Food for Thought

Cheese, chocolates, coffee and a chaotic travel schedule - just the right recipe to get you off balance. Anjali Mukerjee, in conversation with Reema Sisodia, shares some nutrition tips to make travel an effortless experience

Travelling around the globe and working round the clock can have a direct impact on your metabolism. However, if dietary intake is well monitored, it can boost your energy levels and help you keep pace with your hedonistic schedules. One doesn’t have to follow a ‘DIET’ but just observe certain basic eating patterns that could completely eliminate travel related ailments.

Pre-Travel Preparation
Even before embarking on a journey, certain basic essentials should be kept in mind. Travel increases your susceptibility to environmental pollution. To enhance your power of resistance, you can start with doses of combinations such as 2000 mg of Vit-C, 400 IU of Vit-E and 10,000 IU of Vit-A which are all available in a single capsule and can be incorporated as a part of your pre-travel diet. Along with these, Selenium which is also available in capsule form can be consumed, it functions as an anti-oxidant, a potent immunity booster and protects you from infections. It is also wise to take a course of Lacto Bacillus Acidophllus to prevent travel diarrhoea.

In-Flight Nutrition
Long-haul flights, the pressure and the conditioned air circulating within the cabin, all result in dehydration. It is essential to constantly supply yourself with liquids such as fresh fruit juices, tomato juice and most of all water. If you have a preference for wines, then opt for only red wines on flight, and restrict it to a small proportion. Red wine works well as an anti-oxidant and also as a mild sedative. Although if you are prone to headaches, then you’d rather skip it. Avoid coffee or consumption of caffeine in any form. It is a definite cause of acidity and heart burn. Tea, not masala chai but green tea and chamomile tea, works well as a sedative, soothing your nerves besides being a great digestive.

A good idea is to start your meal with a soup as it works well on the system. In terms of food, keep away from heavy or fatty food, as it makes you feel bloated and uncomfortable when flying. A complete no-no is deep fried food as it has a negative impact on the body, giving a feeling of heaviness. Red meat can also be well avoided, and can be easily supplemented by vegetarian diets. Avoid consuming nuts and seeds as it results in the formation of gas and also leads to a bloated abdomen.

Ground Realities
If your schedule entails marathon meetings leaving no scope for rest and recuperation, a dose of B-Complex would help sustain energy levels. It also helps you stay alert and attentive during incessant intensive business meetings. When it comes to eating out, be selective about what you order at restaurants. Stress on orders such as fish, prawns, crabs, and lobsters - grilled, baked, barbecued or steamed. Roasted or grilled chicken with steamed vegetables is also a good option. For vegetarians, lightly sauteed babycorn, mushrooms, bean sprouts and other Chinese greens, make a good choice of main dish in a Chinese restaurant. It is perfectly alright to request the waiter to have it made in less oil. In a sizzler joint you could ask for a fish or chicken sizzler minus the sauce on it and of course minus the French fries. The vegetables served alongside are just fine and taste great along with the meat. For vegetarians, your best bet would be Chinese greens and steamed rice or noodles. Clear vegetarian/chicken soup (ie. without any white sauce or corn sauce) should also be good. A Tum Yum soup or a vegetarian/chicken noodle soup serves as a great filler. At an Indian restaurant, you could ask for a tandoori roti with a palak mushroom dish or a dal with no extra butter or ‘tadka’.

Dinners can be your time to relax. Rich food that can be consumed are pasta with tomato sauce and vegetables (each served separately). You can also ask for a salad with olive oil and vinegar as a dressing. These are food that are termed as relaxing, that has an impact on your sleeping pattern. It helps increase the serotonim levels, which works as a ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter.