Ugh I really, really hate to ask this but I’ve searched around the internet and can’t find much help. Everytime I go to Europe (especially france), I seem to get constipated. I think it’s probably from sharing a hotel room and bathroom with family and friends, and the french food (bread, cheese, and butter!) and time change sure don’t help move things along. I know the basics- drink alot of water, eat as much fiber and vegetables as possible… but I need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Being sick like that really throws a damper on a trip to paris. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions that would help? I’m bringing citrucel fiber pills, a stimulant laxative/stool softener combo pill, ducolax suppositories(unfortunately i’ve had to resort to these my past two trips— not fun!!), and senna herbal tea. I’m a little concerned about bringing these through french customs but i guess they’re not exactly illegal or anything. Please help! One more thing—is it safe to drink the water out of the faucet in france as i do at home?
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the awkwardness.
Eat the yogurt and whatever “branches, twigs, nuts and raw oatmeal” type of natural cereal (musli) is on the breakfast buffet….
I doubt French customs will even glance at your bag — let alone open it, but you shouldn’t have any problems in the unlikely event you’re the 1 in 2000 they choose to search. The bigger customs issue will be coming back to the US, where you’re much more likely to experience at least a minimal open-the-bag/shut-the-bag search. However, you’ll have no “drug” problems with OTC stuff that’s American brands.
Yes, it’s safe to drink tap water in France.
Abrupt changes in diet, climate, and water sources (well water vs lake water; hard water vs soft water) can make some people’s bodies react negatively. It’s not the food or water in most of Europe that’s the problem (the tap water in France is 100% safe), it’s you. Part of it is the stress of traveling, part of it stems from the fact that Americans and Canadians in general have far less diversified diets than Europeans do (so, eating a lot of new things may upset your stomach), and part of it is the harmless bacteria in the water: Americans are used to the bacteria in American water, but not the bacteria in European water. My advice: try to gradually diversify your diet at home.