Robin's Healthy Take: Tips for Eating Right on a Plane

Robin Miller's healthy snack ideas for summer travel includes tips for eating right on an airplane.

Related To:

robin miller's travel snacks

My blog post is kinda different this time because I'm traveling with my kids and thought it would be fun to talk about "healthy eats" on the road. This week we're flying, and if you've hit the air recently, you've experienced the food situation (or lack of it). On shorter flights, there's often nothing more than a tiny bag of peanuts or pretzels. Longer flights offer a "snack cart" where you can purchase fresh and pre-packaged food. The cart has a few healthy options but if you're sitting in the back and they run out mid-way through service, you're stuck with what's left (they seem to have an endless supply of chips and candy). When I travel with my boys, I don't take any chances; I pack a bunch of munchies and keep my credit card handy for healthy, fresh food on board. Grabbing something at the airport is also an option, but you have to search for healthy fare and then deal with really long lines while dragging your luggage (my kids won't stand still long enough for that). If you have more patience, opt for fresh sandwiches on whole grain bread. Get roast turkey, carved ham or grilled chicken and add lettuce and tomato. Go easy on mayo-based spreads; opt for grainy mustard instead.  Fresh salads are great too, just watch out for high-fat dressings and those topped with loads of meat and cheese (share those with your travel partners). Fresh fruit, fruit smoothies and bulk nuts, seeds and trail mix are also terrific choices.

travel snacks
For our trip, here's what I brought on board:
Peanut butter-filled pretzels
Raisins and dried cranberries
Unsalted almonds
Salted peanuts
Rice cakes
Cheese sticks
Granola bars (chewy and crunchy)
Fruit roll-ups (fruit leather is good too)
Corn nuts
Garlic and herb bread sticks
Sugar-free gum (for our ears!)
And here's what I purchased:
Fresh fruit and cheese plate

Next week we're going to an amusement park and festival before taking a major road trip so stay tuned for more travel tips! In the meantime, send me yours!

Robin Miller is a nutritionist, host of Quick Fix Meals, author of “Robin Rescues Dinner” and the busy mom of two active little boys. Her boys and great food are her passion. Check her out at www.robinrescuesdinner.com.

You Might Also Like:

Next Up

How to Make a Giant Creamsicle Cake This Summer

This jumbo pop is sure to make everyone smile.

Buy These Fruits Now and Preserve Them for Later

Canning jam is easy enough and means you can be eating summer fruit long past their market-fresh appearances.

6 Party-Ready Ways to Take Watermelon Off the Rind — Summer Soiree

Take watermelon off the rind in celebration-worthy recipes that will delight (and cool down) warm-weather gatherings.

These Easy Recipes Will Make Your Next Pool Party a Breeze

Everything will go just swimmingly with these creative ideas!

How to Make a Life-Sized Pineapple Cake This Summer

This may just be the sweetest pineapple you’ll ever eat.

Don't Break Up with Basil, But Blend Up These Non-Basil Pestos, Too

Pesto isn't just exclusive to basil anymore (or pricey pine nuts either); the summer staple can be made with really any green, and you can get even more creative by using sun-dried tomatoes and more unconventional picks.

8 Juicy Ways to Eat Peaches Before They're Gone — Summer Soiree

We wait all year to bite into juicy peaches, and now is the time they're at their peak, just waiting for you to take them home by the truckload.

A Complete Menu of No-Cook Recipes for the Whole Day

When it's too hot to turn on the heat, go for crazy-good no-cook summer recipes that make it possible for you to still eat homemade breakfasts, salads, soups and more.

What Do I Do with Zucchini Blossoms?

Zucchini blossoms are fragile and delicately flavored, a little sweeter and more ephemeral than the flavor of the squash itself.