9 Ways To Avoid Diet Turbulence At The Airport

I really am not a fan of fast food, except when I am at the airport. I think its a government plot to make me even fatter. Arriving at the airport 90 minutes or more before your flight with Au Bon Pain, Sbarro’s, Nathan’s,and more, it seems as an unfair test of my willpower. What is a weary traveler to do?

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Eating right can be tricky at the airport, but you don't have to break your diet when you travel. Fly lean and satisfied with these 9 tips I got from Merv Mail.   Merv Mail is my trainer’s blog. Be sure to stop by his blog for healthy living tips.

SKIP THE EXTRAS:
Watch out for foods that pack extra calories and fat. If you're getting a sandwich, you definitely want to avoid anything with cheese or sausage. Generally speaking, steer clear of any salads sounding item like tuna salad, chicken salad etc. because there usually loaded with mayonnaise or other specialty dressings. Also, try to pass on junk- food sides like chips and cookies, which can be full of unnecessary calories, fat, and sugar.

LOAD UP ON PRODUCE:
The tough part of eating healthy in airports is finding produce, but you can get a Sandwich with extra lettuce and tomato, and more & more side stands are offering whole fruit to go; Fruits and veggies are low in calories, so they won't break your calorie bank, and they're high in fiber, so they'll hold you over while you fly. They'll also give you a healthy boost of protective nutrients. Many vegetables are a good source of vitamins A and C. Be sure to eat the brightly colored ones—dark green and orange, which are often lacking in our diets.

AVOID SALT:
It's no secret that eating a lot of salt is bad for you, but it may be worse for frequent fliers. For those men who travel often, higher sodium foods may contribute to high blood pressure and fluid retention. What's worse is that we usually have no clue how much sodium is in the foods that we order. So if you choose to sit down at an airport restaurant, request no added salt from the chef, and reduce salt intake from 25-50%.

SLOW DOWN:
We're usually in a mad rush at the airport, running between bag-check, Terminal This and Concourse That. We certainly don't want you to miss your flight, but slow down when it comes to eating. Take time to enjoy your meal and chew it well inhaling even the most nutritious meal will likely make you feel uncomfortable, bloated and unsatisfied. So savor every bite.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK:
Once you know which terminal you're flying out of, do some research—all eateries and their locations within the airport are listed online. Some airports even have the restaurants' menus on their website. Chains like Au Bon Pain and McDonalds even have the nutritional information for their options on their websites. If you know where the healthy options are, you're less likely to make poor choices when you travel.

STAY SOBER:
Airport sports bars may look promising when you're flight gets delayed, but try to avoid drinking when you fly. Aside from being a lot of empty calories, alcohol can dehydrate you, leaving you with major headaches (not to mention mile-high hangovers). Feel free to put your feet up with a Guinness once you hit the ground.

EAT OFTEN:
Eating in regular intervals is important to maintain blood sugar levels, satiety, and keep your energy high while you travel. We should not go longer than 4 hours between meals If the flight is longer, grab two small sandwiches.

EAT BALANCED MEALS:
Traveling can be unpredictable, but try to eat portions that are balanced. One of the goals of eating when traveling is a meal with moderate amounts of lean protein and carbohydrates with fiber, These meals help digest foods in a slow and steady way to release that needed energy when you arrive at your destination.

PACK YOUR SNACKS:
Don't be afraid to bring stuff from home. It saves money, time, and you know exactly what you are eating. You can also pack healthy snacks from airport shops—stick to the basics and grab an individual cup of hummus, a bag of ready-to-eat crudite, a hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit to bring with you on the plane. That way, you won't have to deal with soggy airplane dinners.

“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE IMPOSSIBLE AND THE POSSIBLE LIES IN A PERSON’S DETERMINATION”