There are a good number of motion sickness foods you can eat while traveling.
Motion sickness is a common condition that occurs in people while traveling by car, plane, train, ship, boat, or other moving vehicles. Sometimes, activities like watching films on large screens or playing video games can trigger motion sickness.
While this condition is very common, not everyone is susceptible to motion sickness. Scientists shared that about 1 in 3 people are considered highly susceptible to motion sickness, but almost everyone will become motion sick if exposed to intense enough motion.
The tendency to experience motion sickness is high if you’re a woman or pregnant, children between 2 and 12, have migraines or vestibular disorders, are on medications, or lack enough ventilation.
Motion sickness can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, headache, dizziness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and increased salivation.
There’s nothing to be scared about as most cases of motion sickness resolve within a day, and there are preventive measures, treatments, and foods available to alleviate its symptoms and most possibly give you quick relief.
Nevertheless, the aim here is to discuss foods you can eat to help care for your motion sickness. Here’s a list of foods to consider if you vomit or feel unwell when traveling.
Motion Sickness Foods To Eat: Natural Remedies – No Medication
Water
Drinking water while traveling is a good practice to help you stay hydrated. Dehydration can make motion sickness symptoms to become severe by leading to disorientation, headaches, and nausea. One study observed that hydration decreased mild nausea. Avoid warm water, rather sips cold water before and while on the journey. Get a clean water bottle and fill it with clean and cold water as you will need it throughout your journey.
Apple Juice
One of the benefits of apple juice is that it’s hydrating and can help alleviate motion sickness symptoms. Apple juice contains pectin, which can help settle the stomach and prevent nausea, making it a potential remedy for motion sickness.
In addition, eating raw apple can serve for the same purpose. Apples contain natural sugars that can help neutralize acids and settle the stomach, which can be beneficial for alleviating queasiness associated with motion sickness.
Therefore, consider siping apple juice or eating fresh raw apples before embarking on that business, job, education, or leisure journey as it has the likelihood of reducing signs of motion sickness.
Milk
When it comes to drinking milk to curb signs of motion sickness, the impact is inconclusive as there’s no adequate scientific study to back up the claim. One study found that drinking milk before exposure to an optokinetic rotation drum did not affect the severity of motion sickness symptoms. However, another study suggests that milk and dairy products may aggravate motion sickness in some individuals. Therefore, the effect of milk on motion sickness may vary from person to person, and it is advisable to consider individual tolerance and preferences when managing motion sickness symptoms.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is considered a helpful remedy for motion sickness. The scent of peppermint has been found to reduce post-operative nausea, and it is believed that the aroma of peppermint can also help alleviate motion sickness symptoms. In addition to the aroma, peppermint tea itself may provide relief due to its calming effects on the stomach and its ability to reduce nausea. It is recommended to consume peppermint tea in moderation, as excessive consumption may cause stomach upset in some individuals.
Cereal
Eating cereal before your journey can be beneficial for managing motion sickness. Cereal, especially those low in sugar and high in nutritional value like porridge or homemade muesli, can be helpful due to their easy digestibility and energy-providing properties.
Bread
Bread can be beneficial for motion sickness. Eating toast, which is easier to digest than regular bread, can inhibit nausea and reduce vomiting due to its starch content that helps absorb excess acid, reducing stomach discomfort.
Moreso, bread can stabilize nerves and reduce the feeling of motion sickness by interacting with amino acids in the body. Therefore, consuming bread, especially toast, before or during travel can help alleviate symptoms of motion sickness. Also read: 10 Side Effects (Disadvantages) Of Eating Too Much Bread
Bananas
Bananas are a nutritious and energy-dense snack that is easy to eat even when feeling nauseous. This fruit is recommended as part of a diet to help alleviate nausea and travel sickness, as they can provide relief from symptoms like dehydration and excessive acid content in the stomach. Do you know that bananas are rich in starch, which can help in easing nausea and providing quick relief for individuals experiencing motion sickness. Hence, incorporating bananas into your diet before or during travel can be helpful in managing motion sickness symptoms.
Applesauce
Applesauce contains fiber pectin and can be beneficial for managing nausea associated with motion sickness. It is a popular food for people experiencing nausea or diarrhea, and it is part of the BRAT diet which is easy to digest, a good source of carbs, and gentle on the stomach, making it a suitable option for individuals dealing with motion sickness-induced nausea.
Potatoes
Motion sickness can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar, which then contribute to feelings of nausea. Boiled potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels. They are relatively low in fat and protein, bland, easy to digest, and can help soothe the stomach while providing sustenance. The blandness and simplicity of boiled potatoes make them gentle on the digestive system, which can be helpful in managing symptoms of nausea and vomiting related to motion sickness. Also read: High Carbohydrate Diet For Skin: Good Or Bad?
Ginger Tea
Studies suggest that ginger, a key ingredient in ginger tea, can help alleviate symptoms of motion sickness, including nausea and vomiting. Ginger is believed to prevent the development of gastric dysrhythmias and the elevation of plasma vasopressin, which are associated with motion sickness symptoms. Drinking ginger tea before traveling or at the first sign of nausea can help relieve symptoms of motion sickness.
Chamomile Tea
The calming properties of chamomile tea make it a popular choice for managing conditions like motion sickness, as it can help relax the digestive system and reduce feelings of nausea and discomfort associated with motion-induced sickness. Also read: 7 Best Teas To Drink For Improved Bone Density and Osteoporosis
Crackers
Eating plain crackers can help relieve nausea and other symptoms of motion sickness. Crackers are a light, easy-to-digest snack, and not heavy for the body. Dry crackers are recommended as a snack to calm a queasy stomach when motion sickness strikes. You can combine it with drinks like ginger ale.
Pretzels
Pretzels are a type of yeast bread considered as light and bland foods for travelers. They are recommended for people who are going on a trip especially long distanced. Hence consuming a small amount of pretzels before embarking on a trip can help settle your stomach and make you less likely to vomit, thus aiding in preventing motion sickness symptoms.
Licorice
Licorice is a flowering plant of the bean family Fabaceae with sweet, aromatic flavor. Mainly, used in flavoring and to produce herbal and traditional medicine. When consumed, it is believed to help ward off nausea and vomiting and may provide relief from symptoms of motion sickness. Consuming licorice root as a tea before traveling, especially before sea travel, has been recommended as a natural nutritional hack to ease stomach discomfort, and indigestion associated with motion sickness.
Rice
Cooked rice is a very healthy meal to consume when traveling. It is found that simple carbohydrates or foods high in starch like plain rice can provide energy without triggering digestive discomfort.
Motion Sickness Foods to Avoid
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Spicy Foods
- Heavy Meals
- Processed Foods
- Carbonated drinks
- Fatty Dairy Products
- Fatty and Fried Foods
- Acidic Foods – citrus fruits and tomatoes
- Gas-producing foods – beans, broccoli, cauliflower
Additional Resources
- Researchgate
- https://www.healthline.com/health/motion-sickness-remedies
- https://www.health.tas.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-11/Nausea_and_Vomiting.pdf
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319577371_Liquorice
