Healthy Travel: 10 Things You Shouldn't Leave Home Without (Slideshow)

Reusable Water Bottle

Whether you travel by land, air, or sea, a refillable water bottle is a handy way to save money and always be sure to have a drink available. Refill at a water fountain (if you're flying, wait until after the security checkpoint), or another water source. Just remember to be careful with drinking tap water in some areas of the world.

A (Healthy) Snack

A bite to eat, like a granola bar, trail mix, nuts, or a piece of fruit, is always good to keep in your bag for as a quick yet healthy snack. Especially if you have allergies or other medical conditions, make sure to bring a few easy-to-pack food items, as it sometimes can be hard to find snacks that suit your dietary restrictions while on the road.

Hand Sanitizer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend frequent hand-washing as one of the easiest ways to prevent catching a bug, especially in crowded public areas such as airports o train stations. By bringing a small bottle of hand sanitizer, you can ensure your hands will be clean, even when you cannot access soap and water.

Antihistamine

Have a runny nose when you arrive at your hotel room? Suddenly notice a rash on your body? When traveling, unfamiliar places (maybe someone had a pet in your hotel room...) and foods might cause an unexpected allergic reaction. Having an antihistamine available might save you a trip to the doctor, and give you quick relief for an allergic reaction.

Mints and Chewing Gum

For a fresh mouth when you can't brush your teeth, keep mints and chewing gum in your baggage. Aim for sugar-free options to avoid the unnecessary sugar.

Painkillers

Needless to say, painkillers such as Tylenol and Advil can often come handy during travels (think delayed flights, screaming kids in the seat next to you...), and carrying a small pill box with you at all times is probably a good idea.

Pepto-Bismol

Getting an upset stomach while traveling is not uncommon, and the unpleasant feeling can be due to anything from nausea while flying to more severe causes, like food poisoning. Keep Pepto-Bismol or another medicine for stomach aches and indigestion in your bag at all times.

Vitamin C Supplements

Traveling can take a toll on your mind and body, and a quick vitamin boost might just be what helps you get back on track again. Vitamin C supplements such as Emergen-C are light and easy to keep in your pocket or purse.

Tissues

You spill a drink, want to wipe your mouth, need somewhere to put your half-eaten apple — the situations where a napkin or tissue comes in handy are endless. Keep a pack of tissues with you and you won't have to stop at a roadside café to pick some up, or ask the passenger next to you if you can borrow one.

Band-Aids

To avoid having to run around looking for a place selling Band-Aids (and find out that the only ones available cost three times more than in your corner drugstore), always keep a few Band-Aids with you when traveling.