Precautions for Traveling With Vitamins

Because you can be exposed to more germs than usual, and your body may be under extra stress while traveling, it can be that much more important to take vitamins while away from home. Even when you are traveling and out of your usual routine, you can still easily and efficiently continue to stick with your routine of taking vitamins. You just need to take some simple precautions to make your vitamin taking successful and stress-free.

Air Travel

• If you are traveling by air, the precautions you need to take can be quite different from those applicable to other forms of travel. For airline security purposes, there are strict guidelines regarding liquids you can bring onto a flight. Check with your airline or with the Transportation Security Administration for the most current guidelines, since these rules can change over time.

Original Containers

• In general, whether you are traveling by air or any other mode, it is best to keep your vitamins in their original containers when you travel. However, if needed, you can remove vitamins from these containers and consolidate them into one vitamin container.

Spills

• Whether flying or traveling a different way, liquid vitamins can spill, leading to messes and wasted vitamins. It is therefore best if you can take tablet or powdered forms of vitamins, instead of gel capsules and liquids. If you must take liquid vitamins, cap them tightly, and place them in plastic bags as a precaution against spills.

Temperature

• Many vitamin manufacturers indicate on their products' bottles that they can become damaged if they are exposed to temperatures above a certain level. Cold temperatures can lead to freezing, especially in the case of liquid vitamins. To avert temperature issues, avoid keeping vitamins in car trunks or in luggage that can get too hot or cold. Keep vitamins in your carry-on bag or purse, which you keep with you at all times.

Loss

• Checked luggage can get lost if you are traveling by air or train, and if that happens, you no longer have your vitamins. As a precaution against this risk, keep your vitamins with you in your purse, briefcase, or carry-on bag.

List and Amounts

• Bring instructions with you when you travel so you will know how many of each vitamin to take per day. You can write a list of your vitamins and amounts taken and bring this with you. If possible, bring only as many of your vitamins as you will need for your trip, plus an extra couple of days, in case your return home is delayed.