There are many different approaches to air travel and whether you should feast or fast onboard. Personally, I eat everything that comes into close proximity, with a hunger and desperation that is linked to neither logic or reason. Perhaps it’s how I pass the time, settle my nerves or simply because I’m always hungry, but the truth is that overeating is not the right way to tackle a long-haul flight.
These are some tips on Healthy Eating for Air Travellers.
Healthy Eating for Air Travellers
It’s been said that food is either your best medicine or the slowest poison. With World Health Day approaching on Saturday 7 April, Luane Lavery, Brand Communication Manager for British Airways and kulula.com, offered the following advice for travellers. There are many approaches to air travel and whether you should feast or fast onboard.
Avoid Gassy Food and Drinks (except bubbly)
Some people find that foods with plenty of onions, cabbage and beans make them feel gassy and bloated, and these symptoms can be aggravated by air travel. If you’re affected in this way avoid these foods before flying to prevent discomfort for yourself – and other travellers. Some people find that sipping peppermint tea and cutting down on fizzy or sugary drinks ease these symptoms.
Remember to Hydrate
Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of single-use plastic and dropping a little cash on reusable bottles. You can carry yours onboard and the flight attendants will refill it for you when you need it. As a simple rule, sip 250ml of water for every hour on the plane.
Moderation rules
A glass of good wine or a perfectly chilled beer is an appropriate reward when travelling to be an ambassador for your business or to celebrate that well-earned holiday. Drinking the drinks-trolley dry is not? It’s bad for your health in many ways and you’ll feel poorly afterwards. Stick to the legal limit whether or not you’re driving after your flight and you’ll feel ready to enjoy what comes after your flight, whether it’s a presentation or vacation. The same applies to caffeine: one or two good, strong coffees are a treat; more than three can leave you jittery and nauseous. This is for your sake and your fellow travellers, nobody likes to be trapped next to a sloppy ‘drunk’.
Crunchy robot-coloured food always wins
Foods with crackle and crunch like carrots, lettuce, celery, apples and nuts have been shown to aid concentration, so if you need to finish that winning presentation on the plane, opt for these foods or arrange for them with the airline beforehand. You might not regard your body as a temple, but perhaps you should and avoiding food that will make you feel grim once airborne is a good start. Food that’s very greasy or starchy is a bad idea at the best of times, but eating it before a flight is particularly bad. Also, airline food is made under stringent controls, so it sometimes gets a bad rap, but there’s really been a marked improvement in quality over the last years and I really enjoy it.
Take time to fully appreicate what’s on offer next time you’re in the air.
Remember to let the airline know about your dietary requirements at least 48 hours before you fly: Diabetic, Low-fat, Gluten-free, Vegan, Hindu, Halal, Kosher or a special children’s meal can all be accommodated. Other special meals need at least 24 hours’ notice.
