Tummy troubles

Traveling to a different country can be hard on your body. Especially after a longer flight, you get little pains everywhere in your body, or a cold from the air conditioning. It can also give you some tummy troubles. Getting on and off the plane and eating different foods which are also prepared in a distinct way drastically different from what you’re used to, can upset your food processor even more.

So what to eat and what to do so that you feel better?


Here’s SurfNicaWave’s tips for survival…


First of all try to keep drinking enough fluids, as you don’t want to dehydrate. Water or coconut water is very good for you and is full of antioxidants. Coconut water is abundant in Nica, since fresh coconuts are everywhere around! They are high in potassium which helps you hydrate.


Another good practice is eating bananas. They are the first item in the “brat” diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast), which has been used by generations to soothe bellies. Bananas also contain potassium, which you may need if you’re dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea. They also contain sugar so you get calories at a time when you’re probably not eating much. But watch out, if they’re not real sweet it could make you nauseous.


What is also found on every street corner in Nicaragua is rice (and obviously leave out the beans). Rice, along with other starchy foods such as potatoes and oats, helps coat the lining of the stomach, easing digestion and having an overall soothing effect. If you have the opposite of food wanting to leave your body in a hurry, it might be a good thing to try apples. And applesauce helps with diarrhea. Although you would probably have to make that yourself since it is hard to find in Nica. Applesauce is generally calming for the stomach because it’s easily digested, relieves diarrhea, and provides calories. Apples themselves contain pectin (especially in the skin), which can help your food race towards the exit.


The fourth and final component of the brat diet is just as tasty as the first three items. Toast won’t cause acid reflex (sour burps, not nice), so you’ll feel better. It also doesn’t sit in the stomach like a high-fat meal, which would make you feel more uncomfortable. Along with all of these things you can drink some broth or herbal tea with ginger and snack on some saltine crackers. They all will help your tummy towards happiness again. It is always better to find a natural solution instead of taking a pill against tummy troubles. Local people are a good crowd to ask for solutions like that as they know a lot about herbs and natures natural medicine.


Remember, a happy tummy is a happy body, which equals a good vacation!