I love the Natren probiotics.

The only thing that I don't like about them is the need for refrigeration.

When I travel on business (only a few times per year), I can't take the Natren with me because I can't figure out how to keep the stuff cold. And at $33 US per bottle, I don't want to risk letting them get warm.

I just got back from a 3 day trip. I tried taking Flora-Q probiotic (which my GI recommended) with me because it does not require refrigeration. Although I have had some results with the Flora-Q in the past, my gut tells me (I'm listening) that I've taken a step backwards because of the 3 days off of the Natren.

Does anyone have any advice for travelling with or without the Natren probiotics?

Thanks,
Ed

Hi, Ed.

Yes, travel presents some special challenges for those of us with digestive issues. I'm going to be facing this situation myself in June, when we have a vacation scheduled.

So here's what I've come up with thus far. I haven't tested it "in the field" since this is my first overnight stay anywhere since my diagnosis, but I think this will work.

I'm planning to buy the 1.25oz jars of each of the powders for my trip, first of all. It's a higher unit price for the product, but the smaller bottles will be a plus and if anything should go wrong, at least I won't "lose" a whole $33.00 bottle.

Next, I'm going to take a cue from how Natren packages the probiotics for shipping. They're in a box lined all the way around with styrofoam and with cold packs inside. I always go for the two-day shipping and the cold packs are always still semi-frozen when they get to me. I'll probably customize a soft cooler with a styrofoam liner for this purpose.

Finally, I'm planning to request a room with a refrigerator (insist on it, in fact) and bring spring water with me.

Anyone else have any ideas or experience they'd like to share?

Nicole

Yep, Nicole, your ideas are all very good.

I've traveled extensively with Natren probiotics, both throughout the US and also to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Mexico.

I used to take them as carry-on luggage, but then I got to thinking that they probably receive more radiation that way then if they go through checked baggage. Even flying to a hot country, your ice packs (as described below) should hold out for at least 24 hours.

So now, I take a thermal insulated (soft-sided) carrier bag and line it with the ice packs that come with the Natren shipment(s) - the more ice packs, the better. I take large size bottles since I normally go for 2 weeks or more. I pack it in my suitcase.

When I arrive at my hotel, I do indeed try to make sure I have a fridge or bar fridge (just take out the hotel snacks/drinks and put them on the dresser) and then I keep them in there. For the trip home, get the hotel staff to re-freeze your ice packs 2 days prior to leaving.

If you can't get a fridge in your hotel, then it does work fine to keep them in the ice bucket, surrounded by ice, but then you need to replace the ice once or twice per day, so it's a bit of a hassle.

I know they stay potent, cause we once had a big family trip to a resort in Mexico (only 3 star - never again!), there were 12 of us there and every single person got ill (diarrhea, some vomiting) at one point - except my family - who were all taking Natren probiotics prohylactically.

Nicole's idea of adding the styrofoam inside the thermal bag will work even better since it's another layer of insulation.

happy trails!
Jini

By the way, I also travel with Udo's Oil - packed the same way as Natren probiotics - and Absorb Plus, and a blender. Many business travelers use a hand held blender as it's so much smaller/lighter. One of my readers is a film producer, and he never goes on location without AP - says he's been able to shoot everywhere in the world without flaring, since he always has his shakes when the food's bad, or his system needs a break.

Even if I don't need to make that many shakes, I find the psychological relief has a huge impact on my stress and feelings of safety. Especially if you're in the US, there are going to be times where you simply cannot find a restaurant that serves non-processed, chemical-free food (without reserving ahead at a five-star).

Thus, it's wonderful to know that whatever happens, you're okay, you can just make a shake. So you won't have to suffer any ill effects of toxic food, and you feel relieved cause you know you're getting great nutrients.

Of course, take everything with you that you need to make the shake - a tablespoon, large size travel mug with lid, straws, your supplements, etc. Ice, you can find pretty much everywhere.

hope that helps,
Jini

Thank you, Jini!

I'm going to do that very thing in June and I know just having the materials on hand to whip up a shake will take a load of stress off my mind.

Every time I've gone out to a restaurant, no matter how carefully I order, I seem to not feel good afterwards...not a huge, dramatic reaction, but still a noticeable one. I suspect either MSG or trans fats or both. So the idea of being away from my own kitchen for four days and "at the mercy" of restaurants has been a real worry to me. Having the shakes available will really ease my mind.

Nicole

Hi Nicole,

Yes, unless you're eating in an upscale restaurant with an actual chef, you can be pretty sure that everything you order will have been processed in some way in the US - this is why I say it's actually easier to travel to somewhere like Thailand and eat off a street vendor - at least you get fresh, unprocessed food!

You know what else you can take with you - make ahead some really nutritious muffins and cookies (try to get almond flour in there for protein - see Recipe Section on the Forum). These travel really well and then you can always eat these with a nice hot cup of tea if you can't find decent food (or enough of it). I do this too whenever I travel. I find there's really two stressful things about travelling - food and sleep.

Which reminds me, I also always bring my own pillow and then I get to sleep MUCH easier. The more famiiarity, the less stress - plus hotel pillows are just disgusting anyway! I bring pillows for the kids too. And I bring my own 100% cotton sheets. Nothing worse than sleeping on polyester in a hot country (I mostly travel to hot places).

The other thing is to make sure you pack your own food for the journey (plane or car) cause that way you can start out well and there's also very little chance you'll be able to buy good food on the go.

take care,
Jini