This past weekend I went to a conference in Miami Beach with my nutrition school. We had a blast while we were down there and I got to enjoy some sunshine and beach walking in between my classes. While I was flying home yesterday I was thinking how it can be seriously challenging to stick to a healthy eating routine when you’re on a trip…especially at the airport. There are tons of chips, candy, and fast food counters, but the fresh and healthy stuff can be hard to find when you’re surrounded by junk foods.
Ideally, we could all make homemade meals and snacks and have them packed in our carry on for the whole trip. But, who actually leaves time for that? Plus, if anything is liquid, it has to meet the 3-ounce or under rule. Most of us are left with whatever choices the airport offers. So, here’s a list of my favorite airport snacks. Keep them in mind on your next trip!
Nuts – Raw or roasted nuts such as cashews and almonds are usually easy to find at the airport. Look for them at the mini snack stations next to magazines, candy, and sodas. Unsalted or lightly salted varieties are best. Nuts are a filling snack packed with healthy fats and vitamins. Peanuts or cashews are usually the best healthy option during the flight too.
Bananas – Although it can be pretty hard to find fresh fruit at the airport, I can always spot a banana. Almost every convenience store in the airport carries them and they’re easy to throw in your bag when you’ve got a lot to carry. Bananas are cheap, filling, and provide a healthy dose of vitamins B6, C, fiber, and potassium.
Oatmeal @ Starbucks – Most airports have Starbucks in them, and they are now offering oatmeal during the morning hours. You can get a sensible portion of oatmeal for a few dollars with nuts or dried fruit to mix in. Yum!
Trail Mixes and Energy Bars – You have to be careful with these because they often contain added sugar and preservatives. But there are still some good options. Read the labels and look for all natural ingredients. A trail mix of nuts, dried fruit, and seeds is a great choice to keep you satisfied for a couple hours.
Water and Unsweetened Teas - I like to pick up a big bottle of water or get a large iced unsweet green tea when I’m at the airport. It helps keep me hydrated and less likely to overdo it on the snacks.
Fresh Juices or Smoothies – Most airports have at least one smoothie or fresh juice bar on-site. Look for all fruit varieties and pick the smallest size possible (it will be plenty). The fresh fruits will give you a healthy dose of vitamins needed to avoid colds and flu that we often pick up during travel times. Smoothies can be traps for excess sugar, so ask the counter person not to add any sugar syrup to your drink (they often do). The fresh fruits will make it plenty sweet.
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