Oh mi goodness! We will be in Chicago tomorrow! It has been over a year since we've been back in the states. We will be traveling through the states for the next 2 months... if you haven't yet, check out the RO4Y Tour dates! If we are coming into your area, please let me know! We love meeting and connecting with new people :o)
So... I thought it was about time I wrote up a post about preparing wholesome meals and snacks take on the airplane. We've been traveling back and forth enough times that I have a whole list of healthy stuff to choose from!
I typically carry on a small suitcase full of snacks & individual meals for us... we always end up with leftovers, but better that then have nothing!
Nowadays, it is hard to fly and feel great by the end of your trip. Flying really does take a lot out of you and on top of that... healthy food choices in the airports are pretty slim. That's why it is so important to plan ahead & bring your own healthy food and good water to strengthen your body to stand against the stress of traveling.
and simply fill up with free tap water. We love that it filters out the junk and lets us thoroughly quench our thirst. I always end up feeling more thirsting after drinking bottle water because it is purely dead, tasteless water and a total rip off.Now, I won't get started on the food because I think you all know the direction I'm going here, but one thing I've learned when traveling with my girls and hubby... is to load up on the good fats. Low-fat food makes cranky & tired kids! Which means don't overload on crackers, cookies and fruit. High carbs and sugar calls for hungry, emotional kids that will leave you exhausted & short-tempered by the time you arrive to your destination.
It really makes a difference to plan ahead and prepare your own meals & snacks to take on the airplane. Loading up on nourishing foods rich in good fats will have you & your family feeling good and satisfied wherever you go! When I say good fats, I'm talking about real butter, coconut oil, whole milk, real eggs, nuts and raw cheeses.
Before reading on... let me tell you from personal experience that you CAN bring your own food onto the plane! A friend once told me that it was against the rules, but I have not been told that directly from an airport staff.
Traveling In Style With Wholesome Food
Here's what I've packed for our plane trips over the last few years:
Savories
- Raw cheese
- Coconut rice & beans
- Cortido & fresh sour cream
- Hard-boiled eggs (girls love it with sea salt and fresh sour cream!)
- Fritatas in a sandwich or tortillas
- Soaked & dehydrated nuts - almonds, pecans, pistachios & cashews
- Salads w/ homemade dressing (yeah, my girls dig in them!)
- Fresh veggies - carrot sticks, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers & sliced avocado
- Raw, whole milk (I've had no problems carry on a small bottle of milk for each of my kids!)
- Popcorn - popped in coconut oil and topped with lots of butter (a little raw honey too!)
- Crackers - sourdough or soaked
- Raw honey, coconut oil & nut butter sandwiches (using sourdough english muffins)
- Beef jerky
- Plantain chips (can get at Trader Joe's)
Sweets
- Flourless Chocolate Almond Cookies
- Nut butter cookies
- Coconut Custard Cake
- Banana Bread
- Homemade granola (using soaked & ready oats)
- Strawberry Coconut Muffins
- Banana Coconut Muffins
- Carrot Molasses mini-muffins
- Fresh fruits - bananas, oranges, apples & mangoes
- Dried fruits - pineapple, mango, apples & raisins
- Larabars
(favorites: cherry pie
& apple pie
)
- Coconut cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Sourdough Cookies
I like to use my reusable sandwich bags
for packing our snacks and individual plastic containers
for our meals. For cleaning our hands I often just have us wash with water and then use natural hand sanitizer
, which smells so much better then the commercial kinds you see everywhere. I like to pump some into a small ziplock bag because of the restrictions on liquids.
Not only is this list good for traveling via airplanes and car, but it is great to always have these on hand and ready to go! I often try to have some of these made every week to take with us whenever we head into town or the city. If I don't, I end up buying plantain chips that only make my girls even more hungry and cranky!
A Penny For Your Thoughts
What do you like to bring for plane travels? Have any wholesome tips for us? Share your tips & ideas below in the comments section! I'm always looking for new ideas. Thanks!
