Summer is the perfect time for family adventures and making lasting memories. However, traveling can expose you to unfamiliar environments, foods, and potential illnesses. To ensure your summer vacation is fun, safe, and drama-free, it’s essential to take some common-sense precautions!

Now that you’ve planned, packed, and paid for your trip, it’s time for your much-anticipated vacation. But don’t forget that trying new foods, being in new places at unusual times, and bouncing around in planes, trains, and automobiles can wreak havoc on your stomach and often lead to digestive distress.

Around 10 million people a year experience digestive distress while on vacation, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, bloating, and fever. According to the CDC, it is the most common illness travelers suffer from and can ruin a well-earned vacation!

Fred Pescatore, MD, a physician and author based in Manhattan specializing in functional medicine and nutrition, recommends packing high-quality probiotics for your vacation.

“We spend so much time coordinating the details of our vacations that we often overlook planning to prevent any illness. You can do this by taking a high-quality probiotic like Dr. Ohhira’s a week before you leave and continuing to take it throughout your trip.”

Research has shown that probiotics can help boost your immunity, prevent a traveler’s tummy caused by food-borne bacteria, and lessen the symptoms of other digestive issues.

“Travelers often don’t realize that a bacterial infection causes 80 percent of gastrointestinal illnesses and can often be avoided with proper supplements,” said Dr. Pescatore. “Environmental stress and traveler’s bugs can lower the number of friendly bacteria, disrupting the balance and causing digestive distress.”

Probiotics provide numerous benefits to the body while replenishing the friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. Fundamental for travelers, they enhance immune function, improve digestion, reduce instances of traveler’s diarrhea, and inhibit food poisoning. What makes Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics perfect for traveling is that they are packaged in blister packs and never need refrigeration, so you can toss them into your suitcase, purse, or even a shirt pocket and go.

Dr. Pescatore recommends taking 4 to 6 pills a day for a week before the trip, then 2 to 3 a day during vacation, and packing extra if you have any stomach issues.

The entire family can benefit from taking probiotics daily, especially when traveling. However, this doesn’t mean you can eat or drink whatever you want and avoid getting sick—taking the usual precautions while traveling is the best preventive measure.

Taking probiotics like Dr. Ohhira’s can effectively support your digestive and immune systems while on the go. Here are 10 tips for staying healthy while traveling this summer:

1. Take your probiotics daily: Consistency is key in probiotic supplements, so take Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics as directed on the packaging.
2. Be mindful of your diet: While traveling, it can be tempting to indulge in unhealthy foods and drinks. However, a balanced diet is essential for good health.
3. Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is vital for maintaining good health, especially when traveling. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water each day, and avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you.
4. Pack plenty of sunscreen: Sunburns are painful and can increase the risk of skin cancer. Pack enough sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it generously throughout the day.
5. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, and use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash your hands.
6. Be prepared for emergencies: Accidents can happen, so readiness is essential. Pack a basic first-aid kit and ensure you know the nearest hospital or urgent care center.
7. Keep active: Summer vacations often involve a lot of sitting, whether in the car or on the beach. Encourage your family to stay active by going for walks, bike rides, or hikes.
8. Plan healthy meals: While it can be tempting to indulge in unhealthy foods while on vacation, it’s essential to make sure that you and your family are eating a balanced diet.
9. Get enough sleep: It’s important to prioritize getting enough rest while traveling. Make sure to get plenty of sleep to help keep your immune system strong.
10. Pack plenty of Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics: Ensure you have enough to last throughout your trip, and consider packing extra in case of unexpected delays or changes to your travel plans.