It used to be impossible to find fresh fruit, a salad or anything remotely healthy to eat in an airport—let alone on a plane. But according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which recently released its annual survey of the country’s busiest terminals, airport food is on the upswing: 88 percent of the restaurants surveyed now sell at least one vegetarian entrée that’s low in fat, high in fiber and cholesterol free. And although most U.S. airlines no longer offer meal service on domestic flights, they continue to expand their range of special meals on international flights—from Atkins to gluten-free choices. A few international airlines have even launched special health-focused meals.
Surprisingly, even Las Vegas’s airport (solidly in last place on PCRM’s survey) offers some wholesome dishes, such as the veggie sandwich at the Prickly Pear Café. First place goes to Orlando, a veritable smorgasbord of nutrition. Tied for second are Detroit, where you candig into vegetarian stir-fry and seaweed salad, and San Francisco, whose restaurants dish up Asian noodle salad and curried vegetables and rice. But if you don’t happen to have PCRM’s survey in hand, let these tips from expert nutritionists get you through your next layover:
• GO ETHNIC
Many of the PCRM-recommended restaurants are Japanese, Middle Eastern or Mexican. “These diets are high in fiber, low in fat and full of beans, grains and vegetables,” says Susan Levin, the dietician who oversees PCRM’s study. “And since they’re spicy, they’re anything but bland.”
• STEER CLEAR OF SALT
Salty food can lead to dehydration, according to Levin, which may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (a potentially dangerous blood clot in the leg).
• SNACK ON YOGURT
Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat, gets creative at airport food courts: “I buy yogurt, a packet of nuts and a banana, and then ask for a big cup. I cut the banana into the cup, and pour the yogurt and nuts on top.”
• BE SMART ABOUT FAST FOOD
If McDonald’s is the only option, Nestle doesn’t panic: She buys the yogurt parfait, which comes with fresh fruit. Another option is the grilled-chicken Asian salad.