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9 Eating Tips for Airline Travel

eating healthy on the road

 

As many of you readers know, this blog writes about food WTC (worth the calories), which means very few of those snacks sold onboard planes and much of what is sold in airports. So what to do, especially if you’re going to be on two connecting flights or getting up early before you’re even hungry for breakfast? No one wants to be so desperate as to have to buy those snacks. I posed this question to groups of  leading travel writers, and here are their strategies for the challenge of eating healthy on the road:

1. ENJOY THE LOUNGES

“Make use of the airport lounges where you’ll find comfortable chairs, a relaxed atmosphere and free food and drink. In North America (less so in Europe and Asia), you can purchase day passes to many of these lounges. Secondly, many regular users of lounges will be allowed to enter with a guest for free. It’s worth giving it a try. Thirdly, some credit card companies have tie-ins with airport lounges, so check your own.”

Paul Johnson,  www.aluxurytravelblog.com

2. BRING A HOME-MADE ITALIAN SNACK

“Taking a cue from a southern Italian tradition and a common packed lunch on hot beaches, a frittata sandwich keeps well. Make a simple omelette and stick it between two pieces of bread. Pack carrot sticks, chocolate and cookies. I have gotten many a jealous look from passengers when I break out this feast.”

Alexandra Korey, www.arttrav.com

3. PACK UP SOME RAW FOOD BARS 

“I am addicted to raw food bars and of course traveling is a good excuse for stocking up on them, my absolute favourites are the brand Raw Bite.”

Malin Lundberg Muller, http://www.hautecompass.com

4. HAVE GRANOLA AND FRUITS 

“As a former Pan Am flight attendant, I’ve never gotten over the “good old days,” when actual meals were served on every leg of every flight. These days when I travel – depending on how far I’m going – I usually take fruit and nuts and perhaps a couple of granola bars onboard with me. If I know I’ll have a quick connection, I pack a sandwich from home along with some fruit and veggies, such as carrots. I’ve also discovered McDonald’s oatmeal with fruit and nuts. They’re located at many airports after security – and It’s delicious!”

Michelle daSilva Richmond, www.therestlessvoyager.com

5. FIND A HEALTHY FOOD VENDOR

“The health food stores now sell a little prepared package with hummus and lentil crackers. Healthy, inexpensive, not heavy…”

Judith Fein, www.GlobalAdventure.us

6KEEP YOUR WATER BOTTLE

“A pre-requisite: avoid anything the TSA / security will confiscate (but DO keep the water bottles! There’s almost always a place to refill them once past security) (Editor’s note: Delta Airlines has a water bottle filling station at several airports. Thank you Delta).”

Chris Backe, oneweirdglobe.com

7. MUNCH ON SOME CHOCOLATE

“If there are times when only the real thing will do, I carry a small tin of Godiva Dark Chocolate Pearls in my purse.”

Irene S. Levine, PhD, MoreTimeToTravel.com

8PREPARE A SNACK BAG 

“For international flights:
– Trader Joe’s organic sliced apples
– Justin’s single serving Almond Butter
– Banana
– Trader Joe’s cashews – single serving packet
– Balance Bars (peanut butter or chocolate chip)
– Hope’s Cookies (a Philly fav which I sometimes share with seat mates or flight attendants)
– Sandwich from Panera, Corner Bakery or local deli (simple chicken or turkey) Emergency chocolate usually Pretzel M&Ms
– A large bottle of water and sometimes Crystal Light packets.

U.S. Domestic flights: apples, cashews and cookies.
I bring in small reusable LuLuLemon bag or similar which I can roll up when done and use later for shopping during my travels.”

Sue Wolko, www.philatravelgirl.com

 9BUILD YOUR OWN DELICIOUS SANDWICH OR SALAD

And my (Karen’s) latest “light bulb” for eating healthy on the road – usually I bring a tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomato on the side so the bread doesn’t get soggy. On my last trip I bought a rotisserie chicken from Publix, cut off a thigh, and put it in a Tupperware container. And then in another container, was a small salad with green beans. A piece of fresh fruit completed the meal. My seatmates were envious!

 

 

 

Karen Escalera

Karen Escalera

6 Responses

  1. To protect yourself from the zillions of germs you’re exposed to in airports be sure to eat a healthy supply of vegetables and fruits for the days surrounding your flights

  2. I like to pack a variation of something I once enjoyed in an airport lounge—salami and butter on white bread (the original was cream cheese instead of butter). Yum! It will hold up for quite a while without special care. Bring extra so you can shock your seatmates and share with them.

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