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Long plane trips can be boring and uncomfortable and will only be made worse if you have to keep running to the bathroom every five minutes. Eating wisely during and before your flight is extremely important if you want a pleasant journey. Eating correctly can also help prevent deep vein thrombosis that can be caused by frequent flying. Sitting on a plane for long periods of time can slow down your blood flow and cause swelling and by eating correctly you can help minimise these problems.

Avoid fats

During flight the fluid in your blood has a tendency to move into surrounding tissues, causing them to swell. This can lead to blood clotting. Eating a meal full of saturated fats before or during flight will only make this situation worse. Consider ordering one of the lower cholesterol/low fat options that many airlines now offer or simply don’t indulge in the cheese and biscuits or pudding that comes with your standard airline meal.

Eat fish

The oils found in fish help to prevent blood from clotting and so have the opposite effect of saturated fats. Salmon or tuna are great options if you can get them. Just try and avoid any creamy sauces they may come with. Another alternative is to take an omega-3 fish capsule before you board your plane. Snacks like sesame seeds and chickpeas also contain oils which will help to prevent the clotting of blood.

Water

It is important to stay hydrated on any long trip and water will help to thin your blood, thus helping to prevent clotting. Eating fruits that contain lots of water, such as grapes, will do the same thing. Try and avoid alcoholic drinks and drinks high in caffeine as they can make you lethargic and cause dehydration, nausea and headaches.

Tags: food, travelling