Showing posts with label airplane food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label airplane food. Show all posts

December 23, 2008

Supersize Skies

I arrived to my home country of Argentina earlier today.

There are certain things I can always count on during my annual December trip: ninety degree weather, daylight past 9 PM, and looks of confusion when I mention things like "tofu," "seitan," "hummus," and "vegan desserts."

Prior to arriving to Buenos Aires, I flew from New York City to Miami.

I found the on-board snack choices quite interesting.

We coach-class passengers could purchase a jumbo 450-calorie cookie for $3, an entire container of Lay's Stax for that same amount, or a cheese/nut/raisin platter for $4.

The platter aside (which, nutritionally speaking, I was very satisfied with,) we are looking at jumbo portions being the ONLY options.

As Brian Wansink and others have found, when food is in front of us, we are highly susceptible to eating it in its entirety, regardless of our hunger level.

It boggles my mind that instead of offering, say, a 200 calorie bag of potato chips, the only option provided to passengers is a tube containining eight 150 calorie servings!

Since some of these flights last 3 or more hours, it is completely feasible that what starts out as a desire for a small nibble could easily turn into intermittent snacking on three or four servings of potato chips.
This is why I always recommending bringing your own healthy snacks on board. You'll save money -- and unnecessary calories!

June 29, 2007

Numbers Game: Answer

An investigation by Efit.com revealed that the average airplane meal provides 1,200 calories, 50 grams of fat, and 2,000 milligrams of sodium.

That's 87 percent of the maximum sodium recommendation in just one (rather bland) meal.

How can you fix this? Here are my suggestions.

Two days before your flight, check out your airline's website to see what special meals they offer. Many airlines allow you to choose from a variety, ranging from vegetarian to low fat to high fiber! As an added bonus, special meals are usually delivered to fliers before that dreaded cart starts hitting the knees and elbows of everyone with an aisle seat.

Also, take healthy snacks on board with you. Bring some raw nuts, whole wheat crackers, and healthy bars like Lara or Clif Nectar.

June 25, 2007

Numbers Game: The Friendly (and Fattening) Skies

An investigation by Efit.com revealed that the average airplane meal provides _______ calories, ____ grams of fat, and _______ milligrams of sodium.


a) 1,050/50/2,000
b) 1,200/40/1,500
c) 900/70/1,700
d) 1,500/85/2,500

Leave your guess in the "comments" section and come back on Thursday for the answer.