Alert – Travel expert reveals the very surprising food you should avoid before you fly

Long-haul flights are rarely comfortable even in the best of conditions. 

And now a travel expert has warned that eating the wrong food before take-off could make a bad flight even worse. 

Jessie Chambers, senior travel expert at Global Work and Travel, explains: ‘Flying affects the body in a number of ways, especially digestion. 

‘Cabin pressure changes can cause gases in the digestive system to expand, leading to bloating, discomfort and even nausea. Choosing the right pre-flight meal is just as important as packing your passport.’

So which foods should you avoid? 

Beans and cruciferous vegetables

They might be healthy options full of fibre but Jessie recommends leaving the baked beans and broccoli off your plate before a flight. 

She explains: ‘Lentils, chickpeas, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage might be staples in a healthy diet, but they’re also notorious for causing gas and that gas might expand mid-air.

Long-haul flights are rarely comfortable even in the best of conditions. And now a travel expert has warned that eating the wrong food before take-off could make a bad flight even worse

‘These foods ferment in the gut, which can lead to uncomfortable bloating once you’re airborne.’ 

Salty snacks 

Leave the crisps at home, says Jessie who explains that salty snacks are a recipe for disaster on a flight. 

‘Crisps, processed meats, and ready meals are loaded with sodium, which can worsen dehydration and lead to water rentention,’ explains Jessie. 

‘The recycled air in cabins is already very dry, and salty snacks will make you feel even more sluggish and puffy.’ 

Fizzy drinks and sparkling water  

Jessie says: ‘The bubbles in carbonated drinks are a fast-track ticket to feeling bloated at 30,000 feet.

‘You’re literally swallowing air and that trapped gas doesn’t go anywhere pleasant.’ 

Pastries and fried food aren’t a good choice if you’re going on a long-haul flight

Chewing gum  

Some people think that chewing gum can help to combat the impact of air pressure on their eyes, but Jessie warns that it could leave you bloated. 

She explains: ‘It can make you swallow more air. It’s a hidden cause of bloating and it’s easy to overdo it.’ 

Alcohol   

Alcohol might be a tempting prospect on a long-haul flight, but it’s rarely a good idea. 

Jessie warns: ‘Even one glass can make you feel groggy and bloated, especially on longer flights.’ 

High-FODMAP foods 

FODMAP foods are items that tend to be more difficult for people to digest. Jessie picks out three examples of high FODMAP options that are best avoided. 

Alcohol might be a tempting prospect on a long-haul flight, but it’s rarely a good idea

She says: ‘Apples, pears and stone fruits contain sugar alcohols and fibres that can cause digestive distress. Stick to lower FODMAP options like bananas or citrus fruits if you want something fresh.’ 

Pastries and fried foods  

Ever been haunted by a bacon roll? That’s the risk you run if you indulge in the pork treat before a flight, says Jessie. 

She reveals: ‘You may crave a bacon roll at the airport, but it could come back to haunt you at cruising altitude.’ 

The foods to eat  

If you’ve been left wondering what to eat before your flight, don’t worry. There’s a few failsafe options to leave bloating on the tarmac. 

Jessie recommends eating grilled chicken with quinoa and roast veg or enjoying a light salad with wholegrain bread and a banana. 

She adds: ‘Always hydrate with still water before and during the flight and walk the aisles when it’s safe to keep things moving.’