Food to take on airplane
So we're going on a trip next week that involves flying and a 4 hour layover (total travel time is over 8 hours). Last time we did this I practically starved. This time I'm pregnant so starving is NOT an option. I'd like to pack something nutritious and hearty that feels like a meal, but it is difficult for me to come up with anything that will make it past airport security (my mom had a jar of peanut butter taken from her last time she flew) and will be safe out of a refrigerator for over 4 hours.
I of course have thought of things like nuts/dry fruit mixes and I will take some of that stuff....but I really, really, REALLY want something more "meal-like." Snacky foods just don't seem to satisfy me for very long....especially now that I'm 17 weeks pregnant and what seems like hungry all the time.
Ideas....please?
this thread might help :) http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=23702.0
hope you fly safe and have a wonderful trip!
Maybe look for a vegan MRE? Or I've seen split pea mix in the bulk bins at WF that just needs hot (not even boiiling) water to hydrate... They must have hot water for tea and coffee on a plane (and certainly in a restaurant in the terminal), so you could ask for a cup of hot water for your soup. Or even easier to find are those little cups of dried soup mix-- I've seen those in the regular grocery store, although I'm not sure if they need boiling water or just hot water.
They're not serving a meal on the plane? You should be able to call ahead and request a vegan meal, no?
Instant oatmeal, fruit leathers, falafel? cooked meat subs like sausage patties are always a good standby.
Some airports are far more strict than others about what you can take through security. Also, many have become more lenient in recent days.
I travel a couple of times a year, and I've seen everything from "no problem" to "your chapstick has to be in a plastic baggy, go get a bag and go to the end of the line."
>:(
Pfft. Chapstick.
Anyway, I recently took sandwiches on a plane, and had no issue. You should be safe with that. Take a couple! You'll have to purchase any drinks you want, as liquids are a big fat no-no, but any solid foods generally aren't a big deal.
Call your airport or go online (I'd say calling would give you more precise info) to see what they prohibit and what you can bring.
I always bring a tupperware of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my family when we travel on planes and I have never had a problem. I also make a box or two of fake chickn nuggets or patties before we leave the house and bring them too.
You could also just get a little lunchbox or cold bag and bring some veg deli slices with you--during your layover you can get a sandwich without meat and just put your slices on top. I also like primal strips for travelling but I'm the only one in my family who eats them.
You can also get those fantastic foods type containers of dried soups and bean stews where you just have to add hot water to the container--not ideal but okay in a pinch and the airline attendants will give you hot water on the plane.
I always take food when I travel, whether by car or plane. I always take PB&J sandwiches and I've never had a problem getting them through security. I usually add individual bags of Veggie Chips, granola, and seitan Primal Strips as well as a piece of fruit. Makes a pretty decent meal and I know exactly what I'm getting.
Related to Sharway's post, I also make up dehydrated mixes for camping that are Just-Add-Water and would be easy on a plane. I have one that is a mix of Fantastic Foods refried beans, FF taco filling, and taco spices. Just mix it all up together and separate into individual heavy-duty freezer bags. Take along with some tortillas and plastic cutlery. Then just add hot water from the flight attendant, mush it up with your hands, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes until you can't feel any hard bits. Spoon it or squish it out onto the tortillas and eat. Another one is FF tabouli salad, FF couscous, dried parsley, and dried tomatoes. That one you could add water to out of a drinking fountain after you go through security but before you get on the plane since it can be eaten cold. Squish it around with your hands, stick it back in your bag, and eat it with a spoon later. If it's during a lay-over, you could also get a garden salad from one of the restaurants and put that along with the tabouli salad and the salad dressing onto tortillas as well.
And if all else fails, there's always the ubiquitous newsstand trail mix. Nuts, fruits, and various preservatives.
Thanks for your ideas everyone! Somehow I didn't even think about bringing things like sandwiches in a Tupperware container. I think I'll do that along with some snack items. Thanks again!
You should be able to call ahead and request a vegan meal, no?
You can't really trust the airline to provide you with a vegan meal. Often they include margarines that contain milk products, breads that aren't vegan, dressings that are cream based... the list continues. My last transcontinental flight I requested a vegan meal several months in advance, called the week of the flight to confirm, and asked the gate attendants to check on my meal for me and I still ended up with a lacto-ovo meal. Also, I would like to point out that the gate attendants told me that there would be no vegetarian meals on board and my choices would be chicken or beef. I asked them to check because I had made a special request and they actually pretended to check and "confirmed" my choices would be chicken or beef. :-[ I just ate before boarding.
The moral of my long-winded story is that you should definitely bring your own food. Rice is nice. :)
homemde trail mix, lara or luna bars, Sandwiches in saran wrap, and apples!
i just flew today and the biscuit cookies that you get on deltas flights are vegan, also i think the pb crackers on united are vegan, too. ( i know those are far from meals, but i mention them so you take advantage of the freebies!)