Dieting At 35,000 Feet

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

04 Dec 2006 05:28 PM

Trying to stick to a diet is tough. Trying to stick to a diet during the holidays is even tougher. But, trying to stick to a diet while traveling by air during the holidays may be the toughest feat of all. In fact, according to a new study, many Americans fail when it comes to sticking to a healthy diet when traveling on a plane.

Nutritionists working for the website Diet Detective, recently reviewed the food offered by six major airlines. Here's what they found:

A United Airlines' (one of the two airlines I frequently fly on) snack box is filled with potato chips, salami and a cookie. According to the doctors, it sets passengers back more than 550 calories, and almost half a day's worth of sodium... and that's not even the scariest part. The Diet Detective found of the six major airlines, United offers some of the airline industry's healthiest options.

If you are a passenger on Delta Airlines you will be offered a snack basket that contains 766 calories in chips, peanut butter crackers, and other goodies. According to doctors, a passenger would have to walk for 3½ hours to burn off this snack, and they say the food doesn't even do its job--meaning items such as crackers and candy bars are empty calories, which don't make you feel full. What's more, most airlines don't provide nutritional information about their snacks, which makes it even harder for healthy eating passengers to make the right choice.

But cheer up; all is not lost at 35,000 feet---according to the study, healthier options are available. For example, the website found Jet Blue offers free individual bags of nuts and animal crackers. And United recently introduced a snack box called "rite bite," which features tuna, hummus and Gouda cheese.

By now you've probably deduced what the best approach to eating in the air is-bring your own food on board. Need some ideas? Consider these healthy, portable snack options: Whole-grain cereal, beef jerky, fresh or dried fruit, baked chips, pretzels, or GORP. But, most importantly, bring water, which must be bought after the security check. Doctors will be the first to tell you that dehydration can lead to jet lag, fatigue and hunger, which can make those unhealthy airline snacks seem all the more appetizing.

Related Articles:

New Menu Options at 35,000 Feet

No Such Thing As A Free Ride... Or Free Pretzels

In-Flight Meals--What You Will (Or Won't) Be Getting

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Katie-Anne Gustafsson (604) 18 Jan 2007 01:58 AM

Ahhh for the good ol' days of Air Canada with Salmon, steak and a nice desert!

Last time I flew transatlantic, the food was covered in peppers (I'm allergic and HAD told them beforehand) and so ate small bread rolls for 11 hours. Still could have been worse, they mightn't have had any bread!

I remember a few years back being given a banana as a snack about an hour from landing in the US on a transatlantic flight and everyone being told to eat them or leave them but they weren't allowed to take them into the US upon landing! That's about the strangest food related experience I've had (other than trying to identify what's actually in the box that is!).

Katie-Anne