Plane Foods!

Yup, I typed that right. 'Plane', not 'plain'. :P

I'm going to be travelling a lot in the next 2-3 months, with a few days of pretty much 24-hours in transit (between airtime and layovers). I don't want to rely on that horrendous airplane food, so I thought I'd bring lots of my own stuff! The terminals usually aren't too bad (a few decent granola bars, fresh fruit), so it's the 8-9 hour plane rides I'm most worried about. =/ Anyone have food ideas that are filling and nutritious, but also really portable and prep-free? I know there are Luna bars and larabars and such, which I'll bring, but other than those I'm totally drawing a blank! 

Also, I'm a tad concerned jet lag might throw off my eating. Has this been a problem for anyone?

Having flown to and from Europe multiple times, I have to agree with you about the plane food.  The food they give you on the plane is quite icky...and can be flat out gross depending on the airline you take. 

I often bring some granola bars, a banana, an apple, some pretzel sticks, nuts (usually pistachios or walnuts), and I will often buy a smoothie in the terminal while I am waiting to get on the plane.  You can also get a prepackaged sandwich to bring with you after you pass through security. You could even get a whole grain bagel or something.  Definitely bring your own water with you...buy one of the bigger bottles after you get through security.  They do not pass by with the drink cart often enough to keep you hydrated.

I haven't really had any problems with jetlag throwing off my eating schedule.  I am often so tired that I barely even notice hunger, and I just end up eating at the right time. 

I live in Korea and have flown back and forth 5 or so times now (24-33 hours of travel with layovers each time). The longest single flight for this trip is about 15 hours. I try to grab some things in the terminal like trail mix, a couple apples and if I can find one, a decent sandwich. I've had a couple decent meals during these flights but they're few and far between. Luckily on mine the breakfasts were always good (yogurt, fruit, etc). Eat a decent meal before you board and I'd say just grab fruits, granola bars/trail mix and a sandwich to try to hold you over. 

Regarding water: I bought 2 giant bottles of water after going through security and flying out of Korea and once out of the US they made me throw them away before boarding. They made everyone throw out their coffee they'd just bought, too. Bring a nalgene bottle (empty) onto the plane and make those stewardesses refill it. You could smuggle in some crystal light packets or something, possibly, to get a different taste or something, too. 

Original Post by alibsam:

Regarding water: I bought 2 giant bottles of water after going through security and flying out of Korea and once out of the US they made me throw them away before boarding. They made everyone throw out their coffee they'd just bought, too. Bring a nalgene bottle (empty) onto the plane and make those stewardesses refill it. You could smuggle in some crystal light packets or something, possibly, to get a different taste or something, too. 

I hope this isn't going to become routine for Europe as well!  I've never had it happen while flying to or out of Italy.  The next time I'm in the US,  I will pick up a nalgene for myself and my husband....just in case. 

just be careful you eat everything or else leave it in the quarantine bins before you enter a country, or if you are going to a country that requires you to declare food, make sure you do so, cause otherwise you can get into alot of trouble.

If you are planning to eat it on the plane make sure it doesn't smell.

you can always just take a normal empty water bottle through security, i always just fill at the airport, or if they do an extra check before getting on the plane, once on the plane. Very few airports have no potable water available once you are through security to fill up.

I always order the low-fat meal- my last flight, was served brown rice with some chicken thing on top, 1/2 cup black bean quinoa salad, green salad and a fruit salad for dinner, and an apple and low-fat bran muffin for the breakfast/snack.

I always pack Clif bars, bananas (make sure to eat any fresh fruit before landing) and sometimes little packs of cereal/oatmeal- you can always ask for a mug of hot water or milk.

I also call ahead when possible to arrange for special meals. Most airlines will offer low sodium, no dairy, veg., low cal etc., so long as you call beforehand to arrange it. Based on my experience, no matter what meal you request, they are ALWAYS better tasting and healthwise than the alternative.

Have a great trip!

Original Post by kbella24:

Original Post by alibsam:

Regarding water: I bought 2 giant bottles of water after going through security and flying out of Korea and once out of the US they made me throw them away before boarding. They made everyone throw out their coffee they'd just bought, too. Bring a nalgene bottle (empty) onto the plane and make those stewardesses refill it. You could smuggle in some crystal light packets or something, possibly, to get a different taste or something, too. 

I hope this isn't going to become routine for Europe as well!  I've never had it happen while flying to or out of Italy.  The next time I'm in the US,  I will pick up a nalgene for myself and my husband....just in case. 

Flying from Ireland to the US we had a stop in Philly before our final destination - had to recheck all of our bags, and go through security again, which meant any liquids had to be checked or thrown out. Including a water bottle bought at the Dublin airport.

Original Post by kbella24:

Original Post by alibsam:

Regarding water: I bought 2 giant bottles of water after going through security and flying out of Korea and once out of the US they made me throw them away before boarding. They made everyone throw out their coffee they'd just bought, too. Bring a nalgene bottle (empty) onto the plane and make those stewardesses refill it. You could smuggle in some crystal light packets or something, possibly, to get a different taste or something, too. 

I hope this isn't going to become routine for Europe as well!  I've never had it happen while flying to or out of Italy.  The next time I'm in the US,  I will pick up a nalgene for myself and my husband....just in case. 

