What’s the first thing you think of when you correlate healthy guts and travel? Yup, traveler’s stomach. It can range anywhere from bloat, to constipation, to well.. the complete opposite.
My stomach today is 90% healed since my parasite and digestive malabsorption, but I am still extra careful when I travel. It took me a few times to figure out what worked, especially on international travel, but I have finally found a good plan of action. Now, everyone’s stomach is different so my plan might not work for you, but hey, at least you know.
Good Gut Travel Tips (My stomach’s best):
- If I am traveling early in the morning, I don’t eat anything before a flight. But I drink. A juice or a smoothie. Low Lactose.
- I don’t eat a lot of veggies or salad when traveling. Nope. Can’t do it. The only veggie I travel with are baby carrots or cucumber. And I usually bring almond cheese with me.
- I buy a kombucha at the airport. Then sip on it as soon as I land. I avoid carbonated drinks when I travel. Lots of water with my favorite LEMON packet added.
- I snack on small nutrients foods, not heavy meals. Larabar, nuts, Jay Robb protein Bars, rice crackers, almond butter. I wish I could do quest bars but it’s way too much fiber for my gut.
- I bring my protein. Yup, I bring an empty bottle, fill it with water when I get there and then add in my protein powder. Sometimes I add it to a lactose free organic yogurt, just depends on what I can get through security. I usually sip on this drink during flight with a banana. No other fruit. Apples and stone fruit are high in fructose and do not settle well in my stomach while traveling.
- I double up on my probiotics/colostrum. Remember this post?
- If I have access to a kitchen upon arrival, I will make an inside tract smoothie the morning after my travel. My friend (and brilliant RD) Mel shared this recipe with me a few years ago. It’s great for restoring that gut!
It may not be strange to bloggers, but trust me, I get strange looks from others when I make it. Haha. 
Oh, I almost forgot…
Sometimes you just gotta relax rather than worry about the gut, yes? That’s when I kiss that travel gut plan good bye and order a mini wine and gluten free snack plate. Ahh..so divine!
So there you have it, gutsy tips on a travel Friday. This afternoon I land in Boston, will meet up with the Kiwi Cotter, then go eat home made pizza with this amazing Blend (Jess) and this amazing Blend (Jolene.) Did I mention I get to stay with one of them (Jolene)? Yes, so thankful for them both!
Saturday we drive to Maine for the race. It may be gutsy to follow our dreams, but hey, we’re just listening to our gut. No matter what, God has a plan.
Our friend Lori texted this quote to both me and the kiwi. It resonated with me, more so now than ever!
“Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”
– William A. Ward (Inspirational Writer)
Do you have a happy gut travel plan?
Cheers,
LC
I get the strangest looks. Protein powder always some with me too. I’ll add it to oats in the airport (from home with hot water from a coffe stand, or plain ordered from Starbucks) and in hotels from the breakfast bar.
Love that, so smart!!
Glad I’m not alone!?
I actually eat a ton of veggies when I travel to help keep things moving. I am just really careful about almost over hydrating and still taking all the probiotics, digestives that help my tummy
Love that!
I’m happy to hear your gut has healed so well by now, Lindsay! Your travel program sounds amazing! I don’t have an elaborated program like that, but I also don’t travel often. However, I’ve identified some things – for instance, cooked (and preferably warm) is key for me, so I’m usually the one with the big extra food bag. 😀 Cucumber is the only vegetable I tolerate well in raw state, tomatoes I’ve found to best stay away from (boo 🙁 ), same with bell pepper. I don’t tolerate juices and smoothies very well because they give me bloating and make me hungry. My digestive system is even more sensitive when I travel, probably because going from A to B means extra stress for me.
Yay for Jolene!
These are great tips, LC. My stomach always acts weird when I travel- the rest of the time it’s usually just fine! Maybe TMI- but I can never seem to go to the bathroom when I travel. Lindsay Wright and I bonded over that at Fitbloggin’ last year 😉
Oh yes, been there too. I always carry smooth move tea, just in case. Actually, i told lindsay to get when she traveled. LOL! By the way, i totally didn’te recognize the new name until now. LOVE IT!
