Jet lag can turn a dream vacation into a slog, causing sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms. However, by adjusting eating and drinking habits, travelers can minimize its effects. According to Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, gradually shifting meal times before traveling can help. Starting a few days before the trip, move meals 15 minutes, then a half hour, and finally an hour closer to the destination time zone.

Local Health Tips

Once at the destination, eating when the locals eat can also help the body adjust. A hearty breakfast aligned with the new time zone can aid in recovery from jet lag, as suggested by a 2023 study co-authored by Northwestern University researchers. Keeping meals small before and during travel, as advised by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can prevent stomachaches. Later in the trip, it may be possible to ease into eating more at one sitting, but being mindful of unfamiliar foods, especially greasy or high-fat items, is crucial.

Additionally, avoiding alcohol, which is a significant sleep disruptor, and using caffeine strategically can help minimize jet lag symptoms. Drinking water before, during, and after flights to combat dry cabin air is also recommended. At the destination, aiming for eight glasses of water a day can help, though individual needs may vary based on weather and exercise.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.