healthy meals for airplane travel?

[Anonymous]

We're taking a coast-to-coast flight, are want to bring some semblance of lunch on board. What healthy options will make it through TSA, will be fine without refrigeration for several hours, and won't annoy other travelers?

Healthy snacks are easy, but something more substantial is pretty difficult. I'm always frustrated by the lack of healthy options at National, that we can buy and take on board...

[Anonymous]

We've brought cheese sandwiches (non-stinky cheese of course) or we just bring cut up cheese/cheese sticks, pretzels, crackers, beef jerky, cut up veggies, fruit. I know those are all snacky things, but put together they become pretty substantial. We bring Nalgene bottles and fill them after security-or you can rely on the drinks from the plane.

[Anonymous]

Hummus to go packs are great. Bring a few, plus some slices of bread, add slices of cucumber (packed separately--assemble before eating) and you have a decent lunch.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. I usually don't bother with making sandwiches. Pack an assortment of finger foods including crackers or pretzels, possibly some of the shelf-stable salami you can get at the grocery store, cut up fruits and veggies. For a flight that long, throw in a piece of chocolate, or for kids a lollipop since it will last longer, as a treat to look forward to when you're flying over Colorado and still have more than an hour to go.

[Anonymous]

PB&J ..it is the only time I eat it but perfect travel. All natural PJ, 100%fruit jam on whole wheat bread..no refrigeration required.

Another trick I recently learned...if you want to bring something that needs to be cold (mayo or cheese), you can't bring a gel pack and you can only bring very solidly frozen ice..but you can freeze an apple. It stays cold for a long time to keep your other things cool. And then it is mushy and you can toss it.

[Anonymous]

NP here great idea on the apple! Thanks. FYI, I flew yesterday with a tiny cooler, cheese sticks, and an ice pack.

[Anonymous]

Packets of instant oatmeal, plastic spoon and a disposable bowl. Ask your flight attendant for a cup of hot water.

Cheese and crackers. I also second hummus & veggies.

Salad with mixed veggies and chickpeas. Pack an oil/vinegar dressing separately, assemble on board.

[Anonymous]

Apples, grapes, cheese sticks, cut up veggies, crackers, granola bars, kashi cereal, nuts...and an empty water bottle.

Hummus and salad dressing are iffy depending on how much. My general definition of what might count as a liquid or gel is "can I wrap it in a paper napkin?"

[Anonymous]

i took a quinoa salad dish one time. it didn't have meat or cheese.

[Anonymous]

Cold noodle salads, rice paper rolls.

[Anonymous]

Freeze dried camping meals. It's light, kids love them, and easy. Just ask for hit water and in like ten minutes you have a hot meal. Just bring a spoon.

[Anonymous]

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-High-Freeze-Dried-Chicken/dp/B001LK8GXQ

http://www.thereadystore.com/food-storage/brand/mountain-house

[Anonymous]

Yep, they are great for traveling with kids. We always carry a few just in case. You can get hot water at a most places and in a few minutes they are eating their favorite paste.

[Anonymous]

PB&J always!! Been doing this since college

[Anonymous]

If you go to 101cookbooks.com and search "flight," you can find a lot of great ideas (http://www.101cookbooks.com/search.html?q=flight). I have to admit that I have never flown with any of these recipes (I go the fruit/Larabar/snack food route), but everything I've ever made from this site has been a hit, and they all look good!