Our body needs routine. However, nothing upsets our daily life as much as travel. Whether for work or for pleasure, traveling can be an exciting way to have new experiences away from home. However, changes in time zone, the decrease in exercise possibilities, new kitchens and disturbed meal hours can complicate the management of its blood sugar.
A digestive walk and it starts!
What really happens? After a meal, your blood sugar increases because your body transforms carbohydrates into energy. In response, your pancreas produces insulin to transport blood glucose to your cells. However, in the event of diabetes or insulin resistance (if your case is), this system is not effectively working and post-prandial blood sugar can exceed normal. Another problem, when traveling, you may have less access to healthy foods, which can increase in your blood sugar.
“After a meal, our blood sugar level increases naturally” Confirms Julie Boët, a dietitian nutritionist consulted by True Medical. “”A light walk of 10 to 20 minutes allows muscles to use this glucose actively, in particular the post-Prandial glycemic peak. “
It is not intense exercise, but a moderate activity that stimulates sensitivity to insulin and facilitates digestion. “”When traveling, where meals are sometimes more generous or different from daily habits, this walk becomes a precious regulation tool. “
A walk yes but while remaining reasonable
However, no need to feel guilty if you can’t walk immediately after a meal. The ideal is to do it within 30 to 90 minutes. “”But even a walk later in the day will bring profits. What I often say to my patients: do the best with the conditions of the moment “ tempers the expert. At the heart of the holidays, the last thing to do and to see this walk as a constraint.
Also be careful not to walk in the heat, especially in summer or in sunny countries! “”Favor shaded areas, beginnings or end of the day, or even shopping centers if you are in town and is too hot outside. The idea is not to sweat, but to move slowly ” advise our expert.
A calm moment for yourself, excellent for well-being
In addition to its effects on blood sugar, this habit contributes to digestive comfort, decreases bloating and promotes better sleep, which is particularly appreciable when traveling. “”It also acts as a decompression airlock, a calm moment for yourself or to share a discussion with the people with whom you travel which will decrease your stress and therefore your blood sugar ” Complete Julie Boët.
And if walking is really not possible, other small strategies can have a beneficial effect: practicing some stretching movements, composing your plates with a source of protein, vegetables, good fat and complete starchy foods preferably, “Or simply avoid staying on a sofa or in a deckchair for an hour after a big meal ” she concludes.