Traveling This Summer? Keep Your Digestion Happy.

A simple Ayurvedic guide to staying balanced on the go.

Namaste,

If you read last week’s post, you know Food Month is in full swing. I talked about what Ayurvedic food actually is (hint: it’s not just Indian food), and why it’s less of a cuisine and more of a way of thinking.

Today, I’m taking that conversation into summer—where travel, sunshine, and shifting routines meet Ayurvedic food wisdom.

While June might smell like peaches and sunscreen, it’s also the season of disrupted routines. Summer vacations. Road trips. Long flights. Weekend getaways. Work travel. Kids out of school. More socializing. Less structure. All the things that make life fun… and that quietly send your Vata into a tailspin.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ve noticed that travel has a way of knocking things out of balance—physically, mentally, and everything in between.

Why Travel Aggravates Vata

In Ayurveda, Vata dosha is made up of the elements air and space. It governs movement, activity, communication, and change. Think wind—light, dry, mobile, cool, and unpredictable.

Which also happens to describe… travel.

Airports. Highways. Disrupted sleep. New places. New foods. Being overstimulated one minute and underfed or overfed the next. Even joyful travel increases Vata—because it pulls you away from your usual rhythm. (And our minds and bodies thrive on rhythm—especially as we get older.)

When Vata gets too high, you might feel:

• Spaced out, anxious, or overwhelmed

• Constipated or gassy

• Dry—skin, lips, digestion—and often a sense of feeling depleted or scattered

• Wired and tired at the same time

• Totally thrown off by meals that don’t “sit right”

There’s good news. Ayurveda has tools for this. And it starts with food.

🥣 Food Strategies for Keeping Vata Calm(ish)

Let’s be honest you’re probably not simmering lentil stews or sipping herbal decoctions out of copper cups while on vacation. And that’s okay.

The Ayurvedic approach isn’t about perfection. It’s about thoughtful, supportive choices—within the reality of your life.

Here are some simple, grounding strategies that can help keep your Vata a little more settled—whether you're flying, driving, or staying somewhere unfamiliar:

1. Favor warm, cooked food over cold and raw

Vata is cold and dry by nature. Adding more cold and dry foods—salads, smoothies, crackers, cold sandwiches—only increases the imbalance.

Instead:

• Choose warm meals: soups, stews, cooked grains, or a warm breakfast like oatmeal.

• At restaurants, opt for sautéed, steamed, or roasted dishes.

• Pack a small thermos of hot water or tea to sip throughout the day.

Geetika’s side note:

I love a chilled melon on a hot day as much as anyone—but too many cold foods while traveling make my digestion hit the brakes. Unless you’re somewhere equatorial, stick to warm and gently spiced when possible.

2. Don’t skip meals (and aim for regularity)

Vata thrives on rhythm. Skipping meals or eating at odd times throws it off quickly.

Try this:

• Eat something grounding in the morning—even a banana with almond butter or a small rice dish.

• Make lunch your biggest meal if possible—it’s when digestion is strongest.

• Keep nourishing snacks on hand: spiced nuts, dates, raisins, or homemade trail mix.

3. Hydrate—but gently

Travel is drying. So is Vata. But ice-cold water isn’t the fix.

Instead:

• Sip warm or room-temp water throughout the day.

• Add a slice of ginger or squeeze of lemon for extra support.

• Coconut water is great if you’re feeling depleted—it’s naturally rehydrating.

4. Mind how you eat—not just what you eat

Even the most grounding food won’t help if you eat standing up or scrolling your phone.

As best you can:

• Sit down, even briefly.

• Chew slowly and mindfully.

• Avoid screens and rushing.

• Take a few deep breaths before you begin.

• A little more calm, a little more presence—it makes a real difference.

---

Even when you don’t have full control over where or what you’re eating while traveling, a few simple tools can help you stay grounded. This is where spices, snacks, and small comforts become your allies.

They’re portable, easy, and full of the kind of energetics that support digestion and balance while you’re on the move.

What I’ve Started to Pack—And So Can You

🧳 What to Pack (Vata-Support Edition)

Spice Essentials (mini tins or repurposed mint boxes):

1. Cumin powder

2. Fennel seeds

3. Dry ginger powder

4. Turmeric powder (optional but helpful)

5. A custom Vata spice blend (coming soon)

   

   I use empty tins for spices, medications and more

Snack Staples:

Roasted or spiced nuts (see recipe below)

Homemade trail mix: almonds, raisins, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds

Date + nut energy balls

A few tea bags: ginger, fennel, mint or chamomile

A small jar of ghee (TSA-compliant if under 3.4 oz)

Mini-Recipe: Spiced Nuts for Travel

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashews or almonds

• 1 tbsp ghee or olive oil

• ½ tsp cumin powder

• ¼ tsp dry ginger

• ¼ tsp cinnamon or fennel

• Pinch of salt

• Method:

• Warm the ghee in a pan, toss in the nuts, and stir to coat. Add spices and toast gently for a few minutes until fragrant. Cool completely before storing in a small jar or zip-top bag.

---

🍚 Mini-Recipe: Instant Comfort Rice

Bring:

A packet of cooked or quick-cooking rice (RightRice, Lotus Foods, Trader Joe’s frozen or shelf-stable packets)

A pinch of your spice blend

A mini jar of ghee

To make:

Warm the rice, stir in ghee, spice mix, and a splash of hot water. Add lemon if you have it. Instant comfort in a bowl.

🌿 Not Just Indian Spices

While I love Indian spices, they’re not the only herbs that support digestion and balance.

Ayurveda isn’t a cuisine—it’s a system of energetics. Which means you can work with what’s around you, wherever you are.

When you’re traveling, look for:

Mint — soothing and cooling

Basil — calming and digestion-friendly

Thyme — wonderful for gas and bloating

Rosemary — supports circulation and digestion

Oregano, sage, marjoram — aromatic, gently warming, excellent for balancing Vata’s cool, dry nature

A simple sprig stirred into tea, rice, or any meal can make a difference.

---

🧈 A Quick Primer on Ghee

Since I mentioned ghee—it’s time for a brief introduction.

Ghee is clarified butter. The milk solids are simmered out, leaving pure, golden fat that is easy to digest.

Nourishing for the tissues (especially helpful for dryness and depletion)

Supportive of Agni (digestive fire)

Helpful for regularity (always welcome on the road)

Calming for the nervous system

Brings softness, nourishment, and that little extra layer of comfort your body craves when you're feeling dried out or depleted. (In Ayurveda, this is called snehana स्नेहन — lubrication, nourishment, and softness.)

It travels well, too—small TSA-approved jars (under 3.4 oz) fit easily in your bag. A tiny spoonful goes a long way.

---

Before You Head Out This Summer...

I know this was a lot of information — I hope it felt a little like sitting down together and coming up with a plan.

Because really, that’s the heart of Ayurveda: paying attention, staying curious, and doing the best you can with what’s in front of you. Sometimes that means elaborate meals; sometimes it means a packet of rice, a few spices, and a small jar of ghee tucked into your carry-on.

Travel will always pull us out of routine—it’s part of what makes it exciting. But it doesn’t have to pull you entirely out of balance. A few warm meals, a few mindful pauses, a little extra hydration, and your body will thank you for it.

And if you ever want to dive deeper — whether it’s Ayurveda for travel, digestion, or your day-to-day life — I’m here for one-on-one consultations. You don’t need to figure it all out alone.

For now — safe travels, happy eating, and may your digestion keep up with wherever life takes you.

Namaste,