I also have a very sensitive gut and always have issues whenever I travel. I will have 1 cup of coffee to get things moving, drink a ton of water, and bring simple food (carrots, lara or kind bars, bake my own protein muffins, nuts) to eat. Since I am gluten free/dairy free, most restaurants in the airport cannot accommodate my diet so I end up snacking all day. Have you ever had an issue with TSA? The last time I flew, they gave me the hardest time with my cooler and took my unopened sunbutter! I will definitely save this for my next trip! Good luck to your hubby this weekend!
we might be tummy twins!
Have fun!
And good luck to the mister 🙂
thank you friend! miss you!
Great tips Lauren. I definitely eat differently when I’m traveling, but try really hard not to. I actually try to eat MORE veggies and fruits (low fodmaps of coursE) just to keep myself regular. I also try to drink as much water as possible, and carry yogurt for good bacteria. I’ll have to keep that smoothie in mind next time!
hehe you mean lindsay?
Oh goodness!!! Sorry Lindsay!! I had just read a blog written by Lauren and that “l” name was still on my brain!!!
haha no prob! I’ve done that before.
When I travel, you better believe I only eat animal protein and bring HUGE BOTTLES of digestive enzymes and probiotics!!! I don’t need to have a stomach attack – they happen to me so frequently thanks to everything being contaminated out at restaurants, that I don’t need to make anything worse with veggies and no enzymes!
we can be travel buddies, k?
Ugh. Traveling just messes me up completely. These are great tips; metally filing away for my next traveling week…
let me know how it goes! really!
I haven’t had much trouble with my tummy & traveling since eliminated/greatly reduced dairy. Before then it could be an uncomfortable experience (sometimes for everyone involved ;)). Good luck to my favorite Kiwi this weekend!
You are your husb are quite the inspiration when it comes to following dreams!! I just adore you two. I hope you have a blast on this mini vacation! Even though it’s still work for you, try to have some fun!! (I know you will!)
that means so much brittany! thank YOU!
Great post Lindsay!!!! Did you know Boston was where I was born & still have relatives there!! Lived outside of it but born there – AND hubby’s sis is in Maine!!!!!! Where is the race?
Have fun!!!!
You have absolutely learned what works best for you – these tips are invaluable and tried and true!! I am so glad that you have gotten mostly past the parasite and are healing and fueling and ON YOUR WAY HERE!! 🙂 I am praying for you always, and am so excited to share in this weekend with you. I love that quote Lori texted to you and it is so true. you two are so strong, and I have such faith for you both this weekend!!
I always bring protein with me and drink more water than usual. I get really nauseated when travelling!
This was a great read! I like all of your tips, too! I am also really happy to hear that your gut is 90% healed! Boo yah!!!
Great tips! I think the first step is just being conscious. You have to be mindful if you are prone to issues.
I, too, enjoy a glass of wine on certain trips. For example, after a solo trip to visit my crazy family, I ALWAYS enjoy some white wine in the terminal prior to boarding. Must decompress.
Lastly, good luck to you and the Kiwi this weekend. Just keep following those big dreams. I love your amazing support of his dreams and you two are a power couple in only the best ways. I’ll be thinking of you!
Great tips!! Have fun this weekend!
This is a great post. I am backpacking through europe for a month (2 weeks in right now), and you better believe I’ve had my fair share of gut issues. 🙁 It hasn’t been feasible for me to take care of my guts during this trip, but once I get home, I know I will appreciate proper nutrition even more than prior to my travels!
oh i’ve done that. Enjoy! and you’ll get that gut happy again. xxoo
Good tips! I should be more conscious of what I eat when I travel. Good luck to the hubs this weekend! 🙂
thanks friend! I’ll tell him!
I’ve not really travelled by plane much (only twice), but when I did I just made sure I had packed triple the food I thought I’d want to snack on while travelling (just in case!). I’ll have a bit of a learning curve with this, if I ever start travelling more!
I used to get the worst stomach pains during long car rides when I was younger. Since I started driving, I don’t get them anymore probably because I know I am in control and my mind is on something else. I know half of the time, my anxiety would make my stomach 10xs worse so it’s best just to sit back and relax!
relaxing, yes, that’s HUGE. easier said than done, but can be done!
