Accumulate Miles, Not Pounds

February 21, 2007

Big portions, rich desserts and tantalizing menus are just a few of the roadblocks travelers face in maintaining a healthful eating style. But travel and nutritious eating can go hand in hand.

Consider the following air travel tips:

Drink lots of water, even if you're not thirsty
With low humidity and recirculating air within the pressurized airplane cabin, air travel can be dehydrating and can aggravate symptoms of jet lag. Drink plenty of juice, water, milk or other non-caffeinated beverages — about eight ounces for each hour of flight.

Pack a "survival kit"
Put dry fruit such as raisins or apricots, muffins, bagels, crackers or pretzels in your carry-on bag. With the new carry-on rules, be sure to check the airline’s policy.

Go easy on the alcohol
If you are going to drink alcohol, remember moderation is key. Some people mistakenly believe large amounts of alcohol will help them relax on long flights; the truth is alcohol can trigger restlessness and dehydrate you.

The pilot has turned off the seatbelt sign....
Especially on long flights, walk up and down the aisles. At the airport, walk through terminals and skip the "people movers" to get the extra health benefits of the longer walk.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team