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A longtime flight attendant reveals the smartest snacks to pack, the foods to avoid, and the TSA mistake many travelers still make.
I am gearing up for a fun, yet undoubtedly stressful, summer travel season with my two girls, ages three and one. While they are excellent fliers, they are also tiny little snack monsters. They're always looking for something to munch on, especially when our schedules are out of whack due to early wake-up calls or long TSA lines.
Since I wanted to find new nibbling ideas to throw in my carry-on, I decided to reach out to a flight attendant friend of mine, Brett Youmans, a 37-year veteran and accomplished, award-winning cook. I knew he would have all the insider tips for the most delicious treats to bring on board for my next flight.
Why a Well-Stocked Carry-On is Essential
Youmans says, "A little snack preplanning can make all the difference when hunger strikes at 35,000 feet in the air. Since air travel can sometimes be unpredictable, a little forethought can remove some of the stress when there's a hiccup to the schedule."
No one knows better than a flight attendant that cabin air can be very dehydrating. That's why he recommends hydrating snacks that aren't overly salty. Brett says, "Some excellent choices are dried fruit, trail mix, fresh grapes, individually packaged cheese and crackers, and protein bars. Also, flavor-boosting or electrolyte packets for your water bottle are a great option because staying hydrated is important, especially on longer flights."
The Do's and Don'ts of On-Board Snacking
From a crew perspective, the best in-flight snacks are the ones that don't end up all over you or your seat, or get crushed in the carpeting, within five minutes of opening. With toddlers, avoiding messes is top of mind. Youmans also gently reminds all of us to avoid anything with an aroma that lingers long after it is consumed. Just say no to that tuna or egg-salad sandwich when we are all breathing the same recycled air.
Youmans also brought up some points I hadn't considered. He said, "While most airlines don't count a bag of food against your carry-on allowance, TSA regulations do prohibit some things at security checkpoints. Hummus, peanut butter, dips, and spreadable cheeses are considered liquids and will not be allowed through the screening process unless they meet the liquid limitations that passengers are allowed."
Trader Joe's Secret Weapon for Savvy Travelers
Brett says many of the snacks in his travel bag come from Trader Joe's. He loves "Everything But the Bagel Nut Duo" and "Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups," but one item from TJ's is his secret weapon as a seasoned globe-trotter: "Trader Joe's Five Seed Almond Bars."
This product is pure genius because it checks all the boxes he needs in a smart travel snack, with the bonus of versatility. Imagine an Italian biscotti and an omega-3-packed granola bar came together to form a crunchy, chewy, and wholesome cookie that is perfect for any time of day.
They taste great with a cup of tea or coffee for breakfast, or crumbled into yogurt to upgrade an afternoon snack. With every hearty bite filled with flax, sesame, poppy, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds, these bars can even slide into a dessert course when paired with a glass of red wine. Brett summed it up, "I can't survive without those Trader Joe's Five Seed Almond Bars!"
Read the original article on Simply Recipes
