Hi Reader,

I've been traveling recently—this time to France. I’ve included a few photos below.

What I notice most when I travel is how much it challenges two things: digestion and sleep. Jet lag is one part of it, but digestion is often the bigger disruptor. So this week, I want to focus on that.

Travel & Digestion

On my flight (about 10 hours), I chose not to eat. It was a nighttime flight, and I simply wasn’t hungry. If you’re flying—especially on discount airlines where food isn’t included—I recommend skipping the meal or bringing something simple, familiar, and easy to digest.

After nearly 15 hours of travel, I arrived in Paris around 4pm. I’m staying with my daughter in her college apartment, so we spent the evening together. She and her roommate made dinner: seasoned beef patties with cheese and brioche, and a fresh green salad with fruit and vegetables. I also brought them Easter chocolates from See’s Candies, which became dessert.

Afterward, we walked along the canals on a warm April evening. I bought us beers, and we sat by the water with the locals—such a fun, vibrant scene.

It sounds like a lovely, even “healthy” evening. But for me, it was actually quite aggravating to my system.

When the Body Falls Out of Sync

I tend toward a Vata imbalance, with a constitution that includes all three doshas but a little extra Vata.

Travel naturally increases Vata—there’s movement, irregularity, stimulation, and often less sleep. Then add:

• Cold food and drink (salad, beer)
• Raw vegetables
• Irregular timing (jet lag)
• Low hydration (flying is dehydrating)
• Eating without real hunger

Individually, fine. Together, they disrupted my digestion almost immediately.

One subtle Vata pattern: when life feels full and stimulating, we lose track of basic signals—hunger, thirst, sleep… until the body pushes back.

Returning to What Works

What helped was simple: warm, steady meals and Ayurvedic food combining.

Within a day:

• Digestion settled
• Energy evened out
• Jet lag barely registered

When digestion is supported, everything feels easier.

Simple Ayurveda Food Combining Guidelines

Even following this part of the time makes a difference:

• Protein + vegetables
• Grains + vegetables
• Salad with either meat or cheese (not both)
• Fruit on its own
• Warm breakfasts like oatmeal

If digestion feels off, ease up on: beans, raw onion, fried foods, cruciferous vegetables, and heavy sweets.

Real Life (Especially in France)

Of course, I’m in France.

There has been baguette, cheese, quiche, and wine.

And I’ll keep enjoying it. But when I balance it—simpler meals, better combinations—I feel completely different.

It’s not about restriction. It’s about awareness.

Work With Me

If your digestion feels inconsistent—or you just know it could be better—this is exactly what we work through together.

In an Ayurveda consultation, we look at your constitution, patterns, and daily habits—and create a plan that actually fits your life.

You don’t have to guess your way through it.

→ Book your complimentary Ayurveda consultation here.​
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There’s something deeply grounding about feeling well in your body—especially when everything else is changing.

And truly…
​it feels so good to feel good.

Warmly,

Marisa

P.S. I go deeper into food combining, digestion, and travel rhythms in the full blog here.​
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