5 Tips To Packing Air Travel Meals
/
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, the visions of busy airports are dancing in my head. For many of us Christmas means a season of travel. Whether you are off on a sunny vacation to Hawaii or like me, a trip to the Great White North of Ontario, airport travel can be hectic.
To reduce my struggle with unexpected delays and missed connections, I pack all my meals. This saves money on expensive airport food, helps to clean out my fridge when I am leaving for a period of time and also helps reduce the waste we see on so many planes! I also love that it helps to keep me feeling fuelled and ready for travel days. Our bodies already struggle with the changes of travel and so it’s best to support with foods that fill you in the right way! I always pack my lunches with hydrating beverages, fibre rich foods and satiating fats and proteins! Packing your own meals means not being stuck eating foods that leave you feeling bloated, lethargic and parched!
Here are my Top 5 Tips to keep your travel food airport ready!
Waste: I love to have 1 nice set of cutlery I carry with me throughout travel. I chose this bamboo set that is lightweight and easy to clean. I wrap this with an elastic band in a cloth napkin and voila it’s an affordable and chic travel kit! I also pack my food into recyclable containers. I prefer to not have to lug tupperware with me throughout the trip so I opt to recycle when I land! I also have a nice mug that I use for all my hot beverages while on the plane and for elixirs while waiting in the airport. I simply ask a coffee shop for a bit of hot water! I also pack all my tea bags, fruits and odd and ends into a cloth grocery bag that keeps everything together when going through security!
Liquid: I don’t know about you but the most anxiety I get at security is always what’s in my lunch. I have had so many encounters around dips,yogurts, salads and dressings that I have now determined the foolproof way to travel with these items. Whenever I buy something that is in a jar labelled under 100ml (capers, sundried tomatoes etc) I save them and pack any liquid like substances into them! That way it’s easy for anyone at security to verify and send you on your way! I usually bring a powdered Elixir blend such as my Adaptogen Mylk Latte from Organika . Or a mix of dandy blend, cocoa and some cinnamon which just needs water and a bit of milk from the coffee bar added!
Where Are you going? Borders/Customs, what are you restricted from travelling with? Remember that International and Domestic Travel have different regulations which means your meal may have to look a bit different! Even if you can’t bring your typical citrus salad, there is still opportunity to buy the bare basics and bring your own customizable items. For example I will buy one of the small yogurts and bring rolled oats, dried nuts and seeds and add a bit of hot water once I pass through security! It’s fun to be a bit creative!
Fibre Rich Foods: It’s no surprise that air travel can slow things down a bit in the digestion department and that’s where fibre rich foods come in handy! Its important on travel days to pack your meals with some soluble and insoluble fibres! With breakfast you can do oats with some nuts, seeds and dried fruit! Lunch can be a kale salad with a sunflower dressing and crispy tempeh. Dinner can include a noodle bowl with zucchini noodles and lots of raw veg! By avoiding high starch foods and refined carbohydrates you can assist your body in keeping things flowing!
Hydration: Flying and stale air leave you feeling very dehydrated and so I always pack a few Nuun tablets, elixir blends, and a variety of herbal teas. Be sure to bring a cup that is good for hot + cold and then you can fill it as you need! These things will keep you hydrated throughout your trip and even help with jet lag!
I hope some of these tips can make for hppy and safe travelling this Holiday season!