Good-For-You Air Travel Eating Habits

Eating healthy can be delicious and rewarding, but it can also be a bit difficult to maintain at times, especially on family travel. When traveling by plane, a few simple steps can make a world of difference, both in how you feel during and after the flight.

If you take a long-haul flight that will include at least one meal and require a certain diet for health or religious reasons, be sure to contact the airline ahead of time to request a special diet. Most airlines can accommodate a wide range of diets such as diabetic, vegan, gluten free and kosher, just to name a few. Be sure to make these arrangements with the airline ahead of time as these meals need to be pre-ordered.

Consider a fast during the flight. Aside from the fact airplane food never tastes as good as it should (studies show this has to do with the effect of cabin pressure on the taste buds and has nothing to do with the quality of the food), many experts agree avoiding food and sticking strictly with water helps avoid jetlag.

Speaking of water, be sure to drink plenty. It’s true that what comes in, must come out, and those airplane bathrooms aren’t fun to frequent, but your skin will thank you for it later. The air in plane cabins is notorious for drying out the skin, so fight it from the inside out. Be sure to bring along reusable water bottles for the family. Fill them up at the airport before take-off and ask the flight attendants to refill them as needed so you stay hydrated.

Since fasting isn’t for everyone and can be especially difficult on long flights and for young travelers, pack plenty of snacks low in fat and salt and high in protein. These will help you and the family curb cravings without having to resort to the empty carbs and high sodium often found in airline snacks like pretzels, chips and cookies.

You’ll find these practices are well-worth the effort when you arrive at your destination healthy, happy and ready to have fun!