Food on Planes- interesting lesson

Athena53

I've been eating leaner and healthier for the last couple of years and this was my first time on a long-haul in Coach (previous employer paid for Business Class transatlantic). I thought about what they might serve and when, and remembered American Airlines' crappy Coach class breakfast of yogurt with high-fructose corn syrup and a chewy, greasy thing shaped like a croissant and decided to bring my own provisions. Dinner was a sandwich from a place at O'Hare, but at least I could make sure it was heavy on fresh vegetables and light on processed meats. Bonus- I ate when I wanted to eat, and didn't have to sit with all the empty dishes on the tray table in front of me and wait for the flight attendant to collect them. I know I would have eaten all the stuff they put in front of me because I was bored and hey, it's food.

Breakfast was hummus and pretzels (3.5 oz. of hummus, in case the TSA claimed it was a liquid, which they didn't) and oatmeal made from oat bran flakes- I asked the flight attendant for a cup of hot water and a spoon. She also supplied coffee.

I'm headed back home Wednesday and plan to do the same thing. Yeah, airport food is a huge ripoff, but I really loved being able to choose healthier optins and eat what I wanted when I wanted it.

Of course, when DH and I fly to Paris in May (on miles) I think I'll let them feed me!

Mokey41

My trip to Africa last spring was a 24 hour fast. The food was absolutely disgusting and there was nothing open on my layover but a McD's so I survived on a few granola bars I had tucked in my carry on. I'd highly recommend anyone flying these days to take along some food!

raystark

I've been eating leaner and healthier for the last couple of years and this was my first time on a long-haul in Coach (previous employer paid for Business Class transatlantic). I thought about what they might serve and when, and remembered American Airlines' crappy Coach class breakfast of yogurt with high-fructose corn syrup and a chewy, greasy thing shaped like a croissant and decided to bring my own provisions. Dinner was a sandwich from a place at O'Hare, but at least I could make sure it was heavy on fresh vegetables and light on processed meats. Bonus- I ate when I wanted to eat, and didn't have to sit with all the empty dishes on the tray table in front of me and wait for the flight attendant to collect them. I know I would have eaten all the stuff they put in front of me because I was bored and hey, it's food.

Breakfast was hummus and pretzels (3.5 oz. of hummus, in case the TSA claimed it was a liquid, which they didn't) and oatmeal made from oat bran flakes- I asked the flight attendant for a cup of hot water and a spoon. She also supplied coffee.

I'm headed back home Wednesday and plan to do the same thing. Yeah, airport food is a huge ripoff, but I really loved being able to choose healthier optins and eat what I wanted when I wanted it.

Of course, when DH and I fly to Paris in May (on miles) I think I'll let them feed me!

I have had good lunch on long flights by ordering the Kosher meal the airline offers - and they all offer a Kosher alternative - always tasty and fresh AND you get served before all the regular pre-packaged meals get handed out.! BTW - Order a day or two before your flight so they have time to get it on the meal chart.

summer8it

When I fly, I will often pack my own food or buy something on the way to the airport. I've never had a problem carrying food through TSA, as long as it's not something liquid like soup. But sandwiches, salads... no problem.

blues4miles

My issue with in flight food these days is the ridiculous cost. So much cheaper to bring my own food. Never really thought about the health side of things. Maybe really long flights feed you for free but I guess I haven't taken a long enough flight recently enough for that.

Hollisss

If it's a domestic flight I would bring my own snack. For international flights, I pick my meal a few days in advance and bring a snack!

peachynoir

When you book, a lot of airlines will provide you with the option to select a variety of 'special' meals... the 'Low-Calorie' meals are generally sufficient if you aren't able to BYO.

Athena53

I hadn't thought about the special meal (kosher or low-cal) option- you're depending on the airline to get it on board and find it. DH and I took a flight to Brazil (12 hours) once and the couple in fornt of us were observant Jews (very conservatively/traditionally dressed) and she was a nursing mother. They'd done everything they could to confirm that thier kosher meals were boarded and- guess what- there were none. The purser could only patch together some food from Business Class that complied iwth their dietary laws and there wasn't much of it.

Of my last 5 transatlantic flights (done over 2 years), 4 have landed over 2 hours late; my flight here to London was cancelled and I ended up going out a day late. I really don't trust them with details like special menus!