Healthy Eating at the Airport: Is It Possible?

As I sat in the airport last night, surrounded by the smell of fried foods, I couldn't help but ponder the unhealthy, unappealing food options that are available to us when we travel. Many of us make horrible choices when traveling due to the unavailability of healthy foods, lack of variety in airports, last-minute purchases, and stress caused by travel. As the man next to me dipped his Aunt Annie's pretzel-wrapped hotdog (not sure of the name of this "food item," but eeek!) into some sort of "sauce," I had the thought that a "tips for healthy airport eating" post was in order :)

Obviously, it's best when you can pack your own healthy snacks (bag of almonds, apple, favorite healthy protein bar, etc.), but when you're rushing out of the house at the last minute, stuffing items you forgot to pack in your suitcase into your purse, packing snacks may not be happening. So, what to do when you get to the airport and you're famished? Here are a few healthier suggestions :

• Buy mixed nuts or trail mix at a newsstand and munch on these before and during your flight (just watch out for the trail mixes with more chocolate candies than nuts and seeds...).
• If you're lucky enough to have an Einstein Brothers (or another somewhat-healthy-looking bagel shop) in the airport, pick up a whole wheat bagel with peanut butter or one of their egg & cheese (can also add turkey sausage) sandwiches on a whole wheat bagel. Delish and packs protein to keep you full!
• Sadly, in airports Starbucks can often be one of the healthier options. If this is the case, pick up one of their snack packs (my favorite is the hummus, chicken, and veggie pack), grab an oatmeal on the run, or some fruit and nuts.
• If you crave sweets when you travel (and many of us do!), grabbing a smoothie or healthy "sundae" at Freshens Yogurt, Smoothie King, or one of the many smoothie franchises at airports can be a great alternative!
• Look for a burrito place. Often getting a simple black bean, cheese, and rice burrito can be the healthiest option for dinner at the airport (and can hold you over until you get to your next destination!). Just be sure to stop when you get full, or you could have a long, uncomfortable full-bellied flight...
  

So, I hope that some of these tips help you to stay somewhat more healthy as you travel this summer! Have I conquered healthy airport eating? No. But, have I ever gotten a pretzel-dog with special sauce between flights? Nope, I'm happy to say I haven't :) Sometimes it's the small things...

Enjoy your Memorial Day!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine

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