Spring break has finally arrived! Many of you will be traveling, whether it be back home or to an exotic destination. If you happen to be traveling via airplane, you will have to face the dreaded long wait in the airport.
Airports, and I very hesitantly say this, can provide quality food if you are lucky enough to have a layover somewhere with options other than Mickey D’s. It is much more common for the airport to only provide greasy food, and if quality is provided, the food is often on the expensive side.
While there are a few chain establishments that offer quality snacks, you can also prepare a few of your own.
To be on the safe (and delicious) side, I suggest the following snack options.
• Almonds or other nuts
• Raisins
• Carrots
• Beef/Turkey/Soy Jerky
• Fruit (If you are flying internationally eat it before you go through customs!)
• Make your own trail mix using cereal, chocolate chips, pretzels, nuts and dried fruit.
• Cheese
Almonds, string cheese and jerky offer protein and will compliment any of the other snacks nicely to keep you satisfied longer until you can enjoy a meal at your final destination.
If you are gung-ho about avoiding airport food at any cost, make a sandwich (veggie or PB&J will last the longest during your trip and still taste fresh hours later.
Here are a few ways to help you think outside the box:
• Bring along tuna in a pouch and your favorite hummus. Mix those two together and you’ve got yourself a delicious tuna salad to slab between two slices of bread or spread on crackers.
• Pack your oats! Put a portion of oatmeal and your favorite mix-ins in a baggie and ask for a cup of hot water from the stewardess or find one at the nearest coffee shop. Let the oats “cook” for a few minutes and then enjoy!
• Don’t forget homemade breads, muffins or cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth when the afternoon slump hits and coffee cannot be found. Dark chocolate can also help during this crisis!
If prepping for the airport is not physically possible and it’s within your budget to eat at a restaurant, try to choose nutrient-rich snacks or meals. Avoid the cookies and pastries: you’ll feel great for an hour but then the “munchies” will takeover and you’ll have a sugar crash.
Here are a some of the best choices if you do get stuck eating typical airport fare.
• Starbucks? Grab a cup of oatmeal or one of their egg white wraps along with your latte.
• Jamba Juice? Stick to a small size smoothie for less sugar and add a shot of protein.
• McDonald’s? Grilled chicken sandwich with BBQ sauce.
• Panda Express? Mixed veggies and steamed rice.
• Pizza Hut? Buy a personal pizza, eat half and save the other half for later.
• Sushi? Nearly any roll will be a better option than a deep fried item you’ll find around every other corner.
Enjoy your travels, whether you are camping, swimming, lounging at home or discovering the Puget Sound area, and remember to snawck well and stay healthy!