Skip to Content

10 Things You Should NEVER Eat Or Drink Before Flying

You don't need any midair accidents.

By and
aircraft lavatory sign
Richard Sharrocks//Getty Images

Everyone these days has their very own travel ritual. For example, I never travel without my Longchamp stocked with face masks, hand sanitizer, my computer, and a good book. Usually, there's a protein bar and a pack or five of Emergen-C thrown in there for good measure, too. And whether you're one of those people who arrive at the airport three hours early or the last one to board your flight, you likely have your pre-flying agenda down to a science. You may even have a tried-and-true plane outfit you always wear. But when it comes to fueling up before a long flight, there are some things that should never make it on your schedule. After all, no one wants to be stuck in an airplane bathroom longer than they need to be, am I right?

Here are ten things you should avoid eating and drinking before boarding any long-haul flight, especially if you want to avoid in-flight mishaps or discomfort.

1

Fried Food

palitos de boniato al horno
Ethan Calabrese

We never met a French fry we didn't like, but it's best to avoid them, along with all other fried foods, before a flight. (Order some up after landing instead.) Fried foods can cause heartburn thanks to all those fats and oils, and they tend to be high in sodium, which can lead to fluid retention and cause bloat or swelling in your body while you're up in the air. No amount of gua sha can compete with that.

2

Red Meat

food, dish, junk food, hamburger, cuisine, buffalo burger, ingredient, fast food, burger king premium burgers, cheeseburger,
Courtesy of Ethan Calabrese

If you're tempted to hit up your favorite burger spot before a flight, you might want to think again. Many people have difficulty digesting red meat, so in addition to discomfort, you could treat everyone around you to a pretty gross odor as your body attempts to to digest it. Better not risk it.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Coffee

Serveware, Brown, Amber, Ingredient, Dishware, Orange, Cup, Drink, Tan, Espresso,

Airplanes dry up your body to begin with due to the pressure, so when combined with caffeine's dehydrating properties, you could easily develop a headache or even become nauseous. Plus, it's best to skip the onboard coffee anyway.

4

Alcohol

Fluid, Liquid, Glass, Stemware, Barware, Drinkware, Champagne stemware, Drink, Dessert wine, Transparent material,

Not to kill your vibes, but alcohol + airplanes is a seriously bad combo. Even if you're pampering yourself in first class, it's best to skip the indulgence. Not only can it dehydrate you and lead to you feeling hungover when you land, but due to the difference in pressure, you'll likely wind up more drunk than you would be were you drinking on land. Is that really how you want to feel before or after your trip?

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Beans

Ingredient, Maroon, Kidney beans, Sweetness, Cocoa solids, Chocolate,

You know by now that beans cause gas (the magical fruit!). That's one thing when you're sitting around your house, but imagine being cooped up in a tiny airplane seat for hours in that situation? Not only is that not fun for you, but it's seriously bad luck for whoever ends up sitting next to you. Or behind you. Be a good neighbor and pass on the pre-flight beans.

6

Apples

Fruit, Natural foods, Produce, Red, Food, Colorfulness, Pink, Apple, Vegan nutrition, Magenta,

Apples might seem like a healthy choice, but all the fiber in them makes them difficult to digest, and you know what that means—gas and bloating. I'll grab a banana instead, thanks.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Broccoli

Green, Broccoli, Vegetable, Ingredient, Leaf vegetable, Cruciferous vegetables, Produce, Natural foods, Whole food, wild cabbage,

Like beans, cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower can cause gas, so wait to nibble on them until after your flight. And whatever you do, don't pack a Tupperware container full of them for the journey.

8

Carbonated Drinks

Liquid, Fluid, Barware, Amber, Glass, Bottle, Distilled beverage, Alcoholic beverage, Glass bottle, Solution,

Not only should you avoid them before flying, but when the drinks cart comes down the aisle, it'll serve you best to stick with water. Carbonated beverages like soda can cause gas and possibly heartburn. A very sad day indeed for fans of the mid-flight DC or ginger ale.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Spicy Food

Vegetable, Ingredient, Produce, Spice, Bell peppers and chili peppers, Natural foods, Chili pepper, Whole food, Carmine, Flowering plant,

Spicy food is notorious for causing stomach discomfort, so if you want your flight to be as comfortable as possible, stick with something more bland before boarding. In fact, bland is a descriptor you should stick with when it comes to pre-plane meals altogether.

10

Gum

Carmine, Stationery, Paper product, Coquelicot, Paper,

It might be surprising, but when chewing gum, you let excess air into your body, which in turn causes gas and bloating (a common theme on this list!). If you need to freshen your breath on the go, you're better off sticking with a mint. However, we know takeoff and touchdown can be tricky, and many people resort to chewing gum to keep those ears from popping. It's probably best to enjoy your gum for that period of time, then pitch it when you've reached cruising altitude or hit land.

Watch Next 
preview for Watch Our Newest Videos
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below