Avoid Jet Lag: How to Fuel Your Body for Travel
Long travel days can feel like a wrecking ball to your routine. Maybe you’re bloated before the plane takes off, ravenous by the time you land, or wired at midnight wondering how you’ll recover for tomorrow’s big event. Whether you’re crossing time zones for a race, work trip, or vacation, travel often leaves you feeling drained, swollen, and out of sync.
But jet lag isn’t just about sleep, it’s your whole circadian system getting thrown off: digestion, hunger, energy, and hormones included.
“Your hunger, digestion, and sleep patterns all follow circadian rhythms,” says Jennie Carolan, MS Food Science & Nutrition and APEX PWR Nutritionist. “Sticking to your usual eating times during travel helps your body stay grounded, so when you land, you’re not playing catch-up with cravings or fatigue.”
One of the easiest and most underrated strategies to minimize jet lag is to stick to your home eating schedule on the day of transit.
Why This Works
Your hunger and fullness hormones, ghrelin and leptin, run on a circadian rhythm. When you eat constantly throughout a long travel day or snack aimlessly just because food is available, you can disrupt this rhythm.
And that can throw off:
- 🔹 Digestion
- 🔹 Craving regulation
- 🔹 Energy levels
- 🔹 Sleep quality
“Treat your travel day like a regular workday,” Jennie explains. “Don’t graze just because snacks are available. Structure wins over impulse every time when it comes to keeping your gut and brain in sync.”
What to Do on Travel Day
Here’s how to stay steady and feel your best:
✅ Stick to Your Home Time Zone Until You Land
If you normally eat at 8:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM, do that. Wait until your flight lands to shift to the local schedule.
✅ Don’t Snack Aimlessly
Yes, snacks are everywhere. That doesn’t mean your body needs them. Stay in control by sticking to real meals and your normal pattern.
✅ Bring the Core Four
Pack meals that include:
- Protein (hard-boiled eggs, jerky, protein shake)
- Carbs (oatmeal packets, fruit, rice cakes)
- Fats (nut butter, trail mix)
- Fiber (veggies, chia pudding, flax wrap)
✅ Hydrate Often
Pack a reusable water bottle. Herbal teas and electrolytes can help too, especially on long flights.
When You Land: Then You Shift
Once you arrive, align your meals with the new local time. Because you maintained your rhythm during travel, you’ll adjust faster, feel less bloated, and avoid that wired-but-tired feeling.
“Your meals are a powerful reset button,” Jennie says. “They give your body the stability it craves during the chaos of travel.”
Sample Travel Day Timeline
Home Time Zone: Portland (PST)
Flight: 9:00 AM → New York (EST) arrival 5:00 PM
Time (PST) | What to Do |
7:30 AM | Eat breakfast at home (protein + fiber) |
12:00 PM | Packed lunch or simple Core Four meal |
6:00 PM EST | First local dinner, shift to new time zone |
Recipe for the Road: Travel-Friendly Turkey Wraps
Make ahead for a clean, balanced option during flights or long drives.
Ingredients:
- Whole grain tortilla
- 3–4 oz sliced turkey
- 1 slice cheese (or avocado for dairy-free)
- Handful of spinach or mixed greens
- Dijon mustard or hummus
- Optional: shredded carrots or sliced cucumber
Instructions:
Layer ingredients on tortilla and roll tightly. Wrap in foil or a Stasher bag. Keep chilled with an ice pack until ready to eat.
Looking for More Support?
🔹 Looking for 1:1 coaching and long-term guidance?
👉 Explore Nutrition Coaching with Jennie
🔹 Want a personalized roadmap without ongoing sessions?
👉 Get a One-Time Macro Breakdown
🔹 Ready to build better habits in a structured, flexible format?
👉 Start the APEX PWR 12-Week Nutrition Challenge
Jet lag doesn’t have to hijack your trip. Stay consistent, pack with purpose, and use food as a tool to feel grounded, no matter how high you’re flying.
Need help personalizing your plan? Jennie’s got you.
📅 Book a 1:1 consult or join the APEX PWR Challenge today.
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