Air Travel Tips For The Health Conscious
Thanks to some unexpected changes in my life I have had the opportunity to travel quite a bit this year. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd assume I flew more this year than the past 10 years combined.
Traveling is so fun and has been such a blessing, but it can be stressful, especially if you are health conscious -- from remembering what can and cannot make it through security, how you can save a few $$ (considering airport food and drinks are overpriced), how to eat healthy when traveling (because fast food and vending machines likely don't have great options, especially if you have some sort of food sensitivity/allergy), and more.
While I'm still perfecting the art of air travel I have learned a few things over the past year and want to share them so your next flight might be a little smoother.
Leading up to travel I mentally and physically prepare myself:
☑️ Pack ahead of time so I’m not rushed the morning of my flight
☑️ Go to bed early so I can get in yoga or a run before heading out for my next adventure. Also plan to wear comfortable shoes and clothes to the airport so you can take a stroll while you wait to board.
☑️ Check out the airport(s) online to see if they have healthy food options, and then pack snacks accordingly.
Additionally, I be sure to pack the following:
Empty reusable water bottle - While you can’t bring liquids through airport security you CAN bring an empty water bottle and fill it up once you get past security. This will save you money & the plant 😉🌎 Optional: Bring a reusable cup for coffee or tea once you get through security.
Healthy snacks - My go to is jerky -- EPIC's wild-caught salmon (SO GOOD!) or grass-fed beef. Other great options include...
Primal Kitchen Foods collagen bars
RX Bars or their almond/peanut butter packets
Nuts & seeds
Apples, bananas, oranges, etc.
Protein balls
A good book - Instead of wasting my time scrolling and re-scrolling through social media I use the time to either work on my laptop or read.
Non-toxic hand sanitizer - Airports are not the cleanest places in the world and hand sanitizer is not my first choice when it comes to keeping my hands clean. *Here comes a quick rant* If there's anything you should know about hand sanitizer it is this: The ingredient most frequently used in non-alcohol based hand sanitizers is Triclosan, which is contributes to antibiotic resistance, a weakened immune system, and hormonal imbalance. And get this...Triclosan is banned in Europe, yet in 2014 was in 2,000+ consumer products in the US. Rant over. Look for some clean alternatives, like from Dr. Bonner's.
BYOT - AKA bring your own tea. Many coffee shops will give you hot water for free (or very cheap). Ask for a cup of it and add your own tea bag when you can.
Laptop - Luckily, I can work from anywhere so my laptop is a MUST. Many airports have free wifi so I always take advantage of that downtime. You can also get on wifi on flights, although sometimes it is an additional fee. (Thank goodness for that book you packed! 😉) Don't forget your charger, and your phone charger while you are at it, just in case you need to juice up.
Last but definitely not least: Headphones! Whether I just need some music to jam to or have podcasts to catch up on, headphones are a must. Tip: Download podcasts ahead of time so you can listen to them without any issues.
One more thing I wish I would have realized earlier...you can bring food in a to-go container (and maybe even a lunch box) through security🤯. Photographed below is the hummus and vegetables I brought through security on my most recent flight. It's quick, easy, and so good.
I reused a container that I got from Mama Resch's so I could throw it away once I was finished.
I'm going to leave you with a glimpse at a magical view only God could provide...
