How to Pack Healthy Airplane Snacks

Airline snacks may not be the healthiest fare.

Airlines have been cutting down on amenities such as in-flight snacks and meals, especially on overnight flights. And even if meals are offered, the food is often full of fat, and you may have to pay for it as well. So try a more economical and healthy option: Bring your own snacks to eat on the trip. Just follow a few guidelines so you can get your food through security.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 1-quart clear resealable bag
• Carry-on bag
• Plastic baggies
• Travel-friendly food

1. Carry only nonperishable items since you won't be able to bring a gel pack or ice pack to keep things cold. Place finger foods such as carrot sticks, celery and low-fat cheese in baggies. You can also bring individual-sized containers of peanut butter or dressing, provided they are less than 3 ounces. Remember to pack such gels or liquids in your transparent quart-sized baggie with your toiletries.

2. Store solid foods in baggies in your carry-on tote bag. Consider foods such as hard-boiled eggs, salads, pretzels, pita and bagel chips, dried fruit, granola bars, fresh fruit and rice cakes. You can also buy individual-sized vacuumed sealed pouches of tuna. Many of these are flavored and can be enjoyed with whole-grain crackers.

3. Consider bringing instant oatmeal packets. You can ask the airline staff for hot water once you're in the air.

4. Bring individual packets of water flavorings; they come in a variety of flavors, generally flavor one bottle of water and contain few calories. You can purchase bottled water at the airport once you're through security.

5. Bring soup in a cup -- the kind you just add water to. Bring your own plastic utensils and wait until after the flight attendants have completed their service to ask for hot water.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your food items don't have any liquids or gels in them.

• Freezer bags are sturdier than the regular kind and easier to reuse.

• Don't bring food that needs to be refrigerated or heated. Flight attendants can't store your food nor reheat it for you.

• There isn't a microwave oven on the plane. (I know but, people always ask.)

• Bring your own utensils.

• Wait until it's a good time for flight attendants to accommodate your request.

References

• My Recipes: Beat Those Airplane Hunger Blues With Travel Snacks