Food on the fly? None for this guy.
The friendly skies are, apparently, not so gut-friendly to foodies who like traveling on full stomachs, so says a fitness coach who “never” noshes in first-class or coach.
“It’s terrible to eat when you’re flying,” Las Vegas personal trainer Michael Sheedy explained on the Wealthy Way podcast.
“Gut motility is affected by the cabin pressure and the elevation,” continued the exercise expert. “So, when you eat on an airplane, your food doesn’t digest as well, and it can cause gastrointestinal inflammation.”
And he’s not just blowing hot air.
Harvard gastroenterologist Kyle Staller warned, “travel disrupts many of the body’s natural rhythms, including digestion,” in a recent report.
Cleveland Clinic specialists, too, confirmed that “airplane pressure changes cause the gas inside your stomach and intestines to expand, which is why you may feel bloated.”
The health honchos suggest avoiding salty and greasy bites, such as burgers and fries from a fast-food joint in an airport terminal, to reduce the risks of gas.
First Officer Paul Janowicz, a Delta Airlines pilot, agrees.
While listing his top five no-fly foods, the skyway savant suggested jet-setters skip “higher sodium” nibbles. He deemed saltier snacks a triple threat to the body at 30,000 feet, as they can cause gas, bloating, and dehydration.
And nobody wants to be a gassy goof while on the go.
At the top of the year, an American Airlines flight actually had to turn around and head back to the airport gates after a flatulent flyer repeatedly farted up a storm.
To avoid the embarrassing explosion — or worse, developing some form of bowel disease — Sheedy says he flies on empty.
“I won’t eat,” he told podcaster Ryan Pineda. “I’ll just do coffee, water and electrolytes.”
Even when he’s offered complimentary goodies that come with his airplane ticket, the fitness influencer says he can’t be influenced to take the bait.
“First class, I’m saying no to the meal,” Sheedy insisted, adding that he also passes on junky grub at airport shacks. “I’m not eating that.”
Instead, the wellness know-it-all keeps his lips zipped until he touches the ground.
“I’m fasting, and then as soon as I land, I’ll have my first meal,” said Sheedy.
“Not only does that keep my body composition looking good,” he continued. “I feel better and I can eat whatever I want.”
But for those who struggle to abstain before boarding a plane, nutritionist Jo Woodhurst told Condé Nast Traveler that there are a few bloat-resistant hacks for the always-hungry.
“Bring some fresh, chopped foods from home with a high water content such as sliced cucumbers, peppers, celery, cherry tomatoes, or watermelon to help with hydration and fluid balance,” she said. “Pair these with some protein, such as seed butter, to create a more blood sugar balancing option.”