It might just be an Asia thing. I'm not sure. The same thing happened at the Narita Airport in Tokyo. I just stopped feeling guilty for harassing the stewardess for water. I asked for a bottle of water so I'd stop annoying her but she said only first class got them (ha) so I just asked her for two cups of water each time... because let's face it~ those tiny cups are quenching anyone's thirst. 

Most flights I have been on have had a limit for liquids in hand luggage set at 150ml. So a small bottle of perfume you could get away with but coffee or water bottles are often too big. I guess you could try filling up an empty bottle from the bathroom, but it'd probably be more hygenic to ask an air hostess to fill it up for you.

I usually take fruit like apples with me because they keep well and it makes a change from the stodge you can sometimes get on board. Lots of international airports now have a great food selection - sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, salads etc. I often buy a wrapped sandwich to take on board if I have time.

With all that said and done, I am a frequent flyer and flying never upsets my eating habits that much. Even if you can't get your ideal meal on board, most airlines serve things like sandwiches which, if you are on a diet, at least won't wreck your calorie intake for the day. It's better to eat a small meal at about the right time than to avoid eating and end up starving when you arrive at your destination.

I just read yesterday that for every hour you are in the air you need 8oz of water to replenish what your body looses due to the low humidity in planes.  I stock up once I'm past security.  I was on a 13 hour flight once and only got a few dixie cups of water.  I felt like a raisin when I got off the plane.  Stingy jerks.  8 years ago when I flew international, the drink service was ongoing and we got free Toblerones.

If I'm coming from home, I'll pack a real meal - a salad or sandwich, plus snacks.  If I'm not at home, I think it's easiest to buy a sandwich/salad/wrap or something like that outside the airport & take it with me on the plane. It's not usually an issue to bring it on, since it will be consumed during the flight. The only time I've had a problem is bringing fresh fruit from Hawaii to California - that is absolutely not allowed, even if you plan to eat it during the trip.

Ideas for non-perishable snacks that you can throw into your luggage and have with you on all the flights: Trail mix (or separately, nuts, dried fruit, and/or cereal); crackers; laughing cow cheese wedges; individual-sized packets of hummus (they make some that don't need refrigeration); beef or turkey or soy jerky; soy crisps (sort of like mini rice cakes, but much higher in protein).

Since all of the above are so dry, make sure to drink plenty of water with them.

I always bring a plastic baggy filled with granola bars, Larabars, nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts), packets of oatmeal (and a spoon!) and packets of stevia. Maybe some granola in case I can find a decent plain yogurt in the airport terminal.

If I know I'll be flying during lunch or dinner time, I will pack something that doesn't need refridgerating, like a quinoa salad or chicken/tuna wrap that I prepped at home.

If I'm just flying within Canada, I always bring some baby carrots, chopped bell pepper slices and fruit too (usually apples since they're the most portable.) These items will be confiscated if I'm travelling into the US though :(

And I always buy a bottle of water as soon as I'm through security (even though it costs like $4...) :|

PBJ sandwich is portable and non perishable

Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:

PBJ sandwich is portable and non perishable

 I forgot to add that to my list too! I bring them on board quite often.

Original Post by cellophane_star:

Original Post by prinzessin_naseimbuch:

PBJ sandwich is portable and non perishable

 I forgot to add that to my list too! I bring them on board quite often.

I'd say best bet is to pack as many PBJs and fruits as possible into a carry on.  Bring an empty bottle to the airport, pass security, then find a water fountain to fill it up.  I did that the last time I traveled by plane.

Thanks for so many GREAT tips you guys!! :D I fly often enough, but usually they're only 2-4 hours so food isn't a big issue.

As for ordering from the plane, that's a great suggestion, but I've requested the lowcal meal once before and it was this icky spongy egg white with something that I think was supposed to be salsa. :P It might've just been bad luck, but I'd rather just bring my own stuff now. 

I've never thought of bringing my own empty bottle before, but I'm definitely going to do that. I'll just fill it up at the water fountains inside the terminal and when I'm on the plane (I'll probably feel bad asking at first too, but with those teensy glasses what do they expect? xD).  

Little oatmeal packets are a totally brilliant idea, and something I'd never think of! What do you put the oatmeal in (for a bowl)? PB&J will be super great too!

So you've never had any problems taking apples/bananas? I'm worried if I make something at home, it'll be confiscated. I'm not flying through the US at all though, so maybe that will make things a bit easier.

Thanks again!! :D

Policies about food depend on where you're flying from/to - it's usually about agriculture (some countries are trying to protect against insects being brought in).  If you have questions, I'd just call the airline & save yourself the worry.

Original Post by _emma:

Little oatmeal packets are a totally brilliant idea, and something I'd never think of! What do you put the oatmeal in (for a bowl)? 

 You could either bring a small plastic container (maybe put the packets in the container!) or ask the attendant for an extra styrofoam cup when they give you your hot water.

I make my instant oatmeal with airplane coffee.  Not too much, so it stays pasty.  And it tastes better if you throw in a bag or two of airplane peanuts.  

Getting a cup to mix it in is no problem, but I bring my own spoon.  I don't know if they have these on the plane, and it's hard to eat oatmeal with a plastic coffee stirrer.