6 Foods to Avoid Before Flying

Because of the limited space in plane seats, many of us will eat before our flights. Nobody wants to deal with feeling even more cramped while trying to eat. Sometimes, it’s just efficient use of our time after we have cleared TSA and have to wait for boarding. Whatever the reason, not all foods are created equal and there are foods to avoid before flying.

Fried Foods

Who doesn’t like French fries? They’re a fan favorite and readily available in most airport eateries but avoiding them may be wise. Fried foods are usually high in fats and oils that can cause indigestion. They’re often usually high in sodium content which can lead to fluid retention that causes bloating and swelling. None of those are fun during a flight, so skip the fried stuff.

Beans

Ok, stop giggling. We all know that beans are a musical fruit… Seriously, the high fiber content in beans makes them often causes gas. Sometimes that gas can be embarrassing and kind of unpleasant. Other times, it can lead to some painful bloating that, combined with the pressure changes on the flight at 30,000 feet, can make your ride very disagreeable.

Highly Salty Snacks

There are just so many tasty choices between chips and salty snacks. The airport shops not only have them in abundance, but they also have the bigger “sharing” size. Still, we should avoid them. Like fried foods, the sodium content is very high in these snacks, and it can increase fluid retention and bloat. Is struggling to put your shoes back on worth those Doritos? Only you can decide.

Cruciferous Veggies

Usually, we think of veggies as a good choice and in most cases, they are. Flying, however, is a different matter. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower tend to sit in your large intestine for hours to digest. Add a pressurized airplane cabin and you have a recipe for an uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing flight.

Garlic

This is less for you and more for your fellow passengers. We all know that garlic (and onions) can cause some pretty smelly breath. Even if you pop some Altoids or swish some mouthwash, that’s a temporary fix. The smell can actually resurface after digestion into the bloodstream. Let’s add kimchi to the list as well. We here at Big Guy Big World always say to be kind to our fellow travelers.

Coffee

We left this suggestion to be last on the list so that you didn’t rage quit earlier and not see the whole list. That’s understandable. We love coffee too. And some days, it is simply a necessity. But if you can avoid it before and during flying, you should. Flying already has a dehydrating effect on you and your skin. The diuretic effect of caffeine just multiplies it. The dehydration can lead to headaches and anxiousness, neither of which sounds too fun. Organizations like the Aerospace Medical Association recommend avoiding diuretics and the CDC has suggested that staying hydrated can help avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis.

On top of that, it can make you go to the bathroom more. That means squeezing past annoyed people to get out to the aisle, then navigating that tiny space they call a lavatory. Just splendid. Alcohol has a similar effect, so maybe consider waiting until after the flight to imbibe your favorite adult beverage.

These are just a few foods to avoid before flying. Have you found some on your own? Share them with your fellow travelers in the comments below.

Until next time travelers, be safe, live a full life, be kind and help others. Can’t wait to catch you on our next adventure.