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…Traveling: Airport Healthy Food Options…

traveling

Traveling is something that a lot of people do regularly.  Car rides, truck stops, air port TSA check points, running through airports to catch your flight, getting a seat on the plane that is just not very comfortable… there are a lot of things that people have to worry about when trying to get the desired destination.

As I have traveled quite a bit over the past few years, I have found that there are some things that I have adopted to make things a little easier for me.  A few of these things are:

  • Getting a compact water bottle to travel with (get to the airport with your empty water bottle.  Once you get past TSA go to the water fountain and fill it up! It will save you the $5-$10 that you would have to spend on a water bottle at a kiosk or airport convenience store
  • Get a bag that is durable AND will fit under the seat in front of you/in the over head bin. (This is by far one of the most important! Some airports are relaxed on the size of your bag and other stick to the rules 100%.  The worst time to figure this out is when the airport is busy, you stood in the TSA line for almost an hour only to find out that you have to go back to the check in counter to check your bag that is slightly over stuffed and too big “by the regulation standards” to be taken on the plane).
  • Have plan updates texted to your cellular device (you can also have them emailed.  Phone calls are great! But if you are in the middle of trying to call a cab, hotel, family members and the airline is calling it is hard to switch the line get that call.)

You can also check out my other blog post by CLICKING HERE that goes into more details (and money saving tips) on some other traveling tips I have discovered.

I do not know about you, but I do enjoy getting to find some healthy food options when I am traveling.  I have seen over the past few years a HUGE shift in the variety of healthy food establishments that are available in different airports.  This is actually the reason I am creating this post.  To help showcase the different options that I have been able to find throughout different airports.

 

DFW (Dallas/Ft. Worth)

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Terminals: A, B, C, D, E (You can use a shuttle system within the airport to travel between terminals)

Most (if not all) airports have a kiosk or air port convenience store that will offer things such as beef jerky, nuts, protein bars/refrigerated shakes, dried fruit, trail mix, etc.  These things are all great to grab and go as you are trying to curb your appetite until you reach your final destination.  BUT these are also things you can purchase BEFORE you get to the airport and carry with you in your bag.  This will not only save you time (not having to stand in line to pay for the item), it will also save you money!

Healthy food options: Terminal A

  • Qdoba : The holy grail of making your own salad.  You can make your salad unhealthy REALLY quickly if you pile on a lot of the wrong toppings.  You can go HERE to Qdoba’s calorie calculator.  This can help you to know what the nutritional information will be of the meal you would like to put together.  Qdoba offers a variety of things (healthy and unhealthy) so you can for sure find something to please you and your traveling companions taste buds.

Healthy food options: Terminal B

  • Freshens: Is the mecca of fresh food options when it comes to airport food options.  You can CLICK HERE   to see the nutritional value of the food that is offered at the fresh food studios that can be found in this airport.  Make sure to pay attention to what you are ordering! As with any place, adding more things to your entree can quickly add calories, carbs, fats, and many other things to make the dish not as healthy.  Be sure to limit the addition of those types of extras to keep your meal healthy and nutritious.

Healthy food options: Terminal C

  • Grove Natural Snacks: This snack bar has a ton of nuts, protein trail mix, and many other healthy snack options you can grab.  (You can also find a Grove located at gate A, C, D, & E.)

Healthy food options: Terminal D

  • 360 Gourmet Burrito: This can be compared closely to Qdoba (or other taco/burrito bars).  Make your own burrito (or salad) with all of the things that you like.  Best options would be grilled chicken, veggies, and salsa.  Limit things such as sour cream and guacamole.

 

There are also places such as Red Mango, Smoothie King, and Jamba Juice located at DFW.  These places are all great options, but like with the other food choices you will want to pay attention to what you are ordering.  Some options will pack too much sugar or other macro nutrients which will quickly make the an unhealthy option.

 

 

Traveling: Tricks & Tips

traveling

 

For those who do not know, I had a very busy 2014.  I traveled to more than 10 states for events and other athletic activities.  Traveling by car, train, plane, and bus you have to get creative and efficient in order to make sure that you can travel efficiently with all of the things that you need while minimizing the amount of bags that you have.   Although it may be hard to cram 3-5 days worth of things in one small duffel bag, sometimes you have to improvise to travel with everything you need without having to pay the extra baggage fees while traveling.

