Hi Debra,
how about making one’s own airport food ahead and avoid $$$ styrophone corporate food! A yam and nuts and a green kale leaf, perhaps? Thanks! Best karen
Debra’s Answer
I do bring my own food when I fly, but I haven’t been on an airplane in a while. I usually take a bag of nuts to tide me over until I reach my destination.
But there are now actually some rules about what you can bring on a plane due to tighter security and this question prompted me to look them up.
If you go to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website, in the upper right corner it says “When I fly can I bring my…” and there is a box below. Enter “food” in the box and it will ask you more questions to narrow down the answer.
For example, under “snack foods” it says
If your snacks are pretzels, potato chips, dried fruit or other dry goods, you can take them in your carry-on or checked bag. Snack items that are liquids or gels, like pudding, jello or yogurt, etc., falls under the 3-1-1 rules for liquids for carry-on bags. They can be transported in checked bags.
The 3-1-1 rule for liquids is: you may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on bags only if they are in containers 3.4 ounces or less; packed in a 1 quart/liter zip-top bag; and 1 zip-top bag per person. Larger amounts of non-medicinal liquids, gels, and aerosols must be placed in checked baggage.
So it’s not so much WHAT you are eating, but HOW it is packed.
Turns out some people have really thought this through. Here are some articles that have ideas for foods, how to prepare them, and how to pack them, so your flight will be a pleasant, healthy, and tasty culinary experience.
THE NEW YORK TIMES: Pack a Picnic for Your Next Flight
FOOD BABE: What to Bring On Your Flight, So You Never Get Stick Eating Airport Food Ever Again (great ideas!)
USA TODAY: 10 Tasty Snacks You Can Bring On the Plane
PACKSMITH: What to Eat on the Fly: Airplane Snacks & Packing Tips
SARAH WILSON: What I Eat on Planes
Readers, what do you eat when you fly?
