Things You Can Do To Stay Healthy While Traveling

Written By Contributor Sheri Curry

There is nothing more important than to start your day off right with a good breakfast.  Make sure that you eat breakfast early, keep it light, healthy and easily digestible like oatmeal or yogurt and fruit. 

Get up early enough to have a cup of warm water with lemon.  It is the perfect start to your day with many known health benefits including strengthening your immune system. You will feel rejuvenated and re-hydrated, something that coffee is unable to accomplish.  Don’t forget to take your vitamins.  Along with my Multi-Vitamin I take 2000mg of Vitamin C a day; and rarely does a road warrior’s diet include fish three times a week, so taking an Omega-3 supplementation is highly recommended. You should also consider taking probiotics for your digestive health.

Drink plenty of water and stay clear of sugary drinks, alcohol and coffee.  Instead grab a bottle of water and add one E-boost packet to it; they are full of Vitamins, B12, Vitamin C & other immune boosting properties that will keep you awake and refreshed.  

What’s worse than getting sick while traveling?  MRSA, flu, and the common cold are all avoidable if you take a few precautions.  Travel with portable liquid hand sanitizer or wipes.  Wash your hands frequently and keep your hands away from your face.  Schedule a visit with your doctor about 4-6 weeks prior to your trip for a pre-travel consultation.  Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website and check for vaccine requirements and recommendations for your destination.  Understanding the health risks and ways to prevent becoming infected are the best way to keep you healthy during travel.

Do your body a favor and say no thanks to airline meals and avoid fast food at all costs.   In 2010, USA Today reported that many meals served on airlines were prepared in unsanitary and unsafe conditions that could possibly lead to illness.  This report caused the FDA to take notice and inspect the conditions of where these meals were prepared.  Their findings were sickening:  rodents, roaches and other pests, employees with unclean hands handling food and otherwise unsanitary conditions.

There are so many things that your body has to deal with when flying: germs, radiation, lack of fresh air, etc.  So, instead of eating unhealthy and processed foods, try eating as light and healthy as possible.  Consider packing goodies from home to take with you on your trip, fresh fruit and almonds are easy to   travel with. Your taste buds and stomach will thank you.