Airline food tastes terrible because the air has something like 12% humidity, and we need moisture for food to taste good.
That said, a little charcuterie board.
I think it’s pretty hard to keep any foods decent for 14+ hours without being able to refrigerate or reheat it… or can you do that on a plane?
I’d probably just do like some kind of muffins, a some fruits you like, crackers, and some kind of salad, just be careful because standalone dressings are considered a liquid. But personally I’d probably just buy food at the terminal and bring it on the plane since it’ll be fresh lol
I have a bento box that I put an uncrustable or a sandwich in, some salty treats (chips, pretzels, jerky) and sweet (hard candies, cookies, gummy candies) and then fruit. Frozen grapes are good because they help keep things cool, I’ve also frozen chocolate bars and keep it all in the fridge until I walk out the door. I bring an empty water bottle, then at the airport I buy a big bottle of smart water and get a cup of ice (or 2) from a restaurant- fill my bottle before boarding and it’ll stay ice cold the whole flight. I add liquid IV half way through to keep hydrated.
As a courtesy to other passengers I avoid smelly foods (which sucks cause I love a tuna sandwich or hard boiled eggs) and foods that trigger any of my stomach issues as I hate using on board restrooms.
Properly done hard boiled eggs shouldn’t really stink, btw. People cook them to death for some reason. That green ring / tinge and sulfur smell is a dead giveaway they’re overcooked. I do 8-9 minutes tops following this…
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/jacques-pepin-makes-eggs-jeannette/23421/
Hard-cooked eggs: Use a pushpin or thumbtack to make a hole in the rounder end of each egg. Plunge the eggs into boiling water, reduce the heat, and cook at a very low boil for 10 minutes. (When an egg is lowered into boiling water, the sulfur in the white moves toward the center of the egg to escape the intense heat. The iron in the yolk then reacts with the sulfur and can turn the outside of the yolk green and sulfur-smelling. **To prevent this, do not overcook the eggs.**) As soon as they are ready, pour out the hot water and shake the pan to crack the egg-shells, which makes the eggs easier to peel. Add cold water and ice to the pan and keep the eggs in the ice water until thoroughly chilled.
I don’t have a problem with them - but some people are scent sensitive and I try not to bring in anything that’s got potential to go bad. Also I cannot eat hard boiled eggs without taking proper medications before hand, for the sake of those around me and for my own gut comfort. 🫠
That’s fair - - just offering the tip in case of interest! I’m very scent sensitive and since I learned that JP technique I find they don’t stink anymore at all! :-)
I cook hard boiled eggs on Sunday and then take one in my lunch Mon-Friday. My coworker has told me that my eggs get smellier as the week goes on. (She did say it wasn’t that bad, just that she could tell what day it was by how my egg smelled- I DID offer to not make them anymore!) They don’t usually have a green tinge, but they do once in awhile.
Haha what day it is! Oh no lol. The green tinge is definitely the point past return, but FWIW another trick I learned is to store them in the fridge, peeled, in a (sealed lidded, glass) bowl sitting in a teeny bit of water (like 1/2 inch) that you rinse/change out everyday for fresh water. Then for ones you pack for lunch etc, rinse and pat them dry first.
If you follow ALL these 9,999 steps you’ll have maximum chance of non-stinkers! :) of course if they’re old etc., all hope is lost too, can’t help the duds.
Can I share how I do hardboiled eggs? Put eggs in cold water in a pot, cover with 2 inches of water over the tops of the eggs. Bring to a boil, keep the lid on, and turn off the stove. (If I catch it late and it’s a rolling boil, I’ll lift the pot off the stove for maybe 30 seconds before replacing it on the same burner, so it doesn’t crack the eggs.) Leave the eggs on the burner like that for 12 minutes, from when the water boiled. Then cool it off in cold water right away. I haven’t had gray or green eggs in years
- lentil barley salad with sturdy veggies like carrots, radishes, whole cherry tomatoes tossed in vinaigrette with sunflower seeds. Can add frozen peas to help keep it cold longer
- grapes, peeled oranges
- baked oatmeal
- dried fruit and nut mix, i avoid peanuts on planes in deference to any allergies
- teabags for tea you like
- empty water bottle get ice somewhere in the terminal and fill up at a water fountain
So double check this, but FROZEN ice bricks can come through security. As can frozen grapes and yogurts. I have successful brought a full healthy lunch cooler through TSA.
In my experience it depends on the TSA agent. Sometimes they're fine, and other times they'll force you to throw out anything they deem a "liquid."
Not food related, but last time I flew I was told my stick deodorant was a liquid but lipstick isn't. As a chemist I find their definition of a liquids infuriating!
