Travel Food, Part II: Airplane Food
So can you take food on an airplane?
From airplane food to acronynms, as it turns out there is a policy for just about everything. The acronym POPGUN stands for POlicies and Procedures Governing the Use of Nicknames. That is an acronym covering how to use other acronyms—you just cannot make this stuff up. So when it comes to what you can have with you beyond the security checkpoint, TSA has weighed in and you can find their stipulations here. So can you take food on an airplane?
Evidently you can take breast milk, baby formula and baby food when you are travelling with a baby–phew!
I do not know about you, but when it comes to food and drink I have an acute feeling of being trapped once I cross the security checkpoint. It is not just the price tag or the individually-wrapped milieu; it has more to do with healthy selections and variety. All that aspartame makes the $2.99 bottle of water look pretty appealing if it were not for the fact that it was $2.99. Try to imagine a vegetarian sitting at Ted Nugent’s dinner table—that is how I feel in a sea of hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup.
So why would you want to bring food on an airplane with you? A few reasons, first of all airlines have cut back on what they offered years ago in the way of complementary food. I like to check in with Summer Tomato for her perspective, and she has a great article on free food and its “perceived value.” Generally your choices are going to be main line (sandwiches, vegetables and pasta, meat and potatoes, etc) and I would certainly not rate all airlines the same. Every time I have caught a flight originating from Germany the food was pretty awesome, and other countries (that I will not name) left a lot to be desired.
Secondly, when you bring food on an airplane you can save money. I usually pack my carryon lightly, so if I can stuff a bag of nuts, some fruit or a sandwich in my carry on I look at that as saving money. Generally what you can get off of the airplane food cart is not going to be very filling or inexpensive. Space in an airplane galley is definitely at a premium meaning that flight line catering services are the sole source for your airplane food options.
Last, I know what I am eating. Examine these two labels below, what do they have in common? They are both one ingredient long—bonus! I am not sure how you could improve dates or peanuts with maltodextrin or sucralose but count me out for people trying to help nature on that one.
On my last trip, I took some pictures to help highlight some options. Here are my selections: dehydrated peaches, dates, peanuts, cheese and a sandwich. True, this may not be a spread for a dignitary coming to your house, but it filled the gap and got me back home again. Obviously the sandwich and the cheese will not keep; but as for the dates, dehydrated peaches and the peanuts can stay in the carryon since they store well giving me options later in case of a long delay.
I mentioned beverages earlier and that feeling of very few healthy selections once you are past the checkpoint. I am happy to report that juice is still on the beverage cart—again simple labels, easily pronounced ingredients keeps everything in dietary balance.
The verdict is in, you can take food on an airplane and you are not only limited to what is already behind the security checkpoint. What is more, is that there is good evidence (like this WebMD article–although some of the info is not up to date) that opting out of airplane food is better for you. If you have to travel, why not make it healthy? Bring your nutrient dense snacks and you will save money, know what you are eating, and be better prepared if/when you are delayed. Although you are without choices for beverages, airplane food really can be what you make it.
Wilson
Pro Deo et Patria
Photo Credits:
All photos by Pantry Paratus