Unhealthy airport food, we have all had our share. Why? Because we’re stressed, we’re tired, and we don’t want any more inconvenience. Those traveling for holidays may be in ‘holiday mode,’ which means airport cocktails and unhealthy airport food!
Face it. An airport is a stressful place! Being faced with the loss of control, airport lines, crowds, and being under time constraints. Perhaps the anxiety of your plane crashing or some other airborne disaster makes most people a bit nasty while they travel. I’m getting anxious just writing this.
However, stressed the airport makes us, and even when you’re on vacation, it’s still essential to source out the healthier choices in the terminal.
More from VANE:
The Week’s Best Airport Food Finds: From SFO to Heathrow
Healthy Carry On Food Packs You Can Bring on an Airplane
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How to avoid eating unhealthy airport food
Here are some ways to shift your thinking about poor food choices as a result of the following situations:
But I’m on Vacation!
You may be on vacation, but your body has no idea. Being on vacation means that you can relax the rules a bit, but getting drunk at the airport bar or eating a double cheeseburger with a considerable milkshake isn’t going to make you feel anymore on vacation. It’s going to help start your holiday with a stomachache and one uncomfortable flight. Another side effect of eating a low fiber, high fat diet is constipation and flying compounds.
When dietitians go on vacation, we still follow the rules for the most part, but they’re more relaxed: and I’m not the only one who does this, according to this published article.
I Don’t Care, I’m Stressed.
After all the hoops you’ve jumped through to get to your gate, you should be stressed! But reaching for that substantial corned beef sandwich is the wrong approach. High-fat meals combined with stress can cause your metabolism to slow, resulting in potential weight gain – especially in women, says this recent study. So don’t reach for those fries just yet.
Instead, try to find snacks that are high in the chill-out mineral, magnesium, which will help to keep you calm. High magnesium foods include nuts and seeds, avocado, edamame, bananas, and yogurt.
And all of these make fantastic snacks, too – whether you buy them at the airport or bring them from home in your carryon. A slice of whole-grain Ezekiel bread with avocado and cheddar is my mom’s go-to travel snack, and it’s now mine.
Healthy Airport Food is Expensive!
Ah, my least favorite excuse. Airport food is expensive, it’s true – and even fast-food chains have been known to jack up their prices in the terminal vs. at the mall. If you want to eat healthily, bring your snacks from home; cheese and crackers, trail mix, a sandwich – anything that travels well.
That way, you won’t be spending money on any food, healthy or unhealthy. If you choose not to bring your snacks and have to buy something, you might as well select health and spend your money on nutritious choices. You’ll feel better for it.
Happy Travels!
Abby
UPDATED March 8, 2018
