Something’s up with airport food choices today.
While fewer airlines are serving free meals on board, it’s getting easier to find healthier dining options on the concourses.
More airports have added concessions with menus reflecting consumer demand for more salads, whole-wheat bread and even grab-and-go prepackaged vegetable crudités.
At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the convenience storelike set up at Z Market on T, A and B concourses features refrigerated selections of entree salads, fresh sandwiches, fruit and cheese combos as well as a nice array of fresh fruit.
I like the option of looking at the size of the sandwich before I commit to a purchase, so I know it’s not too large. Starbucks outlets even include nutrition information on their packages. It used to be that the airport Starbucks offered only sandwiches on white flour focaccia bread, while its other stores had whole-wheat bread options. Some airport Starbucks have finally added sandwiches made on whole-wheat bread, too.
On a recent trip, I arrived early to conduct an informal survey of food options and found that while burgers, pizza, fried chicken, Asian stir-fry and Mexican fare was still the easiest to find, there was a noticeable addition of healthier options.
From kiosks to counters, bowls of fresh fruit were in full display. Newsstands stocked walls of snack foods, which included an impressive selection of various bagged nuts for $2.99 and, as of this week, the going price for a banana is $1.06. At most take-out places entree salads such as chicken Caesar or chef’s salad will set you back about $8. You can spend more at table service restaurants such as TGI Friday’s or Chili’s, but it’s nice to know that you don’t have to default to a hot dog or soft pretzel if it’s time for lunch.
That brings me to meal timing and the inevitable unknowns of air travel.
Here are a few tips for healthier eating to keep your stamina up and stress levels down while navigating the nation’s airports this holiday season.
Pre-flight plan
● Eat before you go. Time allowing, have a good breakfast or lunch before you head to the airport, including a lean protein choice such as eggs, turkey, chicken, roast beef or fish. Protein will keep your blood sugar on an even keel for a few hours and your appetite in check so you’re not desperately hungry before takeoff.
● Did you know you can take most food items through security? Leave the beverages behind — you’ll have to buy those on the concourses — but, save money, time and trouble by bringing your own sandwiches or healthy snacks such a nuts, dried fruit, whole-wheat crackers and hard cheese. Note that the Transportation and Safety Administration provides a list of foods on its website that are not allowed, including creamy dips, soft spreadable cheeses and peanut butter. They fall into the disallowed category of “gel- like substances,” but I often travel with a container of Greek yogurt in my carry-on and it hasn’t been a problem.
A special note on the TSA's website (www.tsa.gov/travelers /holiday) informs travelers: "You can bring pies and cakes through the security checkpoint, but please be advised that they are subject to additional screening." Guess that's if the chocolate cake you're bringing to grandma's house looks especially delicious.
Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!” E-mail her at carolyn@carolynoneil .com.
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