How to Stay Regular on the Road
No one wants to talk about it….but everyone does it. What am I talking about?! POOPING, of course! Seriously though, for those of us who are long-term travelers, or even if you’re just taking off for the weekend ~ any slight change in your routine can cause problems for your digestive system. Personally, the place I’ve been the most constipated was in Peru, where the high altitudes shut down my *movements* for several days! Trust me: it’s NOT fun. I even have friends who can’t poop unless they’re HOME…which is crazy!!?! And it’s why I’m writing this short post: “How to Stay Regular on the Road.”
I have two secret weapons when it comes to staying regular on the road: 1) Probiotics, & 2) Triphala.
This photo was taken in Pisac, Peru at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. Your digestive system virtually comes to a halt at that elevation. Without Triphala, I would have gone DAYS without pooping!
**Author’s Note: Article updated as of October 2023. I’m an Amazon affiliate, which means that if you purchase any of the recommended products below through my links (I will very much appreciate it) ~ & I may earn a commission on them, at absolutely NO extra charge to you.
Best Probiotics for Travel
Probiotics are a traveler’s best friend. They accomplish three essential things: 1) They keep the immune system healthy by replenishing good bacteria in the gut, where 70% of our immune system lives; 2) They improve digestive function & reduce bloating; & 3) Certain strains of probiotics can even fight food-borne illness & help prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
Typically, the more cultures the probiotic has, the more expensive & potent it will be. For instance, some brands have 1 billion active cultures, which may work just fine for you. Others, like Green Vibrance (shown below), have 25 billion. The key is finding out which supplement works best for you. If you’ve tried a cheaper brand of probiotic that made you feel bloated ~ dump it, & spend $5-10 extra to get a better one. NOT ALL PROBIOTICS ARE CREATED EQUAL!! Cheap ones can have extra “filler” ingredients that may cause bloating.
Best Probiotics for Travel
The most important thing to remember if you’re buying probiotics & want to travel with them: make sure they don’t require refrigeration. All brands listed below are stable at room-temperature.
If you’re looking for an all-around health supplement ~ & more than just staying regular on the road: go with Green Vibrance. It’s a green powder you can mix with juice, & it has TONS of nutrients & super foods in it, plus 25 BILLION probiotics. Taking one quick shot of this every morning is a great way to stay healthy on the road.
I carry this in a zip-lock bag when I travel. 25 BILLION probiotics + loads of vitamins & green powders.
Jarrow is one of the oldest, most trusted brands in probiotics ~ & this specific one is meant for travel, as it doesn’t require refrigeration.
These pills are SO tiny ~ they’re incredibly easy to swallow. If the Jarrow pills are too large, try these!
Triphala
In discussing how to stay regular on the road, we’ve now come to my true secret weapon ~ Triphala. What is it? Triphala is an Ayurvedic herb that’s been used for thousands of years in the East, made of three fruits that specifically support elimination: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, & Haritaki. Triphala is NOT a laxative ~ but it does everything you wish a laxative would. Meaning, it gives you good, solid poops!
Laxatives, even herbal ones like senna, can irritate & dehydrate the colon, & are NOT good long-term solutions. Anyone who’s ever taken senna knows: it’ll make you pee out your asshole! NOT FUN. Especially when you’re on a bus or plane! Triphala is the antithesis of senna ~ meaning you won’t be running to the bathroom, clenching your butt cheeks. It’s the anti-laxative laxative, as it simply helps “tone” your colon,” while improving regularity.
I’ve tried many different brands of triphala, but my favorite is Planetary Herbs ~ quite simply because it works best for me, & there are no “bad” ingredients in it.
Benefits of Triphala
- Assists internal cleansing without irritation.
- Gently maintains regularity without causing diarrhea.
- Works by toning & strengthening the gastrointestinal tract.
- Supports healthy digestion & nutrient absorption.
- Natural antioxidant.
- Nourishes & rejuvenates internal tissues.
- Does NOT cause dependence like laxatives can (laxatives can make your colon lazy ~ triphala actually helps your colon function better).
How to Stay Regular on the Road
If you’re in a foreign country & forgot to stock up on supplements beforehand ~ grab some apple cider vinegar from a local market. It will help with digestion & can definitely get the “juices flowing,” as well as help prevent food-borne illness. Give that a try if all else fails!
I hope these tips keep your stomach a little happier on your next trip! Or even at home, for that matter Happy stomach = happy life. Please let me know in the comments below how these supplements work for you….
xoxo Noelia
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Thanks for writing on this, ahem, sensitive topic! I usually have digestive problems when traveling, but will try these tips next time!
Great! Let me know how they work for you : ) xoxo Noelia
Ha! Great topic & great info. Thanks for writing!
You’re welcome, Paul! Glad to be of help : ) xoxo Noelia
I’d never HEARD of Triphala before reading this article, & on a whim, went ahead & purchased some through Amazon. All I can say is, WOW. As someone who has only had one bowel movement per day for YEARS (I thought this was normal), I’m now up to 2-3 per day, and feel lighter than I have in years – both figuratively and literally. I had to write and tell you, because I first found out about Triphala through this article, and because it has had such a significant impact on my life. THANK YOU!!
Hi Eileen! Thanks so much for taking time to write, & believe me ~ I am THRILLED to hear that Triphala has been effective for you & your BM’s! Haha it’s so funny how so many people think that one movement per day is “normal,” when in fact, 2-3 is really the norm. I am SO happy for you & so glad Triphala has worked for you!! There’s nothing better than a happy guy ; ) xoxo Noelia
WOW!! Triphala is a game-changer. I can’t recall a time in my adult life when I’ve been “regular,” without the help of laxatives. I think I actually did quite a bit of damage to my colon thru repeated use of OTC laxatives (my colon became addicted to them). I was a little worried to start a regimen of Triphala (worried about becoming dependent on them). But, after three months of use, I am SO pleased with the change in my digestive system. It’s night & day. Just good, solid poops! (Sorry to be so graphic, but you can’t understand what a difference this has made in my life). Thanks so much.
Hannah ~ this is amazing!! OTC laxatives can be so damaging to the body’s own natural elimination, so I am thrilled that you’ve found a more natural alternative that really works for you. YAY!! Thanks so much for writing. xoxo Noelia
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