If you do any traveling you know that airline food, such as it was, has completely disappeared. Many cash-strapped airlines have even cut out soft drinks and pretzels. And if you’ve been the smart one and scheduled your meals around this period of deprivation, you run into a guy who brought a whole pizza on board. Worse, someone might have brought the sulfurous smell of cabbage into the cabin which not only smells now but will smell later, if you know what I mean.
Add to that the time spent with nothing to do but sit in a cramped seat waiting to get to an identical airport in an identical city. What’s a weary, hungry traveler to do?
The obvious choice is to bring onboard your own food. You are allowed to. But choices need to be considered.
Here are some ideas:
- Cut vegetables and a small plastic container of dip
- Crackers and peanut butter
- Apple slices (dipped in lemon juice) and peanut butter
- Seedless grapes
- Hummus and toasted pita bread pieces
- Granola bars (whole grain, low sugar)
- Homemade trail mix with lots of unsalted nuts and raisins
These items should be compact and wrapped. They should fit easily in your carry-on baggage. They should be sturdy enough to withstand bumping, shaking, and overturning. Avoid salty snacks because air travel is dehydrating.
Make sure everything is wrapped in plastic or foil, no glass. Check the latest security guidelines for containers for water and other carry-on goods. The Transportation Security Administration website says foods that are wrapped or in containers are allowed but, of course, must go through the X-ray machine. However, many reusable ice packs, which contain fluid or gels, ARE prohibited, so it’s best to leave them at home.
Not only is this more healthy, but it’s also more affordable. Airport concessions know you’re a captive audience and they charge accordingly.
