We’ve all been there – you land at JFK with every intention of getting on the subway and blitzing New York, squeezing the most out of every single minute, and you end up passing out in your hotel room and missing the first twelve hours. Or maybe you land and instantly regret that second helping of your in-flight meal. Or you stay out, but you’re tired and grumpy. Does this holiday-killing behaviour sound familiar?
If you want to stay perky post-flight, you need some superfoods that’ll calm your irritable body clock. According to Swissotel, you need to stock up on bananas, cherries, and, er, lemons. Why, we hear you ask? Well, bananas are rich in potassium, which helps tired muscles relax. Cherries contain melatonin, a chemical which helps to reset your cranky body clock, and diluted lemon juice will help you stay hydrated. We’d advise against trying to squeeze one on the plane, though. Might be a bit messy. Although you never know, you may end up with a helpful steward who’ll do the honours.
There are even foods that can help repair the horrors of a dodgy in-flight meal. Did you know that aloe vera can boost your immune system, and soothe a savage stomach? Here’s a top tip that we swear by - if you’re heading to a country where stomach bugs are rife, drink a probiotic yoghurt for two weeks every day before you take off. Your gut will be able to build up some resistance to germs you may encounter, but don’t forget that you still need to make sure the local tap water is safe to drink, and use your head (and your nose) when it comes to street food. Are the locals buying their evening snack there? If not, avoid.
Prone to motion sickness? If you find yourself reaching for a sick bag every time your flight hits a bit of turbulence, try nibbling on a few slices of fresh ginger, or some mint leaves. Both of these foods are known for stopping nausea in their tracks, providing you eat them slowly and don’t wolf them down. Can’t stomach (sorry) either of those? Try packing a few slices of cantaloupe, as it contains adenosine, which thins the blood and pacifies your body’s urge to throw up.
Finally, if you’re always the tired one on holiday, make sure that you’re eating enough goji berries. These tiny red berries, which hit the headlines in recent years after their wondrous properties were revealed, work their magic in two ways; not only do they enhance the quality of your sleep, but they also provide a wonderfully-swift energy boost. If you’re planning a fast-paced trip, these will fill you up more than that family pack of Mars bars. Although we’re betting the Mars bars will probably taste better.