Fasting While Traveling & My Top Travel Tips

• Pack a sweatshirt or blanket / scarf for the flight
• Download Podcasts & books beforehand
• Bring your own tea bags
• Bring extra phone charger pack (I love my Away luggage which has a charger in it- not sponsored, just love it)
• Bring a reusable water bottle
• Pack snacks
• Find workout classes in the area
• Live a little!
• Do research beforehand of where you want to check out
• Book reservations in advance
• Be present in current activity
• Pack light but leave space for gifts 
• If you are a nervous traveler, talk to your captain or flight attendant, they can explain why flying is actually super safe and may help put you at ease!

YOUR Top Travel Tips:

• Travel with a tide stain remover stick
• Make sure you know where to get coffee/eat when you land after a long flight.
• Pack your own snacks if not fasting
• Dropbox everything!
• Keep smiling and stay positive
• Bring an extra outfit in your carry-on, in case luggage is lost.
• Pack hand sanitizer wipes

Tips for Traveling Internationally:

• Photocopy your passport if traveling abroad
• Download google maps and bookmark locations
• Research $ situation- what credit cards are expected, if you can convert money ahead of time or not, etc.
• Adapters: For example, Morocco uses the same electrical system as Europe, 220v – make sure you have an appropriate converter for your electronics!
• Do your homework: be respectful of culture, what you can/cannot wear, etc.
• Schedule the trip with relax time included.
• Don’t be married to your schedule! Be open to meeting people, changes, etc.

Why I fast when I fly:

I started fasting while flying this year for a few reasons. Flying can be tough on our bodies. It can throw us off our routine. Our bodies are under more stress in the air and the added food can create much more work for your body to do!

Aside from dehydration, the higher cabin pressure and the sparser amounts of oxygen can really be a lot on our gut/bodies/digestion. Fasting while flying is also known to help with jet lag!

For me, after any flight, I find myself gassy, bloated, constipated and SO dehydrated — even when packing my own food. My stomach is totally off and feels beyond uncomfortable. If this isn’t you, amazing! If it is you, like so many of you messaged me saying it was, this might be something to consider trying!

Let’s Break It Down:

I feel like I need to reiterate this again: This is certainly NOT for everyone. Seriously. I get so many questions about if it’s right for YOU, and that’s where your intuition comes in and you listening to your body. If you do just fine flying, do your thing, pack snacks, enjoy! If not, read on!

So in short, it’s called intermittent fasting, which is something people do daily, when not flying, too. It can help the body with a ton of things, like giving your digestion a break, having more energy and better overall circulation, gives your detoxifying organs support and a break, reduces oxidative stress, and often can stabilize your metabolism. But again, you might not be someone this will be good for so always consultant a doctor if you have medical conditions and are unsure!

Short Flights:

Now this is more intuitive. I try to schedule an early flight and fast until I land. My stomach always feels perfect.

Long Flights:

Longer flights require more planning. I did fast on my flight home from Morocco and Italy and felt awesome. Some long flights, or flights with connections may be your exception. For example, I’m personally not going to fast for 20 hours. So recently, when I missed my connecting flight and ended up in the airport for an additional 6+ hours, I ate something bland. I was hungry and for me, listening to my body is key. Guess what? My stomach was in shambles, but you can only do so much!

My Suggestions:

• Drink LOTS of water
• Not hydrated enough? Grab a coconut water to add extra electrolytes
• Order herbal tea
• Get up and walk around
• Eye masks or face masks to hydrate the skin
• A good moisturizer

Testimonials:

“My husband recently joined the military which meant traveling back and forth to see him while he was training for several months. Until then I never flew regularly. Now we’ve moved across country from family and the frequent flying continues! I have leaky gut, hashimotos and pcos. Flying left me exhausted, my stomach a wreck, and with hung over feeling. The last trip I took I tried fasting each way and it has changed my life. I now will book direct flights whenever possible. Get the the airport early, drink tons of water, do yoga or walk around while I wait for my flight (not sit down), and not eat a single thing till I land. Then I feast on a burger (lettuce wrapped of corse?). Best routine ever and I feel great! Straight into family fun and no jet lag or sleep issues.