Dear Rachel,
The holidays are here and I will be traveling to visit friends and family. What can I eat in the airport and on the flights? Can I travel and still eat healthy? What’s your advice? PLMK! THKS!
The holiday travel season has begun. I agree, it can be challenging to know what to eat when you are traveling. I use to find it a tremendous challenge to figure out what to eat that was healthy while on the road. I would end up eating crappy junk food or nothing at all because I couldn’t find what I wanted. But, recently, I’ve been in airports and train stations with lots of options, and unfortunately, I have been in some terminals with surprisingly few choices. In efforts to overcome this challenge, I have scouted out and figured out what’s worth buying and what I need to pack ahead as a snack. I have a plan and it’s not that difficult to find healthy options.
You can plan ahead by using my tips to BYO and make smart “on-the-fly” buys.
1) Pack your own munchies.
By bringing a snack bag of healthy foods, you’ll be prepared and likely to save money. Good go-tos are fruit-and-nut bars or your own homemade energy bites. Also, fresh veggies and fruit are also easy to pack along. I also recommend bringing your own mix-ins like homemade granola or dried fruit and nuts or almond butter in the squeeze packs because chances are you will be able to get a hot oatmeal or a greek yogurt once past security. My carry-on bag is full of snack packs that I make at home pre-travel.
2) Buy a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner before you board for travel.
Omelets, sandwiches, wraps and oatmeal are good go-tos. Many terminals have Starbucks, which offers an oatmeal with little added-sugar — that is, if you skip the brown sugar packet that comes with it (the dried cranberries and cherries are already sweetened with a little sugar). Mix in the packet of nuts, then add a sprinkle of cinnamon. If you prefer fresh fruit, swap the dried fruit for a side of blueberries or a banana. Many terminals also have really good salads, soups, and healthy hot meals and even good sushi that you can get to-go. I have been known to bring along my own salads and pasta dinners for my family and they are always thankful that I remembered to do this.
3) Skip the salt and drink plenty of water!
Airplanes tend to have lower humidity, which can lead to dehydration. Salty processed snacks like chips, as well as salted nuts, only make your fingers and ankles swell and leave you feeling thirsty. Once I pass security I usually buy a large bottle of water for the plane. You can also consider carrying your own eco friendly empty water bottle in your travel bag and fill it up once you’ve passed through security. Don’t forget that tea hydrates too. I often bring a few of my own tea bags and I ask for hot water on board. I also love to bring fruits like pears, oranges and strawberries that are also hydrating (do yourself a favor and pack them in a hard container so they don’t mush).
Hope this helps you prepare for the holiday travel season. For more suggestions feel free to contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com