106 | Airplane Traveling? Here's What to Expect When Eating Plant-Based on Board

It’s time to start packing for an exciting summer ahead, with an adventure planned by plane to another state or country. Yet you’ve recently begun plant-based eating, and now wonder how this will work with traveling. What will you eat in the air, and what can your family eat, now that you’re all embracing a vegan or plant-based diet lifestyle?

Let’s talk about this today. I want to help lower your stress and anxiety about that upcoming plane trip. In this episode, we’ll look at what you can really expect when it comes to airline meals, and some things you can do beforehand to help make your air travel more successful when on a plant-based diet. So grab your favorite cooling summer time drink and join me on the inside. See you there!

 

 

Contact -> [e-mail]

Learn -> www.plantnourished.com

Join -> Plant-Powered Life Transformation Course: www.plantnourished.com/ppltcourse

Connect in the Facebook Community -> www.bit.ly/pbdietsuccess

Apply -> Free Rapid Health Transformation Call: https://bit.ly/plantnourished

Free Resource -> Quick Start Grocery Guide for Plant-Based Essentials: www.plantnourished.com/groceryguide

 

 

Have a question about plant-based diets that you would like answered on the Plant Based Eating Made Easy Podcast? Send it by email ([e-mail]) or submit it by a voice message here: www.speakpipe.com/plantnourished

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Travel Tips, Plantbased Diet, Whole Foods, Plant based Eating, Eating Out, Vegan Meals, Restaurant Tips, Meal Ideas]

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
It's time to start packing for anexciting summer ahead, with car
camping, a trip to the beach, and evena long-awaited visit to relatives in
another state or country by plane.
Yet, you can't help but feel anxious forthat upcoming airplane ride and wonder how
you'll handle layover time in airports.

(00:22):
What will you eat and what can yourfamily eat now that you're embracing
a vegan or plant-based diet lifestyle?
Let's talk about this today.
I want to help lower your stress andanxiety about that upcoming plane trip.
In this episode, we'll look atwhat you can really expect when
it comes to airline meals, andsome things you can do beforehand

(00:44):
to help make your air travel moresuccessful when on a plant-based diet.
So grab your favorite cooling summertimedrink and join me on the inside.
See you there!
Welcome to the Plant BasedEating Made Easy Podcast.
I'm your host, Anna Tseng, plant-basedRegistered Dietitian and Transition Coach.

(01:06):
Hi Friend, do you want to regain yourhealth with plant-based eating but feel
overwhelmed and lost about how to do it?
Do you feel it'll be hard to changeyour meat-heavy diet and impossible
with working, running the home,or chasing after the grandkids?
If so, you're in the right place.
Here you'll find simple strategies,clear nutrition guidance and

(01:27):
practical tips to help you thriveplant-powered with more energy.
So, if you're ready to ditchthe guesswork and transform
your health the stress-free way.
Cozy up now with a hot cup of tea orlisten while you walk and let me show
you how doable plant-based eating can be.
Let's do this!

(01:48):
I want to first thank a listener withApple ID rbible09 for taking the time
to write and leave this 5-star review onthe Plant Based Eating Made Easy podcast.
She wrote, Reversing Diabetes.
So encouraging to hear thepodcast on reversing diabetes.
It is not easy to go against mainstreammedicine guidelines, and I am excited

(02:11):
to begin this transition for my husband.
I'm excited to listen to more of thesepodcasts on plant-based eating to help
us navigate the change in lifestyle.
I've only been doing it for ashort time and am already seeing
positive results with my health.
Thank you for making these available.
Thank you, rbible09, for yoursincere, heartfelt 5-star review.

(02:36):
I'm so glad you foundepisode 5 on plant-based vs.
keto and type 2 diabetesinformative and helpful.
That's fantastic that you're alreadyseeing beneficial changes in your health
with your own diet change and thatyou're wanting to help your husband move
into a plant-powered lifestyle as well.
Keep listening to this podcast.

(02:57):
I hope it will help you andyour husband as you continue
your plant-based diet journey.
Friend, if you would like to supportthis podcast so it can help more people
like rbible09, you can do so by leavinga rating and review on Apple Podcasts.
If you have an Apple device,find the Apple Podcasts app icon.

(03:18):
It's a purple square with white circles.
Open it, then search forPlant Based Eating Made Easy.
Once there, scroll all the waydown past the five star symbols,
then click on 'Write a Review'.
Leave a star rating, write yourreview, and then tap 'Send'.
That's it!
You can also leave a review if you haveiTunes downloaded on your PC computer.

(03:42):
Share about how this podcast is helpingyou in your plant-based diet transition
and journey towards the best health.
I would love to spotlight yourreview here on the podcast as well.
Thank you for supportingthe podcast in this way.
Now let's talk about eatingplant-based and traveling by air.
Well, I've grown up traveling,mostly by plane, since young.

(04:06):
In fact, I think my first big airplanetrip was when my mother took my sister
and I back to Taiwan to visit relativesand celebrate my first birthday.
I have a picture to prove it.
My children are pretty 'airplane savvy'now, too, because we often travel back
to Asia to visit relatives and friends.

