Traveling can be a stressful experience, and one that is way more challenging when your tummy is rumbling!
The food and snacks you bring on board your flight can make or break your whole experience. But first, let’s go over some basic rules for plane snacking.
First, remember not to bring anything that smells really strongly. The air is being circulated constantly in a plane, and within minutes everyone on board could be sharing that tuna snack with you!
Second, avoid any snacks that are too messy. That includes liquids (which you can’t usually bring past security anyway), or anything saucy that will get all over your hands.
Third, avoid snacks that are too noisy. This could mean avoiding crinkly wrappers, or extra crunchy chips – of course, it also comes down to how you eat those snacks, so proceed with prudence.
With these few simple tips, you can make sure your flight is a tasty and enjoyable experience! Now, let’s go over the best categories of snack to bring on your flight.
1. Fresh fruit
Fresh fruit is an excellent snack choice for airplanes. Not only is it healthy, providing you with lots of vitamins and minerals to get you through your journey, but it’s also lightweight and easy to transport.
To avoid needing a knife on the plane, cut up your snacks ahead of time and put them in resealable bags or containers. A great trick for packing apples is to slice it into quarters, then use a rubber band to hold the pieces together in the original apple shape. Easy transport and very little to clean up!
Fruit is also helpful in staying hydrated during your flight, which is important as that cabin air can dry you out quickly. Pair it with lots of water – refill your bottle in the airport before boarding for convenience!
2. Nuts and trail mix
Nuts and trail mix are small, lightweight, and provide you with a great source of energy – all of which make it ideal for snacking on a plane!
Nuts are packed with healthy fats, protein, and minerals like magnesium which will help fight fatigue and keep you energized throughout your flight.
Trail mix has these same benefits, but you can add in little treats (if you mix your own) like M&Ms, yogurt-coated fruit, or chocolate chips to make it more fun!
If your mix includes peanuts, be aware that this is a fairly common allergen and you might want to skip it for the safety of your fellow passengers.
Trail mix and nuts don’t take up a lot of space, making them perfect to slip into your carry-on bag.
3. Protein bars
Protein bars are a great option for a plane snack as they are convenient, nutritious, and filling.
They can help you avoid the temptation of the unhealthy snacks and meals offered onboard, while also supplying you with energy and nutrients to keep you going on a long journey.
When selecting a protein bar, look for ones that contain natural sources of carbohydrates and protein such as nuts, oats, and dried fruits.
Additionally, look for bars with healthy fats and whole grain ingredients like chia seeds, flax seeds, and coconut oil. These ingredients will provide you with sustained energy and keep you full for longer.
4. Popcorn
Though this can risk being a little messy, popcorn is a great snack for airplanes because its lightweight, non-greasy, and doesn’t have a strong smell.
It’s also a great source of fiber, relatively low in calories, and won’t leave you feeling overly full or uncomfortable.
It’s also easy to much on without too much noise, which is helpful on long packed flights.
You can also season your popcorn in a variety of different ways. Make sweet popcorn with sugar and cinnamon, or savoury popcorn with cheese, garlic and herbs.
No matter what your taste preferences, there’s a way you can customize popcorn for your flight! Tuck it into a quiet resealable pouch for easy access in your carry-on bag.
5. Sandwiches
Sandwiches are easy to make at home and bring, or pick up in one of the shops at the airport before your flight.
Inherently easy to eat on the go, sandwiches are a great choice because of their convenience and nutritional spectrum.
They can be made ahead of time, with healthy and delicious ingredients, and don’t require heating or cooling before eating.
They can be as simple or complex as you want, and you can include a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and spread options. This will give you all the energy, protein, and other important nutrients you need for a long trip!
Sandwiches are also usually more affordable than other on-the-go meals, which can help a lot with your travel budget.
6. Cheese and crackers
Cheese and crackers make a great plane snack! Not only are they lightweight and easy to pack, but will fill you up with the important combo of carbs, fats, and protein.
Pick a cheese that you love and pair it with a variety of crackers for different fibre options on the go.
You can mix up the varieties for different flavour combinations as well, making this a really versatile snack. Add in some pre-washed grapes, and you’ve got a plane picnic ready to go!
If you want to make this a little healthier, opt for whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese options.
7. Vegetable chips
Instead of grabbing regular potato chips, try taking some interesting vegetable chips on your flight instead!
These chips usually come in different textures, and may be a little quieter to snack on during your flight.
Unlike greasy potato chips and other salty snacks, vegetable chips are made from real vegetables such as kale, beets, sweet potatoes, and carrots.
Not only are these healthy chips packed with flavour, but they also provide essential vitamins and minerals to keep you energized during your flight.
Additionally, there are so many varieties to choose from! Pick the one that best suits your tastes, or experiment with something new.
Some of the most popular flavours include lightly-salted kale chips, beet chips, barbeque-flavoured sweet potato chips, and spicy carrot chips.
8. Beef jerky
A great source of protein for your in-flight snack is beef jerky. It’s lightweight, doesn’t take up much space, and it won’t go bad without heat or cooling.
It’s also easy to eat, not requiring utensils or any complex packaging.
Eating protein on a long plane trip is a good idea because it will provide you with extra energy that can help fight off jet lag at the end of your journey.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, there are meatless jerky options out there. Consider whether these options have the protein quality that you’re looking for, or if there is a better meat-free protein option (like protein bars) out there.
No matter what kind of jerky you pick, there is a huge range of flavours, spice levels, and varieties for you to try to keep your snack time interesting.
9. Granola bars
Like protein bars, granola bars are a great plane snack due to their convenience and nutritional value.
They are super easy to transport and pack, making them a great option if weight is your concern.
They’re also great to have in your bag in case it’s hard to find something to eat right away at your destination! If your flight is arriving in the middle of the night, you might find yourself hungry before going to bed. A few packed granola bars can save the day.
Granola bars are also filled with healthy grains, nuts, and dried fruits, making them a great snack to keep you energized in the air.
Not only that, but they come in a variety of flavours, so you can find the perfect bar to suit your tastes. There’s something out there for everyone!
10. Dried fruits
Finally, dried fruits are a fan favourite plane snack, and for a good reason.
Easy to transport and pack, dried fruits provide much of the same enjoyment as gummy candies or sugary snacks, but without the unhealthy ingrdients.
Dried fruits contain lots of vitamins and minerals and are a great source of dietary fibre, making them a healthy and filling snack.
Also, dried fruit is long-lasting and doesn’t require any refrigeration, so you can take it with you without any concerns. It’s also a great snack to keep in your bag if your holiday includes a lot of public transportation or wait times.
With a variety of flavors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, so you’re sure to have a delicious snack that will keep you full and energized until you land.
When it comes to snacking on a plane, it’s important to remember a few key things.
First, it’s important to plan ahead and bring snacks that don’t require refrigeration or reheating.
Second, it’s important to stay mindful of the space you have and the snacks you bring.
Last, it’s important to remember that it’s always a good idea to have a few healthy snacks on hand to help keep you feeling energized throughout your flight.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to make the most of your plane snacks and have a safe, enjoyable flight!
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