Traveling with Probiotics: How to Pack, Store and Stay Consistent

Short answer: Traveling with probiotics mostly comes down to two things: keeping them at the right temperature and keeping your routine going while your days look different. If you take Natren probiotics, which are kept refrigerated and should not be frozen, a little planning before you leave makes both easy.

Shelf-stable and refrigerated probiotics

Probiotics don't all have the same storage needs. Some are formulated to be shelf-stable; others, including Natren's, are meant to be kept refrigerated. Storage depends on the formulation, and refrigeration by itself doesn't make one product better than another. What matters is following the directions for the exact product you have.

For Natren products, that means keeping them refrigerated and not frozen. If you are wondering how long a particular product can be out of the fridge while you travel, don't assume a general room-temperature allowance. Check the label, see Natren's help and FAQ page on shipping and storage, or contact Natren's team for product-specific guidance. Our article on probiotic stability explains more about why storage matters.

Keeping them cool on the way

• Use a small insulated bag or lunch cooler with a cold pack.
• Don't let the bottle touch the cold pack directly. Wrap the pack in a cloth or add a layer of padding between them, since Natren products should not be frozen.
• Keep the product in its original bottle with the lid closed. That protects the contents and keeps the label, strain name and directions with you.
• Avoid heat. Don't leave probiotics in a parked car, on a sunny windowsill or near a heater.
• Find a fridge when you arrive. Ask your hotel for a mini-fridge, or use the fridge at a rental or a friend's home. Keep the bottle away from the freezer compartment, and check that the fridge isn't set cold enough to freeze food.

Packing and carry-on tips

• Pack probiotics in your carry-on. Checked bags can be delayed, and in the cabin you can keep the bottle with you and out of the heat.
• Check security rules before you fly. In the US, the TSA publishes current rules for supplements, powders and cold packs. Cold packs are generally allowed through screening if they are frozen solid, and larger amounts of powder may need extra screening, so pack them where they are easy to take out.
• Count your days. Include travel days, plus a day or two extra in case of delays, and check the expiration date before you go.
• Keep a copy of the label. A photo of the label on your phone is handy if anyone asks what you are carrying, or if you need to check the directions without unpacking.
• Traveling abroad? Rules about bringing supplements into another country vary, so check your destination's customs guidance before you pack.

Time zones and staying consistent

There's no single ideal hour to take a probiotic. Consistency matters more than the clock, and that is easy to lose when you cross time zones. A few ways to hold on to it:

• Tie your probiotic to a daily habit rather than a set hour, such as breakfast in whatever time zone you are in.
• Natren suggests taking probiotics with a light meal. Follow your product's label for the details.
• Set a phone reminder, especially on travel days when meals move around.
• If you take an antibiotic or other medicine, keep your probiotic about two hours apart from it, and stick to the schedule your doctor or pharmacist gave you.

Our guide on when to take probiotics has more on timing.

A simple travel checklist

• Probiotic in its original bottle, lid closed
• Insulated bag and a wrapped cold pack
• Enough for the whole trip plus a little extra
• A plan for a fridge at your destination
• A reminder set for your usual time
• A photo of the label on your phone

Format can make travel days easier, too. Capsules such as Healthy Trinity and chewable wafers such as Healthy Tummy need no mixing, while powders need something to stir them into. Whichever you pack, follow the label for serving directions, and talk with your doctor before you travel if you take medicines or have a health condition.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring a cold pack through airport security?

In the US, the TSA generally allows cold packs through screening if they are frozen solid. Check the TSA's current rules before you fly, and wrap the pack so it doesn't touch the bottle directly, since Natren products should not be frozen.

Should probiotics go in my carry-on or my checked bag?

Your carry-on. Checked bags can be delayed, and in the cabin you can keep the bottle with you and out of the heat.

How do I keep my routine across time zones?

Tie your probiotic to a daily habit, such as breakfast in whatever time zone you are in, rather than a set hour, and set a phone reminder for travel days. Keep it about two hours apart from any antibiotic or other medicine.

Sources

• What Can I Bring?, Transportation Security Administration
• Gel Ice Packs, Transportation Security Administration

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.