(04:26):
But since going plant-based, I'vehad to adapt and learn how to manage
eating plant powered and still makethose airplane trips smooth and
successful for our whole family.
So I want to share some of myexperience from traveling and
help you be better prepared foryour next upcoming trip by plane.
So let's dive into this now.

(04:47):
First, let's talk airline meals.
Usually for long-haul flights, meals onthe plane are not that much of an issue.
For domestic flights in the UnitedStates, I've seen some plant-based
items like a snack plate with hummusand crackers or salad that can be chosen
from the onboard menu for some airlines.

(05:08):
For international flights, you canalso select ahead of time, when
booking your flight, that you wouldlike to have vegan meals provided.
I remember for the Taiwanese airlinecalled China Airlines, that there
was even an option to select ifyou would like a western vegetarian
meal, or a Chinese or Asian version.
And even if the airline only providesa vegetarian menu selection option,

(05:32):
you can still pick and choose theactual food items to consume from
the options on each tray given.
If you want to take things a stepfurther, another thing you could do is
inform the airline well in advance thatyou have an egg and dairy restriction,
so they will treat it like an allergyand not include those on your tray.
So do all these measures work?

(05:55):
I have to be honest, not100 percent of the time.
Airline staff are busy and therecan be some mess-ups along the way.
So sometimes an airline companydoes forget or makes a mistake, but
at least you have tried your bestto set yourself up for success.
Now let's talk about the actualquality of the food provided.

(06:16):
I do have to warn you, the foodsometimes can be a little 'hit and
miss' depending on the airline.
Personally, I did not find theeconomy seating onboard food
provided on western airlines likeDelta Airlines that appetizing.
I will say, though, that once I waspleasantly surprised on Canada Airlines

(06:38):
to receive a delicious chickpeacurry and rice combo for a meal.
The difference is, unless, ofcourse, you're in first class.
A relative of mine who eats aregular diet, often travels for
work and occasionally takes firstclass or gets a free upgrade to it.
He sometimes likes to order thevegetarian menu tray selection and

(07:00):
then snaps a picture to show me,because he knows I'm eating plant-based.
It certainly looks more freshand inviting, with more fruits,
vegetables, and sometimes even atasty entree like a nice colorful
fresh salad or vegetable noodle dish.
You might be asking me now,what if I'm eating a whole

(07:21):
food plant-based no oil diet?
I completely support you if this isyour eating pattern of choice, but
you will need to be more preparedwhen you are traveling by air.
Just know that your optionswill be more limited.
That's because the airlinepre prepared food will likely
have been cooked with oil.

(07:41):
In these cases, you could plan more aheadby bringing a wrapped cooked potato or
sweet potato with you onto the plane,as well as packing some fruits, dried
fruit, nuts, or seeds to enjoy as well.
You can even bring your own plant-basedhome baked muffins or granola bars
to take on board too if you like.
But if you do bring fresh fruitson board, just make sure to

(08:04):
finish it before the plane touchesdown at the destination airport.
Because usually there are rules thatprohibit or restrict food items like fresh
produce being brought into a country.
Or you will need to declareit on the customs form.
And even if you didn't get achance to buy or bring any snacks
from home onto the plane, knowthat you won't starve to death.

(08:28):
At the very least, you will beable to subsist on the bread rolls
they provide, just forgo the singleserving butter packets, as well as
the hot coffee or tea and salads.
Some of the biscuits and crackers can bevegan too, so check the ingredient lists.
Just know that once you reach yourlayover airport, you may have time

(08:49):
to grab a plant-based meal at arestaurant within the airport.
That's what we have often donewhen there is a 2 - 3 hour
layover at an interim airport.
Or, when you reach your final destination,you can look forward to having a proper
meal there and may be able to visit agrocery store soon after landing to load
up on local fresh fruits and vegetables.

(09:12):
So today I shared with you some keythings I've learned thus far from
my trips by plane since our familymoved to a plant-based diet lifestyle.
We looked at what you can expect fromairline meals when onboard the plane,
and things you can do to improve yourexperience prior to boarding the plane.
I also gave some simple strategiesto help those of you who are on a

(09:33):
no-oil, whole food plant-based diet.
I hope today's episode helps youfeel more prepared with what to
expect for your upcoming trip by air.
Now here's an action step you can take.
If you have an upcoming flight planned,take a moment to think about one
thing you can do to help make that airtravel easier, whether it is to pack

(09:55):
a plant-based snack you can bring,or to check if a vegan or vegetarian
meal tray option is available forthe airline flight you've booked.
Take a moment to find out whatis possible with your airline
and you might be surprised.
Thank you so much for listening.
If this podcast has inspired,encouraged, or helped you in some

(10:18):
way to transform your health,I would love to hear about it.
Please take 30 seconds to rateand leave a written review on
Apple Podcasts to let me know.
It will encourage me so much tohear how this podcast has positively
impacted and made a differencein your journey towards wellness.
And share about this podcast witha friend or loved one so we can

(10:39):
all thrive in the best health.
Remember, plant-based eatingcan be easy and doable.
See you in the next episode, my Friend.