The Foodie at the Airport

When a foodie travels by plane, planning is essential. What kind of restaurants are available at the airports and knowledge of the latest TSA rules are important. I do not want to be stuck an airport where a vending machine is the only option for food. Also some airport restaurants close early. And of course if you carry your own food you do not want to be the one holding up the security line because you do not know the latest airport security restrictions.
At the present time there is a 3-1-1 rule (three ounces of liquid, in one quart size baggie, one per person) There is talk of TSA lifting the ban on liquids. For now I just make sure everything is under 100 ml and in a quart size ziploc. Keeping the ice through security has been fine in 95% of the airports. I just make sure I drain any excess water from the ziploc bags that the ice is kept in before I go through security. If TSA does question the ice in my cooler I tell them I am on a special diet for medical reasons and then they usually tell me it is okay. If security does not allow the ice I will dump it and get more on the other side. But most of the time TSA does not even mention the ice in my cooler. TSA does not allow frozen bottles or ice packs, I have only been able to take ziploc baggies filled with ice. A flight attendant I met uses medical ice packs that have a screw off lid. They do not leak like ziploc bags.
After security I will usually go straight to my gate. But, there are some airports that have some decent choices for food. If I have time I will eat at a desirable restaurant or perhaps a restaurant may have something to offer that will supplement what I already have and I can put it in my cooler. Of course I save money when I have my own lunch or dinner. Some business travelers get to expense all their meals but you still want to make wise decisions. I am always looking for fresh non-processed foods. I try to avoid meat at the airport. It is probably not the highest quality and freshest. I also try to avoid sauces, soups, or anything that could have artificial ingredients, msg, too much sodium and sugar. Fresh vegetables, veggie wraps, and salads are most often safe.
There are some specific restaurants that usually have what I am looking for or items I can tolerate. Legal Seafood Test Kitchen at Boston Logan is great. On the way to the Delta terminal I like to pick up a seaweed salad and smoked salmon with capers and red onion. If I have time I will order a full dinner. They have different entrees all the time. French Meadow Cafe in Minneapolis is also a smart choice. They have an organic mixed field green salad with salmon that I enjoy. Puck’s full service restaurant is always good. If I am in a hurry I will get their Chinois Chicken Salad. But I love their pizza. It is fresh and all natural. I have also tried a couple of entrees at Puck’s when I have had time in Chicago O’Hare Airport. Recently I was at the Providence, Rhode Island Airport and the Puck’s there was very nice. I also discovered The Green Leaf Restaurant. It is in several airports and it is a “create your own salad or wrap” place. It was very fresh and they have some great selections on vegetables. In Pittsburgh they are next door to Five Guys Burgers. I thought that was an excellent location. Ground beef at an airport and french fries is not the wise choice. And if you are expensing the meal then cost should not be an issue. So go to Green Leafs instead and your flight will be more enjoyable. Some other options are baguettes from Au Bon Pain or Atlanta Bread Company. They are all natural and they charge under two dollars for a full baguette. Au Bon Pain sandwiches are also pretty good. Panda Express is also a good choice. Sometimes they have tofu dishes and they do not use msg or too much oil. Some airports have microwaves to use. I usually have something with me in my cooler or in my carry-on that I could heat to create a meal. Last time I was in the Detroit airport there was a microwave at the Coffee Beanery in the Delta/Northwest terminal. Some restaurants will have a microwave and they will heat the food for me.
Eating healthy at the airport may seem difficult but having a plan is one of the best ways to make it possible. If I know my options and I am prepared then I can eat what I want. Traveling through an airport can sometimes be stressful, but if you have good food on hand then it can be a more pleasant experience.