Jetting off for a summer vacation? How to eat and drink to minimize jet lag
Jet lag threatens to turn even a dream vacation into a slog. And with peak travel season underway, millions of people may have to contend with this disorienting condition, which can cause sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches and nasty…
Jet lag can transform a perfect vacation into a troublesome experience. Millions of travelers face this issue during peak travel season, dealing with sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches, and gastrointestinal problems. However, eating and drinking habits can help minimize its effects, not just by adjusting sleep schedules.
Jet lag happens when the body's internal clock is not in sync with the new time zone, taking a few days to adapt to environmental cues like sunrises and sunsets. Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic, experienced severe jet lag during European trips, which ruined the first few days of her vacation. According to Joanne Slavin, a nutrition expert at the University of Minnesota, digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea are common jet lag symptoms.
To combat jet lag, one can gradually shift meal times closer to the destination's time zone. Begin by moving meals by 15 minutes, then half an hour, and eventually an hour. Upon arrival, eat when locals do to align with the new time zone. A study by Northwestern University researchers found that starting the day with a hearty breakfast in line with the new time zone can help recover from jet lag.
Keep to this schedule throughout the day, having lunch and dinner at appropriate times for the location.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
