
My belt needed a notch looser, and the fries need a bit more salt. What happens to our bodies when we fly, and why does food taste different in the air? As a flight attendant I will explain these questions for you. Shall we dive in?
Food at 11,000 meters
Every flight brings us face to face with the extraordinary conditions of flying. One fascinating aspect often overlooked is how flying affects our sense of taste. But why does my meal taste different at 11,000 meters than it does on the ground? And why do I feel bloated on board the aircraft? Let me explain.
How does flying affect your taste?

One of the key factors affecting your taste experience in the cabin is the low humidity. The air humidity in an airplane cabin is significantly lower than on the ground. This dry environment can lead to dehydration, which in turn can affect your taste buds.
The dry air can dry out the mucous membranes, making you less sensitive to flavors and aromas. However, a positive aspect of this extremely dry air is that bacteria or viruses are less likely to spread in the cabin.
Additionally, your senses are bombarded with stimuli during the flight: low humidity, pressure differences, roaring engines... All these stimuli can confuse your senses.
For example, the noise from the engines. Although it only plays a minor role, the noise can distract your attention and alter your taste perception.

Pressure changes
During ascent and descent of the aircraft, you experience pressure changes, which also affect your taste perception. The constant pressure changes confuse the senses, making flavors less reflected. Furthermore, the pressure changes can also cause a bloated feeling. At the beginning of your flight, the air pressure is similar to that in normal conditions.
Countless particles move around in the atmosphere. As the aircraft ascends, the air pressure gradually decreases. The space between all those particles increases. I often get asked on board if it's normal for the bag of crisps to suddenly swell up. So, it's completely normal due to this decrease in air pressure.
Feeling bloated?
As I mentioned earlier: the air pressure on the ground is 'high' and the air pressure in the aircraft is 'low'. What will your body want to do? Compensate for this pressure difference. Just like that bag of crisps swelling up, your body also inflates a bit, causing an uncomfortable bloated feeling.
What I notice myself is that my belt feels a bit tighter during the flight. So, you're a bit bloated, and your body wants to release air to equalize that pressure difference. That's why you might have had to pass gas on the plane.
Fun fact, these pressure changes can also cause ear pain if your ears don't allow air to pass through easily to compensate for that pressure difference. My tip: pinch your nose and apply some pressure. My ears pop open immediately.
What not to eat?


Your food choices during and before the flight also contribute to this bloated feeling. Some foods can cause extra gas formation in your body, leading to uncomfortable situations, especially during a flight. Here's what you should avoid before and during your flight:
- Beans: It's self-explanatory. Your intestines may struggle to digest beans, leading to extra gas formation in your body.
- Apples: Although apples are very healthy, it's best to avoid them before and during your flight, as they can also introduce a lot of air into your intestines.
- Chewing gum: Chewing gum can cause you to swallow air. While chewing gum can be pleasant during takeoff and landing because swallowing gradually restores the pressure difference in your body, the air in your intestines becomes unnecessary at cruising altitude and also leads to an unpleasant feeling.
- Carbonated drinks: Carbonated beverages also lead to more gas formation in your intestines.
- Alcohol: Although a nice beer can be enjoyable, it can also exacerbate your bloated feeling. Additionally, alcohol dehydrates your body, just like the dry air in the aircraft does. So, it's best to stick to one glass of alcohol during your flight.

In short
Flying certainly has an impact on your taste buds and your body, but by drinking enough water, you can keep your taste buds in optimal condition. Also, be mindful of what you eat before and during your flight to avoid worsening your bloated feeling.
Don't forget to enjoy your flight! See you soon and bon appétit.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | March 27, 2024
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