Flying the Friendly (Healthy) Skies

I love airports because it usually means you're going somewhere.  It's either that or you're picking someone up, which is usually a good thing-- unless it's at a large airport like LAX and you have to waste an hour in traffic to get there.  That's typically not a good a thing unless you have a lot of patience.  I don't.

Everyone is going somewhere, to see someone, to do something.  You could be going home to see your family.  You could be meeting a loved one halfway.  You could be traveling across the world to someplace exotic and foreign.  Or you could be going somewhere familiar, and comforting.  Even under the worst circumstances, there's a light at the end of the runway.

Some people don't like traveling.  I don't know those people.  I like to take weekend trips and at least one fun vacation a year.  I've lived in my current location for a year, and so far I've left the state ten times.  A couple of trips were to neighboring states, while others were halfway across the country.  And I'm planning some big trips in the next few months.  If it were up to me (and a disposable income), I would spend a lifetime traveling and exploring the world.  That's not to say I don't want to settle somewhere.  I've done the backpacking around Europe thing, and after two months I missed home.  There is nothing like home base.  But every now and then, it's refreshing to leave.

When you're traveling, you will undoubtedly face obstacles: delays, missed connections, middle seats, lost luggage, boredom.  And if you have food allergies or special eating habits, finding the right food might be just another one to add to the list.  But it doesn't always have to be.

Most airlines are accommodating.  On long trips, you can request a special meal.  It used to be just vegetarian and meat, but now you can even request gluten free and vegan.  Shorter flights also offer more choices than soda and chips.  On United Airlines, you can get an organic snack box with crackers, fruit snacks, granola and apple chips.  Virgin Atlantic offers a veggies and dip tray with an impressive variety of vegetables, white bean avocado dip and gluten-free crackers, and an gourmet veggie wrap.  Delta has pita chips and hummus, and assorted fruit and cheese plates for purchase.

Over the years airports have gotten healthier too.  Sure, there's still McDonald's--which I won't touch based on principle, even if it's a salad or bottled water-- but now there are ethnic restaurants, lounges, wine bars, organic cafes and markets.  Minneapolis-St. Paul has French Meadow Bakery Cafe, an organic bakery with all-natural ingredients.  I love their veggie burger sans Swiss, and sub chive aioli for barbeque.  They also have a fantastic bbq tempeh wrap, which I have finally mastered in my own kitchen!  Chicago has Cibo Gourmet Market, which has tons of pre-made sandwiches, salads, noodle dishes and snacks.  There isn't only one option for vegetarians and vegans either-- they have tons of things to choose from.  I recommend the jerk tofu wrap.  It was incredibly spicy, but so delicious!!  Cibo Express is also found at Dulles, JFK, Reagan,  Laguardia, Orlando, Philadelphia, Logan, and Tucson airports. 

The bigger the city, the bigger the airport, the more options you're likely to have.  If you're stuck at a small airport with four gates, you may be out of luck.  In that case, you'll have to scour the gift shop for a nutrition bar and bottle of water.

This great website, Travel To Wellness, has more detailed information on healthy restaurants by airport.