Tonight, as I blog, I’m just a tiny bit excited! This time next week I’ll be on my way to Shanghai all ready to fly home to England (for five whole weeks!)Much of this weekend will be spent getting ready and of course in my case preparations always extend to food! As I’m flying British Airways I thought it would be really simple to find healthy plane snacks and meals as like almost all airlines now, they offer special menus. However, alas! British airways offers a gluten free menu or a dairy free menu or a vegetarian menu. Hmmm, strictly a one dietary restriction per passenger it seems.
So, in preparation for the journey, I’ve gathered together the best healthy plane snacks. They’re all gluten free, dairy free, rubbish free and vegan. Luckily there are almost no food restrictions when carrying food on a plane as long as it’s not liquid or meat (which would be weird to rock up with some beef in your handbag even if it is grass fed ….)
1. Grab some miso soup powders for a quick and easy lunch. There are plenty around, just make sure they’re MSG free and gluten free like these ones from king soba.
2 and 3. Although you may wish to travel with a whole jar of nut butters, single servings are much easy to stash in your handbag. Justin’s almond butters come in sachets while meridan’s peanut butter comes in a very cute mini jar. Perfect with item 8 or who are we kidding… directly from a spoon!
4. At 200ml, these mini rice dream milks are over the 100ml but can easily divided into smaller liquid containers. Better yet, pop them in your suitcase. Perfect to take to breakfast each morning to enjoy alongside your museli or cereal.
5. Any snack bar by nakd is a great choice. They are full of pure goodness (just fruit and nuts) so they’re a great way of getting protein and nutrients on the go when you can’t get a full meal.
6. A few herbal tea bags are the perfect solution for an after meal drink. Many people suffer indigestion and general digestion discomfort in the air (the altitude does funny things to us….) so packing ginger or peppermint tea bags are a great choice and much better then the yukky long life milk tea usually on offer.
7. These veggie crisps should help you resist the urge to order the pringles (why are pringles always the crisp of choice on airplanes? Why are they so addictive once you’ve started? ) They’re full of veggies with a little salt and oil.
8. Oatcakes are an easy thing to pack and will keep you full, giving you a fibre boost. They are the perfect partner for the nut butters in your lunchbox.
So that’s my lunchbox sorted. What healthy plane snacks do you pack for a long haul flight? If you are looking for some tips on staying healthy once you land you can check out my healthy travel posts here.
Eating healthy on a long haul flight can be challenging, but it is possible. Here are some tips to help you make healthy choices while traveling:
Plan ahead and pack your own snacks. This will give you more control over what you eat and allow you to avoid processed and unhealthy snacks that are often available at airports and on flights. Good options include trail mix, fruits, veggies, and yogurt.
Stay hydrated. Dehydration is common on flights, so it’s important to drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which can dehydrate you further.
Choose healthier meal options. If you’re planning to eat a meal on the flight, choose options that are high in protein and fiber and low in fat and sodium. Grilled chicken or fish with veggies, a salad, or a whole grain sandwich are all good choices.
Avoid eating too much. The air pressure and limited movement on a flight can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Try to eat smaller, frequent meals rather than one large meal.
Get up and move around. Long haul flights can be sedentary, so make sure to get up and stretch your legs regularly. This can help prevent blood clots and improve circulation.
Overall, the key to eating healthy on a long haul flight is to plan ahead and make smart choices. By packing your own snacks and choosing healthy meal options, you can avoid the unhealthy options that are often available while traveling.