FACED with the tensions of air travel these days -- the rules that change at a moment's notice, the lines that seem never to grow shorter, the absence of on-board sustenance -- even the most healthful eaters may be tempted to find solace in Twinkies.
Before you opt for the get-me-some-comfort-food-now! approach to stress reduction, consider other options. Here are some strategies from experts who can help you quash jitters and hunger pangs and can suggest healthful take-along food that won't clog your arteries or boost your belly fat.
Problem: The Transportation Security Administration has banned passengers from carrying liquids on board, including water and other beverages.
Solution: Focus on staying well-hydrated the day before your flight, says Dr. Michael Steelman, chairman of the board of trustees for the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, based in Aurora, Colo. Drink six or more glasses of water and avoid dehydrating beverages, such as alcohol and caffeine-laden coffee or black tea.
Another reason to stay hydrated: "Mild dehydration can cause an increase in your appetite," Steelman says.
Problem: Longer wait times at the airport may mean hunger strikes while you're in line.
Solution: Before heading to the airport, eat a meal with fairly high amounts of protein, Steelman suggests. Adults should aim for 15 or 20 grams of protein, children about half that, he says. (A 3-ounce skinless chicken breast has 26 grams of protein.) If it's breakfast, he says, try an omelet made with an egg substitute or real eggs if your cholesterol levels are not a problem. (One whole egg has about 6.25 grams of protein, according to the American Egg Board.)
Or to keep yourself feeling full, eat something with a lot of fiber, such as a high-fiber cereal or old-fashioned oatmeal. "Not instant," Steelman says, because it tends to have too much sugar.
For a lunch or dinner pre-flight meal, eat a salad with grilled chicken or other meat to get enough protein, he says. The protein will stave off hunger pangs longer than if you eat a meal that is mostly high in carbohydrates.
Problem: Many airlines have cut back on on-board food; those that haven't often serve snacks that are high in fat and sugar. Furthermore, new TSA rules about what can and cannot be taken on board are confusing.
Solution: Pack healthful comfort-food snacks that meet TSA requirements.
