Do the mere thought of packing snacks for long flight tires you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Before you head out for that long due vacation, weekend getaway, or even an urgent business meeting, do not forget to pack some healthy and fulfilling snacks. Not everyone can make do with the plane food and it’s better to load yourself with some snacks and eat smart while you’re on the go. In this article, we’re going to cover some of the best snack ideas for a long plane flight. So, fasten your seat belts (not literally) and get ready to note down some binge-worthy plane snacks.
1. Steamed Mix Vegetables
Steamed mix vegetables, seasoned with curry powder, salt, spices, and freshly ground black pepper can make a perfectly healthy plane snack. However, to not let your fresh veggies and fruits rot, season them after steaming in the microwave and then pack in a disposable container. The steaming process softens the vegetables and makes them easy to chew. Some steamed vegetables, like cabbage and broccoli, are also easy to digest. For an enhanced flavor, here are some of the ingredients you can add to your steamed mix vegetables.
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Soy sauce or broth
- Herbs
- Garlic
2. Dried Fruits
People often limit the word ‘dry fruit’ to bananas or raisins, but there’s a whole different world of dried fruits out there. You can also pack some dried peaches, pineapple, mangoes, and pear for your plane-snacking. Make sure to opt for freeze-dried fruits, as they are typically lower in sugar and a lot more fulfilling. These are some of the healthiest dried fruits that can cater to your snack cravings during a long flight.
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Cashews
- Apricots
- Dates
- Hazelnuts
- Walnuts
- Raisins
3. Cheese and Vegetable Sandwich
One of the healthiest and quick plane snacks includes cheese and vegetable sandwiches. In case you’re getting late for the flight and can’t afford to cook something, you can always pile up some sliced tomatoes, greens, a cheese cube, some salt and pepper on your favorite grain bread and a healthy go-to sandwich is ready. It is a great snack option for shorter flights or if you know that you’ll be eating the sandwich within a few hours of boarding the plane.
4. Protein Bars
In case you don’t want your snacks and their containers to fill up half of your luggage, make use of packaged snacks, like protein bars. Many protein bars contain an unhealthy amount of sweeteners. Therefore, choose the ones that are low in sugar. One protein bar should contain at least 4 grams of fiber, no more than 200 calories, and at least 6 grams of protein. These are some of the healthiest protein bars for your next plane adventure.
- RxBar
- Epic Performance Bar
- EXO Protein Bars
- Macrobar
- Quest Bar
- Naked Bar
5. Oatmeal and Healthy Cereals
For a smooth plane flight, pack some packets of plain instant oatmeal, and your favorite low sugar healthy cereals. They are among the must-haves for serious travelers. Make sure to divide the cereal into portion sizes in separate containers, so they’re travel-ready. Oatmeal and healthy cereals can be a great plane snack and can even be eaten in breakfast. You’ll easily find low-fat milk in an airplane, to eat the cereal with, or boiling water, to cook the oatmeal. Add some fresh fruit on top of your cereal for a healthy snack.
6. Popcorns
Popcorns are the perfect plane snack. They are easy to pack, light, and once you start munching on them, there’s no turning back. Popcorns are not limited to the cinemas only, try eating them among the skies too. There are different flavors that you can experiment with. In recent years, there have been a number of new popcorn flavors, including sea salt cookies, cream, and white cheddar. For a fun and fulfilling flight, you can also search for cool snack bag ideas, and stack some of your favorite snacks for a longer time.
7. Baked Kale Chips
Looking for some healthy plane snacks that won’t let you get bored during the long flight? Baked Kale chips are here for the rescue! They are a delightful and crispy alternative to potato chips. They come in a variety of flavors, from vegan nacho cheese to tomato. As compared to potato chips, they are lower in fat and easy to make. However, make sure to not crunch too loud and disturb others during the flight.
8. Granola Bars
In case you’re traveling with a child, who happens to ask for snacks every 5 minutes, granola bars are the best option to ensure that he won’t get hungry during the flight. They are one of the healthiest plane snacks, packed with nutritional goodness like almonds, oats, and sunflower seeds. They will definitely keep your child full and busy during the flight. Have a look at some of the best and healthiest granola bars in 2021.
- Kate’s Real Food Lemon Coconut Bivy Bars
- Larabar Protein Apple Cobbler Bars
- Carrot Cake Phyter Bars
- Health Warrior Apple Cinnamon Chia Bars
- Chocolate Coconut Primal Kitchen Protein Bars
- Lemon Poppy Seed Core Bars
9. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
As a healthy plane snack, pack some fresh and easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables for your flight. Stock them in a durable container so that they don’t get squished. Some of the fresh fruits and vegetables that you can pack as a flight snack include,
- Grape tomatoes
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Peaches
- Apricots
Sometimes, people don’t want to carry around empty containers with them, during the journey. In such circumstances, disposable containers are best, as you can throw them out after usage. In case you’re traveling with your pets, fresh fruits and vegetables can also help them calm down and fill their tummy during the flight.
10. Packaged Olives
For a salty snack during the long flights, experts recommend packaged olives. You can enjoy them as such or add them to ‘light’ meals, such as a packet of tuna or a small salad. For a healthier snack option, skip olive bar varieties that are loaded with canola oil. Instead, opt for the olives that are stored in water and packaged in a container. With these best-packaged olives, make sure you’re traveling safely AND healthily.
- Roland Kalamata Olives
- Divina Green Olives Stuffed with Sundried Tomato
- Gloria’s Harvest Pepper Stuffed Green Olives
- Tassos Natural Black Olives
- Mario Camacho Foods Pitted Snack Olives
Perishable and Non-Perishable Flight Snacks
For a long and safe flight, you must do proper research and only pack those food items that are non-perishable. To get more information regarding this matter, have a look at this table.
Perishable and Non-perishable Flight Snacks
| Perishable Snacks | Non-perishable Snacks |
| Milk or cheese (in raw form) | Raw nuts |
| Ground beef and steaks | Seeds (sunflower or pumpkin) |
| Seafood | Raw trail mix |
| Pork and bacon | Carrot sticks |
| Fruits without hard skins | Instant oatmeal |
Long Flights – Long Munching Hours
We hope this article managed to simmer your long-flight snack nerves. Long flights mean long hours of munching on your favorite snacks. Plane snacks don’t have to be all fancy and unsatisfying. They can be easy to prepare, full of flavor, and a source of entertainment for the kids. Therefore, don’t let your tummy growl during the flight, and pack some yummy and healthy snacks beforehand. They’ll save you money and time. However, to save yourself from the embarrassment, pile up the snacks in plane-friendly packagings, like reusable lunch boxes or ziplock bags, and make the most of your travels!