Bring your own food, it is healthier and cheaper!

Unless you are in first or business class, many domestic flights do not serve food in coach. Many airlines provide an option to purchase snacks and/or meals.

If you decide to make a purchase, please be aware of the following:

1. Items are not cheap (approximately $4 to $6 for a 4oz to 8oz can of chips).

2. Many airlines will sell cold "snacks" and NOT full meals.

3. Cash or credit cards are accepted (check airlines). Some will only accept credit cards.

4. How safe are the items sold to you? Some passengers have noted that the expiration date has passed on items sold to them.

5. Sit closer to the front of the plane ensure that your item of choice is available. Flight attendants will begin serving at the beginning of the plane and not the rear.

Several flights have ran out of many options, by the time the snack carts arrive at the rear of the plane.

HOW TO PACK YOUR FOOD

Yes, besides your clothes, you need to package your food, if you want to eat during your flight, stay healthy and save money. You may be thinking, "I can just purchase food after I get through airport security". That is a thought, however, the food selection at the airport is expensive and do you really know how fresh is the food? Will it be good?

Food packing steps:

1. Check with the TSA to confirm what type of food is allowed through security. This web site is a great resource in making sure TSA does not take your food while going through security.

2. If you want to pack your yogurt, be sure to put it in a container with fruit. The TSA will take your plain yogurt if it does not have fruit. The x-ray machines will identify fruit, but NOT yogurt.

3. You want to purchase an insolated lunch bag. This is extremely helpful to keep your cold food cool and your hot food warm during your flight.

4. Purchase gallon size freezer Ziploc bags. The freezer bags are much more durable than the regular non-freezer bags.

5. Purchase Tupperware type containers and put these containers in the gallon size freezer ziploc bags. Then put these in your insolated lunch bag. This is to insure leeks and spills if you are taking food that may contain a little moisture or liquid.

SOME FOOD THAT IS ALLOWABLE THROUGH SECURITY AND EASY TO HANDLE ON AIRPLANES:

Yogurt (take only with fruit chopped inside the yogurt). Yogurt has natural enzymes to promote a healthy digestion system while sitting on the plane for hours. A chopped apple is a preferred fruit, because it mixes well with yogurt and does not get soft. You can attempt a banana, but it may turn very sweet in your yogurt.

Fruits

Apples, oranges and nectarines are great. They are easy to get through security. They are easy to maintain and you do not need to use a fork or spoon to eat.

Bananas and peaches are ok, you do not pack them where they may get smashed.

Grapes, cherries, pineapples, chopped mangos and watermelon (drain as much water out, to get through security) are great if you put them in a tupperware container.

Sandwiches

A homemade sandwich is wonderful to take on the plane. You can put mayonnaise in your sandwich and able to get through security. You can not take mayonnaise or any other liquid or gel like condiments on a jar. Prepare your sandwich before you leave home and wrap it in plastic wrap or ziploc bag. It would be a good idea to put in a small tupperware container, so your nice healthy, inexpensive sandwich does not get smashed. Yummy!

Salads

This is another favorite item and very easy to take on the plane. Here are some basic suggested ingredients:

Lettuce (baby spinach, green leaf, or any heavier lettuce)

Grape tomatoes: Since they are the size of gapes, you can through them in your salad and there is not messy in chopping a regular larger tomatoes. If you put a chopped tomato in your salad, the lettuce could get soggy fast, especially if you are not planning on eating your salad for a few hours.

Any crunch salad toppers

Chopped green, red, orange or banana peppers: Make sure you put them in a small Tupperware container or quart size ziploc bag for possible moisture or liquid.

Grilled chicken: Make sure you pack this in aluminum foil or you can just lay it on top of your lettuce.

These are all suggested items. You can just take the lettuce and grape tomatoes to make it easy.

Salad Dressing

As for the salad dressing you can purchase portion size packets. You do not want to mix too much salad dressing in your salad and then take it on the plane. This is geared towards those who like to use creamy dressings like Ranch, Thousand Island or anything creamier like.

Ziploc makes wonderful mini snack containers. You may want to measure your portion and put the mini snack container inside the tupperware that contains your lettuce. Make sure you do not take a bottle or anything over 3.5oz. Security will take it! Caesar, oil and vinegar are great to mix in with your salad with out your lettuce getting too soggy.