Over the past year, I was able to learn a few things that have saved me time AND also money while traveling.  I figured that the tricks that I learned could be valuable tips that can be adopted by other travelers like myself.

Liquid Beverages:

Traveling on any airline limits you on the amount of liquids you can carry and the types of liquids that you can carry with you through the security check and onto the plane.  Simple trick: bring an EMPTY water bottle (or small container) that you can refill once you make it through the security check. This will save you time (you will not have to stand in line to get a beverage), and you can also save money (who wants to spend $3-$8 on one bottle of water!??).  You can also get creative and carry powdered beverage packets so you can have flavored water once you refill your bottle with water.

F*ck Checked Bags:

Pardon my language but checked bags is one of the most annoying processes about traveling by plane (in my personal opinion).  Not only do some airlines charge you a large sum of money per bag, but you also have to wait an extra 20-45 minutes for you to collect your bags from the plane once you arrive.  Solution…don’t check your bags.  If possible fit everything needed into two carry on bags.  And purchase the traveling size body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, etc to carry on in your bag.  You an also purchase refillable containers so you can fill them with your current toiletries.  I know that it may be hard to do so, but think of the $100’s of dollars (and time) you will save from not having to check your bags! You can also consider not carrying on any liquids and try to find a Dollar Store or local super center and pick some up while you are at your visiting destination.

Snack Attack:

It is a proven fact that the food that is found in airports are more expensive than what you can get it at the grocery store.  The best way to save money is to pack your own food/snacks to have while traveling.  I have found that things like: nuts, protein bars, beef jerky, dried fruit, fruit leather, trail mix, etc can be small things that can be kept in your bag or purse.  Try to pack things that do not contain strong smells!! Nothing is more annoying than the person next to you pulling out a snack that has a strong pungent smell.  No one wants to smell a tuna sandwich for 1-8 hours. NOTE: I have made my own turkey sandwiches and brought other food items that need to remain cold. I packed them in a small lunchbox and used the blue freezer packs.  Make sure the freezer packs are still frozen when you get to the airport.  If they turn back into gel the security agents may make you dispose of them.  Regardless if they do, carry with you extra sandwich/freezer bags.  Fill them with ice and use them as a way to keep your food items cool just in case you have to discard your freezer packs. 

Curb Side Check:

Most major airlines have a curb side baggage checking kiosk.  I use them when they are open for several reasons.  (1) It allows you to skip the long lines inside of he airport at your airline counter.  The workers at the kiosk can check you into your flight as well as check your bags.  (2) Remember you can tip the workers at the kiosk.  I typically do if I know there is a long line inside the terminal or if my bag is heavier than the required 50 lbs.  (aaaand I have been know to get away with not having to pay the extra over weight baggage fee.  Some airlines are sticklers about the 50lb limit.  I know my bag has been a few pounds over and the curb side check has been more lenient on those guidelines).

Sigh Up For Flight Update Alerts:

As annoying as they may be, it has been proven to be very helpful for me.  For example, your flight pulls into the terminal a littler later than expected.  Instead of having to find the flight monitors as you rush off of the plane, some airline alert systems can call or text you with your connecting flight number and gate location.  So all you have to do is check those messages once you turn your phone back on and rush over to your connecting flight.

Hotel Room Freebies:

The bag that is typically found in the closet for dry cleaning makes a perfect “dirty laundry” bag.  I will grab it and toss all of my dirty laundry in it.  This will allow me to keep the separate from my other clothes as well as identify the dirty clothes while unpacking when I get home.  You can also use the shampoo and conditioner that can be found in hotels so that you will not have to pack them in your luggage.  Some hotels will even offer body wash, lotion, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc.  The best way to find out what your hotel offers is to call them and ask.

These are just a few tips that I have discovered and have used over the past 12 months.  I am still learning new things about things that can be done to make my traveling experience more efficient and less stressful. What I have shared is what I have learned thus far and I hope to share more tricks and tips as I discover them!