My stomach feels the same way. I try to pack everything I can to keep it happy and drink lots of water… but h2o means plane bathroom breaks, which I hate but just gotta suck it up! Safe and happy tummy travels 🙂
haha sitting on the isle right now!
I don’t travel a ton so I usually don’t have to worry about this. BUT I am flying to Virginia Beach next weekend for a race and time with friends so I NEED a happy gut, I will be using some of these tricks for sure!
Good luck to the hubby on his race!
good luck in Virginia!! Report back, k?
First of all, you are ridiculously gorgeous. Second of all, I love this post! I definitely get bloated and gassy when I fly and it isn’t fun. It’s definitely smart to figure out what works for you and then stick with that. For me, the most important thing is chugging water. Hence, why I always try to get the aisle seat ;).
oh you are kind, thank you. and p.s. I’m sitting in the aisle now, phew!
I’ve never really put a plan in place for myself, but I do try to make sure I drink LOTS of water and healthy snacks. I find myself feeling bloated easily if I’m not careful! Great tips!
i agree, not fun swelling up. haha
interesting I actually eat a ton of veggies when I travel to help keep things moving. I am just really careful about almost over hydrating and still taking all the probiotics, digestives that help my tummy
oh you are lucky! I’d be in the bathroom all flight. LOL!
I always try to eat as normal as possible when traveling. Usually that means renting a condo on vacation so that I can cook what I like!
Best of luck this weekend and enjoy the nice, cool break that Maine will give you!
oh yes, condo’s are a life saver! Thanks for the well wishes, the kiwi needs them!
I love all of these! Totally not strange to me but I know all of the other travellers are staring at you. I get the strangest looks. Protein powder always some with me too. I’ll add it to oats in the airport (from home with hot water from a coffe stand, or plain ordered from Starbucks) and in hotels from the breakfast bar. Soooo much better than their nasty powdered eggs.
Good luck this weekend!!!
you are a pro!! We would have fun traveling together. ahh, someday!
My sister has to be super careful like that before traveling. Makes me kind of sad that you, she, others have to be so vigilant and can’t always just sit back and enjoy. BUT I know you’re going to enjoy meeting up with Jess and Jo. I so wish I could be there!
wish you were coming!! Oh and gosh darn it, i need to email about Branson. SHEESH! Are you guys around Sept. 22??
Love these tips! My gut is really stubborn and it makes me crazy. Drinking water like a mad cow helps a lot. If the flight is short, I don’t eat at all, I only drink. And I smack more when I travel, I try to avoid huge meals. Oh, and a glass of good champagne never hurts! 🙂
My stomach definitely doesn’t share my love of travel… I wish I could leave it at home 😉 But some things that work for me are WATER, simple veggies, regular snacks to keep the hunger at bay, and coffee. Always, always coffee.
I have a super sensitive stomach sometimes (especially when I travel — I think it’s just nerves), so these are some great tips!
Good luck on race day!!! 🙂 I am lucky to not have toooo many stomach issues when traveling, which is a very good thing because I like trying local things on vacation. Try all the foods! haha
have fun traveling! great tips. i always bring along peppermint tea too.
Such great gut travel tips! Thinking of you guys this weekend… hope it all goes well!
Great tips! I always struggle with this. I bring my powdered greens, a small Rubbermaid bottle of ACV, LOTS of probiotics, veggies, dates, and sometimes even my small French Press! (Coffee helps getse moving in more ways than one, hehe!)
Have so much fun. I’m jealous! And thinking of you both this weekend xoxo
Portable snacks are always my go to when traveling. Fruits/veggies usually don’t travel well. I never thought about a protein smoothie. Good idea!
it’s a life saver!
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who can’t handle loads of veggies while traveling. Always causes potty issues for me. Lovely, huh?
steamed spinach in a smoothie?! that’s a new one to me! why does that make a difference vs. fresh or frozen? i’m always learning from ya, girl!
Packing up for Disney – we bring a TON of our own food – makes life easier 😉
Lots of water. Small snacks & protein smoothies!
you are my tummy twin!