In-flight Meal - Vegan Style

San Francisco

Whenever I plan a trip that involves a plane, my first thoughts are, "What am I going to eat?!?"  I've seen enough 60 Minute specials on airplane food to know not to touch that stuff and I'm not foolish enough to think they can accommodate my vegan, oil-free ways.  I even buy my own water at one of the airport shops prior to boarding - read the above article, you'll understand where my paranoia comes from...

I just smile and say, "No thank you." to every offer by the nice flight attendant and then gleefully munch away on my 100% healthy & sanitary snacky snacks.

I put everything in disposable Ziplock bags, so I can leave the plane with less than I got on with.  Ziplock, so when airport security tears apart my carry-on (they always do), I don't have a holy mess on my hands!



Here's a list of things I bring with me (varies depending on length of flight):

• Paper towels
• Plastic utensils
• Wet naps
• Bottle of Water (airport store)
• Larabars or Kind Bars
• Cereal
• McDougall's Noodle Cups (just request hot water)
• Instant Oatmeal (just request hot water)
• Hoff's Green Wrap
• Portabella Mushroom Caps (pre-cut & stick in ziplock bag, a little messy but when you're hungry, a lifesaver)
• Semi-Homemade Tortilla Chips
• Baked Baby Potatoes/Baby Sweet Potatoes
• Avocado
• Sliced Cucumber
• Dried Fruit: Dates, Prunes, Figs, etc.
• Fresh Fruit: Berries, Apples, Bananas, etc.
• Pretzels
• Popcorn
• Pistachios
• Rice Cakes
• Roasted Soy Beans 
• Edamame (light salted & shelled) 
• Veggie Sushi!
• Clementines, apples, bananas, berries (other fruit - not with international travel)
• Pasta Salad
• Black Olives (rinsed & dried)
• Gerkin Pickles (rinsed & dried)
• Veggies & Hummus
• Veggies & Salsa

I once watched a girl eat an entire avocado on a flight.  Not sure I could do that, but I admired her ingenuity!

Be careful with any type of liquid based food, yogurt for example can be confiscated by security.  If you do bring any type of liquid, it must be in a 3 oz. or smaller container.  Those apple sauce snack packs are 3.9 oz. of course!

Aside from the dry foods, most of these foods are only going to make it one way.  For my return flight, I try to track down a Subway (veggie sandwich) or some other airport eatery that serves vegan food.  Not always possible to find, so I don't like to rely on that plan of attack.

I highly recommend that you do some research of both your departure airport and destination airport so you can know ahead of time what they offer and where that is in relation to your gate.  Just Google the name of the airport and restaurants and you are bound to come across a website listing them all out, most airports have this information available on their website.  Having a plan before your are in rushing, panic mode will keep you from making a hasty impulse move that you will regret later.

*"Potential" vegan offerings at Cleveland Hopkins Airport:

• Main Terminal
• Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels (request no butter)
• Bruegger’s Bagels
• Currito: Burritos Without Borders
• Concourse A
• Starbucks
• Concourse B
• Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels (request no butter)
• Concourse C
• Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt
• Green Leaf’s – Beyond Great Salads
• Starbucks
• Ticketing 
• Subway

*I can't 100% confirm that these places will have vegan offerings, so you still need to inquire once you get there.

With a little pre-planning, your in-flight meal can be delicious, healthy and just the way you want it!

I'd love to hear what you guys bring on your travels - light up the comments!

Keep It Healthy!

Source: http://www.clevelandairport.com/Airport-Guide/Terminal-Map.aspx