Traveling during the holiday period from April 30 to May 1, which lasts for five days, is a common practice among families and groups of friends. However, changes in eating habits and mealtimes while traveling can cause digestive issues such as bloating, heartburn, diarrhea, and food poisoning.
Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi, points out some common mistakes made when traveling. One of them is eating unhygienic food at restaurants that do not follow food safety standards. This can spread bacteria and toxins that can lead to digestive problems. Consuming new and unfamiliar foods may also result in allergies.
To avoid gastrointestinal issues when traveling, it is recommended to choose restaurants that prioritize food hygiene and safety, avoid dishes that may cause allergies and stick to familiar options. It’s also important to drink enough water as not doing so can lead to dehydration especially when traveling in hot weather or consuming alcoholic beverages. Dehydration can cause digestive issues such as constipation, bloating and indigestion.
Another mistake travelers often make is not maintaining a balanced diet while away from home by consuming excessive amounts of meat, sweets and greasy fried foods which disrupt the nutritional balance of food groups leading to bloating, indigestion and constipation. Carbonated drinks are also often consumed while traveling causing discomfort, bloating and fatigue due to increased blood sugar levels.
To prevent gastrointestinal issues when traveling it’s essential to eat cooked and boiled foods, drink plenty of water and balance food groups in meals. Avoiding foods that cause bloating before traveling, limiting alcoholic drinks and carbonated beverages and preparing for motion sickness can also help maintain digestive health while on the go. Finally ensuring adequate rest managing stress levels