Many passengers look forward to the meals during their flight, but there are just as many who prefer to avoid the onboard service. The taste and quality of food vary greatly depending on the airline, and especially on short-haul flights, snack prices can be quite high.
With a little planning and a small budget, you can easily bring your own food for the trip. If you’d prefer not to spend time preparing snacks yourself, supermarkets like Lidl or Kaufland offer a wide range of suitable options. Supermarket flyers often feature affordable deals for snacks like nuts, chocolate, or delicious toppings for homemade sandwiches.
Guidelines for Bringing Food on a Plane
Most foods and liquids can be brought onboard as long as they don’t exceed 100 ml per container. Cakes, sandwiches, and salads can easily pass through security, although they may be separately screened.
Allowed snacks in hand luggage include baby food, bread, sweets, cheese, chocolate, cookies, chips, dried fruits, eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, sauces, honey, hummus, nuts, pizza, and sandwiches. Even live lobsters are allowed in special packaging.
Exceptions include breast milk and some specific liquid regulations for medications. If your snacks don’t fall under the mentioned categories, it’s recommended to check with the airline’s guidelines in advance. All liquids must be transported in sealed containers with a maximum volume of 100 ml.
1. Sandwiches
Sandwiches are the perfect choice for a quick snack or even a full meal during your flight, regardless of its duration. They are a healthy alternative to sweet snacks like cakes or chips, and the best part is that they can be easily eaten without utensils and without getting your hands dirty. Whether it’s a wheat roll with Norwegian smoked salmon and horseradish, a wholegrain roll with cheese, scrambled eggs, and salad, or a classic pretzel roll with salami – the possibilities are endless, and the preparation time is minimal.
2. Trail Mix
A mix of nuts and raisins is the perfect snack for on the go – ideal for satisfying hunger or getting an energy boost. Nuts provide healthy fats and nutrients that keep you full for longer, while raisins give you a quick energy kick, especially on longer flights. Supermarkets offer convenient nut-fruit mixes that fit easily into your hand luggage.
3. Chocolate
Traveling is special, and while chocolate may not be the healthiest snack, it can quickly lift your mood, especially during flight delays. If you’re traveling with family, a small chocolate bar is a great reward to keep kids entertained. Conveniently portioned chocolates are ideal for the journey.
4. Mixed Salad
As long as the salad dressing is under 100 ml and sealed properly, a fresh salad can be a nutritious alternative to onboard meals. To stay full longer, make sure your salad includes protein, such as tofu, eggs, or turkey, as well as complex carbs like quinoa, bulgur, or sweet potatoes. Topping it with feta cheese adds flavor. For those in a hurry, pre-packaged salads are available in the refrigerated section of Lidl or Kaufland.
5. Fruit
To stay healthy, it’s important to eat two servings of fruit daily. Bananas, apples, or mandarins are easy to bring onboard and provide valuable vitamins and energy during the flight.
6. Veggie Sticks with Hummus
Crunchy veggie sticks like carrots, cucumbers, or peppers are a healthy and refreshing alternative to salty chips. Combined with hummus as a dip, you not only have a light meal but also a filling source of healthy fats and protein. As long as the hummus doesn’t exceed the 100 ml limit per container, it can easily pass through security. It’s the perfect healthy snack without worrying about sticky fingers.
7. Granola Bars or Protein Bars
Homemade or store-bought granola bars are an ideal travel companion because they’re compact and long-lasting. They provide a quick energy boost and are perfect for small hunger pangs. Opt for versions with nuts, oats, and dried fruits for a healthy energy kick. Supermarkets like Kaufland and Lidl offer a wide selection of bars that are great for the trip.