anyone tried fighting jet lag by not eating on plane?

[Fibonacci]

We are doing a trip to the US West Coats shortly, and I find the older I get the more debilitating the jet lag gets (the dc seem to bounce back far quicker). I do the usual no alcohol, drink plenty of water on the plane - but yesterday someone told me that if you don't eat at all on the plane you recover from jetlag much quicker.

Anyone tried this? Does it work? As it's a 10-hour flight leaving in the afternoon, I'm not sure I can keep the hunger pangs at bay for that long - but will give it a go if others have tried it and say it works!

That's funny, I found that a little alcohol has been the best thing ever -- it helps me sleep just a bit, and sleeping just a bit is the best thing that helps speed up recovery from jetlag.

Oh, and don't travel with children. Guess it's a bit late for that, though!

(sorry havn't tried no food, I'm sure that would make it worse for me, though).

Yes I am stuck with the children ... anyone tried the no food thing?

Isn't that what Posh does on flights to/from LA - not that I'm an expert on her habits

I've just done that very same journey, i ate I drank I watched movies and I struggled with jet leg for 4 or 5 days.

Because we fly home at night I'll do what I always do which is eat in the lounge get on the plane, put the eye mask on and sleep. I always find the home stretch easier and I don't eat or drink on the plane but I do sleep.

Every one has told me to buy Melatonin and take it at bedtime, as yet I havnt bothered.

Good luck.

In the US Melatonin is legally available at pharmacies (counts as a dietary supplement). It works wonders with E->W jet lag. I bought some in Canada, they were 3mg pills, but the ideal dose is only 1mg, so I throw out most of every pill.

But they really really work. You do still wake up at stupid-o-clock, but you look at the clock, roll over, and go back to sleep.

Ah, hadn't seen Alouiseg's post. Melatonin doesn't do much for W->E jet lag, it's really just best at keeping you from getting up at 3am and pacing the house like a madwoman. IME.

I used to take Melatonin to help me sleep at funny times when I did shift work ... but always found it gave me bad dreams.

I used to work with an netball player who travelled internationally playing for New Zealand. The tip that has always stayed in my mind was that they were not allowed to wear sunglasses when they arrived at their destinations and the first thing they had to do was go for a 5km run. I've never tried the run thing but have always tried to get as much sun / day light in to my eyes.