Excitement often runs high when flying at 30,000 feet in the air. Passengers on airplanes have the option to bring their own light snacks and treats, or enjoy meals provided by the airline. However, experts caution air travelers to carefully choose their in-flight meals for the sake of health, hygiene, and courtesy.
In general, it is advisable to opt for light, easily digestible, and low-oil foods while onboard an aircraft, with special attention to staying hydrated. It’s best to avoid fried foods, spicy dishes, coffee, alcohol, and other items that may cause discomfort. It is also important to be aware of the airline’s regulations regarding carrying food to avoid issues during security checks.
Here are four types of foods that former flight attendants suggest passengers should avoid eating on airplanes.
According to former flight attendant Alex Quigley, the first thing to steer clear of on your next flight is that complimentary cup of tea or coffee.
He told “Delish” that the water used to brew coffee comes from onboard drinking water tanks, which may have lower cleaning frequencies.
He mentioned that the cleaning frequency of these water tanks cannot be determined currently, hence he recommends opting for bottled beverages.
Due to the changes in cabin pressure during air travel, bloating and stomach discomfort are common occurrences. Therefore, Josephine Remo, a former flight crew member with seven years of experience, strongly advises avoiding foods that can cause gas before and during flights.
During an interview with “Travel & Leisure” magazine, she explained that passengers are especially prone to indigestion. Her personal list of foods to avoid while flying includes onions, kale, legumes, red meat, lentils, gluten, and broccoli.
Remo also suggests steering clear of carbonated beverages as they can exacerbate in-flight bloating.
Former flight attendant Jacqueline Whitmore states that foods with strong odors or prone to spoilage should also be avoided.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, she pointed out that tuna sandwiches, egg salad, and fish entrees are among the foods with the heaviest scents in the enclosed cabin. Not only could these foods irritate other passengers’ noses, but improper storage temperatures could also lead to health issues.
Rich, creamy foods like fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, or macaroni and cheese are also on her list of foods to avoid because they may cause stomach discomfort at high altitudes.
In another interview with AllRecipes, Whitmore emphasized the importance of being considerate of passengers with allergies. She recommends refraining from bringing potentially allergenic foods, especially those that could trigger reactions in the aircraft cabin air, such as peanuts or peanut butter.
Passengers with food allergies (such as seafood, dairy, peanuts, etc.) can inform the airline in advance to see if special meals are necessary.
So, during long flights, which foods are safe to eat without harming digestion or affecting the comfort of neighboring passengers?
Experts recommend choosing easily packable, mild-tasting, and nutritious snacks such as dried fruits or fresh fruits, biscuits, pretzel sticks, cheese sticks, hummus and veggies, muffins, chocolates, candies, granola bars or protein bars, sandwiches, etc.
It’s important to note that fresh fruits, hummus, and certain foods may not pass TSA security checks in the U.S. and cannot be carried onboard.
Ultimately, eating sensibly in high altitudes is not just about warding off hunger, but also about preserving health, maintaining fresh air, and showing respect to fellow passengers.
As for the blandness of airplane meals, one explanation is that the low-pressure and dry environment in the cabin affect taste perception and smell sensitivity. Additionally, the strong low atmospheric pressure on airplanes can cause a feeling of fullness, which may result in food not being as flavorful.
Another phenomenon is that passengers often find the meat dishes on planes acceptable, but the vegetables are bland. One explanation is that seasoned vegetables that are cooked, cooled, and reheated may contain varying levels of nitrites, hence it’s better to leave them unseasoned. Airplane meals generally come with salt and pepper on the side.
(This article has referenced reporting from The Economic Times of India)