hair is fuller and grows better than before "very satisfied"

Satisfaction all supplements from Charlotte Labee

Our son (13yrs), diagnosed with ASD and High Average, takes a number of supplements from Charlotte Labee daily (after requesting personalized advice). Magnesium Taurate he takes before bed, along with pre/probiotics. We are now six months on and have seen him change dramatically since taking the supplements. He experiences more peace & space as opposed to six months ago. Stress and tension were the order of the day then. He will continue taking the supplements for a while and is very satisfied with what it is doing to him!

Charlotte labee

I have been taking fish oil for years.
Used to have a lot of restlessness with sleeping and concentration. Due to autism and that in turn was due to a food intolerance to msg mono sodium glutamate which is in at least other ingredients. Didn't know that in my childhood. Fish oil was a great savior then. Better than taking medication.
Now I eat as little msg containing producted as possible but fish oil is still faithfully in the cupboard. The only supplement I use. I also think of the environment so prefer a glass jar and cardboard box. Now another lid. Is it from good is. That hasn't been fished in a farm or with scrapping nets across the sea floor. I hope so. Anyway, my nights are peaceful and I concentrate well at work, while driving and in social settings. Thanks to good old fish oil.