How to keep flying these days from becoming a real ‘hunger game’
This Christmas, you can tell your airline to stick that overpriced snack box right where it belongs!
If you’re taking a flight to visit loved ones this holiday season, you know this can be one of the most hectic travel times of the year.
And between the crowds, the flight delays, and that uncomfortable middle seat, not being able to get a decent meal can be the last straw. Plus, if you’re diabetic or have dietary restrictions, it can be downright dangerous.
But thanks to some advice from health researchers and frequent travelers, you can enjoy healthy and safe eats on your trip this year — without having to fork over $20 for a stale airline sandwich.
Love them or hate them, the days of free airline meals have gone the way of the dodo bird.
Completely extinct.
So unless you’re on certain flights where your airline might be kind enough to offer you some peanuts or pretzels for free, there may not be any food available once you board.
And if you’re taking a longer flight, be prepared to fork over some serious cash for a box of food that you probably would never even think of eating otherwise.
That’s where Charles Platkin, a professor of nutrition at CUNY School of Public Health, wants to help.
Dr. Platkin has been investigating airline food for over 14 years, and conducts a yearly survey as to the best — and worst — food you can get at 30,000 feet (more on that in a minute).
But even if your flight is booked and the boarding passes printed, Dr. Platkin offers some simple tips to help you through the ordeal of airline travel — at least where food is concerned!
For example:
- Your best bet these days is to eat before you arrive at the airport — even if that means allowing extra time to stop at a restaurant before you get there.
- Don’t think you won’t get hungry if you’re taking a short flight. That two-hour hop to visit Uncle Bob in Peoria can easily turn into a whole-day adventure stuck on the plane or in the airport. And that can be especially risky if you have blood sugar issues.
- Good (and healthy) food ideas to take on board with you include easy-open tuna or salmon cups, nuts, such as almonds, walnuts and cashews, dried fruits and veggies.
- Make sure to keep drinking water, as it’s easy to get dehydrated while flying. Just buy a bottle of water once you’re past security.
When booking future flights, however, Dr. Platkin’s airline food survey may come in handy.
As far as providing unhealthy and overpriced food is concerned, the worst offender on Platkin’s list was Frontier Airlines for selling onboard choices such as Twizzlers, Rice Krispies (at $2.99!), Gummi Bears and Pringles.
“Bring your own food” is Platkin’s advice if you’re traveling on Frontier.
For healthier airline food, JetBlue and Delta tied for second place and Virgin America, once again, “is still the clear leader” in that department, being awarded five stars by Platkin. Virgin America sells choices such as ginger chicken soba noodles, lemon pepper tuna and even some veggie wraps.
But despite your best efforts, if you do find yourself hungry and stuck in an airport, and if you just happen to be at one of 24 major hubs rated by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, you’re in luck.
The group has put together a 2015 Airport Travel Guide, and can tell you exactly where to go to find a fresh Asian salad at concourse A in the Salt Lake City International Airport, or baked penne topped with veggies and an Asian pear salad inside terminal B at Philadelphia International.
Now, how to find your missing checked luggage is another matter…
Sources:
“Food in flight: Best bets for airline, airport meals” Charlotte Libov, December 20, 2015, NewsMax, newsmax.com
