4 surprising snacks you shouldn’t pack in your carry-on, according to flight attendants

Before you pack your carry-on, find out which snacks flight attendants recommend leaving at home.

Key Points

• Some go-to travel snacks may cause unexpected issues at security or once you’re on the plane.
• Flight attendants recommend following TSA rules and being mindful of others when packing snacks.
• The best travel snacks are easy to eat, low-odor, not too messy and realistic for your needs.

Packing snacks for a flight is usually a smart move. Airport food can be expensive, and in-flight options are often limited. But before you toss your favorite snack into your carry-on, it’s worth knowing that some foods can cause unexpected issues at airport security—or once you’re on the plane.

That’s because some common travel snacks fall into a gray area. A snack may seem harmless when you toss it into your bag, but foods with a spreadable, creamy or gel-like texture may be treated as liquids by the Transportation Security Administration, meaning they could be subject to the agency’s 3.4-ounce limit. Other snacks may technically make it through security but can be messy, pungent or otherwise unpleasant to eat in a crowded airplane cabin. 

We asked flight attendants which snacks are most likely to cause issues at security or on the plane, plus what to pack instead.

1. Nut Butters

Peanut butter may seem like one of the most reliable travel snacks. It’s shelf-stable, satisfying and easy to pair with crackers or fruit. But be mindful of how much you pack. “A jar of peanut butter does not get treated the same way as peanut butter on a sandwich at airport security,” explains Alaska Airlines flight attendant Amber Gleason.

TSA’s 3-1-1 rule applies not only to liquids, but also to gels, creams and pastes in carry-on bags. Since peanut butter is considered a spreadable paste, a full-size jar in your carry-on is likely to be flagged and confiscated. If you want to bring nut butter on your trip, opt for single-serve packets that are 3.4 ounces or less and fit inside your quart-size liquids bag.

Nut butter can still be a smart travel snack, especially when paired with a fiber-rich food like whole-grain crackers, apple slices or a banana. The key is choosing a format that fits TSA rules. Another option is to make the snack more solid before you leave home, such as spreading peanut butter on a sandwich or incorporating it into homemade energy bites.

2. Guacamole, Hummus & Other Creamy Dips

Guacamole and hummus can seem like perfect airport snacks. They pair well with vegetables, whole-grain crackers and pita chips, while providing fiber and healthy fats that can help keep you satisfied. The problem is that these foods are creamy and spreadable, so larger containers may be subject to TSA’s liquids and gels restrictions.

Kacey Rippentrop, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant, says guacamole is one snack travelers may not realize can cause problems at security. The same applies to hummus, salsa, bean dip, spinach dip and other creamy dip-style foods. According to TSA, liquid and gel food items larger than 3.4 ounces are not allowed in carry-on bags.

If you’re looking for a dip-style snack, choose a sealed, single-serve container that is 3.4 ounces or smaller and pack it in your liquids bag. Another option is to purchase hummus, guacamole or a yogurt-based dip after security, says Rippentrop. She recommends packing the dippers from home—such as carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, crackers or pita chips—then purchasing the dip once you’re through the checkpoint.

3. Fragrant Foods

Some snacks are technically allowed through security, but may not be the best idea for a crowded flight. Tuna packets, hard-boiled eggs, onion-heavy salads and foods loaded with garlic can quickly make their presence known once you’re seated in a packed cabin.

“If it’s aromatic, skip it,” says Katie Andrews, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant. Fellow flight attendant Gleason agrees. “You can tell when someone brings something stinky because you look around and you can tell people are annoyed,” she says.

This is where the definition of “can’t pack” has less to do with TSA rules and more to do with travel etiquette. Foods like tuna and hard-boiled eggs can be nutritious, protein-rich snacks, but their strong odors can linger in a confined space and affect the experience of those around you. If you want a savory, protein-rich option, consider lower-odor choices like roasted chickpeas, unsalted nuts, trail mix or cheese crackers.

4. Alcoholic Drinks & Snacks

Alcohol can be surprisingly confusing when it comes to air travel, because airport security rules and in-flight rules are not the same. Mini bottles of alcohol can pass through TSA if they comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, but that doesn’t mean you can drink them on the plane. According to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, passengers may not consume alcohol on board unless it is served by the airline. Additionally, alcoholic beverages that are over 140 proof are prohibited in both carry-on or checked bags.

Gleason says alcohol is one of the more common items travelers misunderstand. Even if a mini bottle makes it through security, opening it during the flight is against the rules unless the alcohol was provided by the airline. The same TSA restrictions that apply to liquids and gels may also affect certain boozy snacks or alcohol-infused foods with liquid fillings, so it’s best to save them for your checked bag or skip them.

Tips for Packing a Carry-On-Friendly Snack

Packing snacks for a flight is still worth it, especially if you have food allergies, celiac disease or other dietary needs. “We have limited options on board, so if you have allergies, make sure to bring something with you that you know you can eat,” says Gleason.

• Choose solids first. Bars, trail mix, whole fruit, crackers, dry cereal and roasted chickpeas are safer options to pack than creamy or liquid foods. Solid foods are generally allowed in carry-on bags.
• Use the 3.4-ounce rule for creamy foods. Nut butter, hummus, guacamole, yogurt and dressings should be packed in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and placed in your quart-size liquids bag.
• Keep cold foods cold. If you pack perishable foods, use an insulated bag and frozen ice packs. Make sure ice packs are frozen solid when you arrive at security, since slushy or partially melted packs may be treated as liquids.
• Bring something you can actually eat. If you have allergies or specific dietary needs, do not rely on the plane or airport to have safe options. Pack a shelf-stable snack you know works for you.
• Bring a water bottle. Pack it empty, then fill it after security. Staying hydrated can also help with avoiding traveler’s constipation when you are choosing higher-fiber snacks like nuts, fruit, whole-grain crackers or roasted chickpeas.

Our Expert Take

The snacks most likely to cause problems in a carry-on are not always the least healthy ones. Peanut butter, hummus, and yogurt dips can all be nutritious, satisfying choices, but TSA may treat them as liquids if they are in larger containers. If you want to bring them, keep portions to 3.4 ounces or less and pack them in your liquids bag, or buy them after security.

Once you are on the plane, think beyond the TSA rules. Flight attendants say the best travel snacks are easy to eat, low-odor, not too messy and realistic for your needs. That is especially important if you have allergies or dietary restrictions, since onboard choices may be limited. A little planning can help you avoid losing your snack at security, overpaying at the airport or becoming the person everyone notices for the wrong reason.

Read the original article on EatingWell