Travel and Leisure, a popular sharing platform for travel-related information, has recently revealed a list of foods to avoid for a comfortable flight.
The list includes five foods that you might want to steer clear of to avoid potential discomfort or even illness during the flight.
1. Salad
Travelers often grab a salad for a healthy meal when using airport lounges or visiting convenience stores. However, if they’re not careful, they might have to endure stomachaches and diarrhea due to the salad. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned that Leafy green vegetables and fruits can be exposed to harmful bacteria, and washing them with water does not remove all bacteria. Raw agricultural products can cause foodborne diseases like E. coli, so cooking them at high temperatures is recommended before consumption.
2. Coffee
Drinking coffee excessively can lead to frequent and inconvenient trips to the airplane restroom. Coffee is a diuretic, which means it stimulates the need to urinate. This effect is even more pronounced when you’re 30,000 feet in the air. Besides that, coffee can also trigger headaches and insomnia. Hence, experts recommend staying hydrated with water instead of coffee.
3. French Fries
Foods with high salt or spice, such as french fries, can cause excessive swelling, so it’s better to avoid them. Salty foods can cause our bodies to swell in our everyday lives. However, this phenomenon is exacerbated when we’re at high altitudes. U.S. media outlet U.S. News explained, “The decrease in pressure at high altitudes causes the gas in the stomach to expand. Furthermore, the higher the altitude, the greater the expansion”. Therefore, avoiding foods that can cause swelling is better to ensure a comfortable flight.
4. Processed meats like ham and sausage
Sandwiches are an undeniable staple among the famous food items sold at airports. However, processed meats like ham and sausage used in sandwiches can trigger stomach aches and food poisoning for the same reasons as salads. The CDC explained, “Packaged meats can harbor harmful food poisoning bacteria, and the risk increases if they are out at room temperature for a long time.” Therefore, when consuming processed meats, it’s advisable to carefully check the storage condition of the food or heat it to a high temperature before eating.
5. Cocktails
Many people enjoy starting their journeys with a cocktail or beer at the airport. However, due to the low pressure in the cabin, the body’s ability to absorb oxygen decreases, leading to symptoms of hypoxia, including dizziness. According to KLM, the Royal Dutch airline, this dizziness can be exacerbated by alcohol, potentially leading to severe headaches. Therefore, it’s advisable to limit alcohol consumption and make sure to accompany it with plenty of water if you do drink.
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