Planes, Ships, Cars-Long Haul Travel with IBS

Written By Marica Gaspic

This past August was a month that I looked so forward to… the trip we planned two years ago was finally happening!!! Having waited so long, and it was happening, I did not want anything to interfere with my trip and the joy of going to Croatia. Actually the place I was born. I was SO excited about discovering the country of my birth. So NOTHING must not go wrong… well lost luggage is a simple solution, go shopping BUT IBS out of whack much more of a worry.

Being a trip to Europe it was a long a haul trip with over 9 hours of flight and transit time, and a six hour time difference to deal with. Lack of sleep part of the equation, who sleeps on planes? I never did.

With my nicely managed IBS I do have to confess there were concerns. Concern #1, over the impact of time change which affects your biorhythm and of course messes up everything including bowel movements.

Concern #2 eating on the plane! We know that food on airplanes is not gourmet, it is not a restaurant so we cannot order whatever we want. The key for me was gluten and dairy (Cow’s Milk) sensitivities. These if ingested really take my IBS into a dark place.

Then there is the adjusting to time and re setting quickly how to best manage that.

So this is what happened….

Prior to the trip I started adjusting my sleep and wake time to get my body used to time zone changes. Just prior to the trip, ate lighter foods fish and chicken vs read meat which is more difficult to digest. Continued with my healthy eating of fruits and vegetables. My Align gummies and Metamucil for added fiber continued to be my mainstay. Heading to the airport was feeling good!

As expected slight delay in the departure, but otherwise things went smoothly. Was able to pick a ‘Gluten Free’ Meal for the airline I was travelling with but not dairy free. Something that airlines need to look at as an option.

When my meal arrived, much to my surprise it was both dairy free and gluten free… YAY! Having ordered a special meal, it was served first, a nice bonus. It was actually not bad. Later snacks provided were also gluten/dairy free and tasty.

When we arrived at our final destination, Dubrovnik, oh i was tired ! No sleep on the plane. No worries. Just went to bed and slept. Woke up later in the day and had a light meal. Align and Metamucil were in tow as well. After a light supper, back to bed. The next day woke up feeling great and was able to start the day touring the majestic walled city of Dubrovnik. No gut pain, gas or bloating!! What a great start to the trip!!

Marica Gaspic

Living with IBS can quietly take over your life — not just through pain and bloating, but through the constant uncertainty, loss of confidence, and fear of not being able to trust your own body.

I help high-performing women with IBS move from symptom-chasing to true physiological stability — by understanding IBS as what modern gastroenterology defines it to be: a disorder of gut–brain interaction involving the nervous system, microbiome, immune function, and stress physiology.

As a pharmacist and gut health coach — and as someone who has personally lived with IBS — I bring both clinical expertise and lived understanding to the work we do together. My clients don’t just “manage” IBS. They rebuild trust in their body, regain energy and confidence, and create a sustainable system of support that fits their real life.

This is not about restriction or short-term fixes.

It’s about building a body that finally makes sense.

Why Work With Me

Personal Experience

I have lived with IBS and successfully stabilized my own health — giving me deep insight into both the emotional and physiological realities of this condition.

Clinical Expertise

As a pharmacist, I bring evidence-based understanding of human physiology, gut–brain signaling, microbiome science, and medication interactions into every plan I create.

Proven Results

I have guided women through sustainable, personalized recovery frameworks that improve symptoms, restore energy, and dramatically elevate quality of life.

Together, we build a personalized, sustainable gut health strategy that supports your body, your lifestyle, and your long-term wellbeing — so you can live with calm, clarity, and confidence again.

https://www.gutwellnessbymarica.com
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