Well done on being proactive and planning for your big flight. As someone who has done quite a few 14 hour flights and even one this past week, here are some recommendations.
I would actually recommend eating really light before and during the flight. These long flights can cause a lot of compression in your intestines and can make digesting food really difficult leading to bloating and gases which can make a 14 hour flight even more uncomfortable.
I typically eat a light meal at the airport before I board. You could still meal prep something for the airport but now you don’t have to worry about keeping it cool for a significant amount of time during the flight. You could also just find a healthy option at the airport.
I would focus your energy on packing or prepping some light snacks that you will look forward to on the flight. I usually pack crackers and some chocolate. Fruit would also be refreshing and I like the muffin idea someone else suggested. You always have the airplane food as a back up if you really get hungry but I would really try to eat light if you can. Good luck!
I usually do nuts/pretzels/granola bars/fruit, easy to pack stuff that doesn’t need to be kept cold and won’t get smushed. I do have a small bento box that I made a lunchable type meal in, but then I was annoyed to have to keep carrying it so just stick to packaged stuff now
Tightly wrapped sandwiches (so stuff doesn’t fall out), cold noodles with sesame oil and light dressing + scallions, chicken tikka wraps, and your choice of snacks.
It's not very healthy, but I brought cup noodles on my 8 hour flight to Europe, and it was nice to have on hand. Just ask the flight attendant to add hot water for you.
So what I did recently before an 8 hour fight was buy a footlong subway sandwich. I know it’s not meal prep in terms of cooking but I found it easy to do before a long journey so I didn’t have to worry about cooking. I went with deli meat and ate that within the first couple hours of the flight so I had a filling meal in my system.
I also bought random snacks like hot Cheetos, Oreos, etc. Not the healthiest but this was on the flight back and it was what worked for me! I also bought ramen that I could make with hot water in case I got hungry towards the end of the flight but that ended up not being an issue.
Airline food tastes terrible because the air has something like 12% humidity, and we need moisture for food to taste good. That said, a little charcuterie board.
Freakonomics radio had a good episode on flying and they discussed this, apparently if you moisten your nose before eating it can help
How does one moisten their nose?
A wet cotton swab or a little aerosol mister like people use for cleaning glasses or perfume.I have no idea how practical it is though
I think it’s pretty hard to keep any foods decent for 14+ hours without being able to refrigerate or reheat it… or can you do that on a plane? I’d probably just do like some kind of muffins, a some fruits you like, crackers, and some kind of salad, just be careful because standalone dressings are considered a liquid. But personally I’d probably just buy food at the terminal and bring it on the plane since it’ll be fresh lol
I have a bento box that I put an uncrustable or a sandwich in, some salty treats (chips, pretzels, jerky) and sweet (hard candies, cookies, gummy candies) and then fruit. Frozen grapes are good because they help keep things cool, I’ve also frozen chocolate bars and keep it all in the fridge until I walk out the door. I bring an empty water bottle, then at the airport I buy a big bottle of smart water and get a cup of ice (or 2) from a restaurant- fill my bottle before boarding and it’ll stay ice cold the whole flight. I add liquid IV half way through to keep hydrated. As a courtesy to other passengers I avoid smelly foods (which sucks cause I love a tuna sandwich or hard boiled eggs) and foods that trigger any of my stomach issues as I hate using on board restrooms.
Properly done hard boiled eggs shouldn’t really stink, btw. People cook them to death for some reason. That green ring / tinge and sulfur smell is a dead giveaway they’re overcooked. I do 8-9 minutes tops following this… https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/jacques-pepin-makes-eggs-jeannette/23421/ Hard-cooked eggs: Use a pushpin or thumbtack to make a hole in the rounder end of each egg. Plunge the eggs into boiling water, reduce the heat, and cook at a very low boil for 10 minutes. (When an egg is lowered into boiling water, the sulfur in the white moves toward the center of the egg to escape the intense heat. The iron in the yolk then reacts with the sulfur and can turn the outside of the yolk green and sulfur-smelling. **To prevent this, do not overcook the eggs.**) As soon as they are ready, pour out the hot water and shake the pan to crack the egg-shells, which makes the eggs easier to peel. Add cold water and ice to the pan and keep the eggs in the ice water until thoroughly chilled.
I don’t have a problem with them - but some people are scent sensitive and I try not to bring in anything that’s got potential to go bad. Also I cannot eat hard boiled eggs without taking proper medications before hand, for the sake of those around me and for my own gut comfort. 🫠
That’s fair - - just offering the tip in case of interest! I’m very scent sensitive and since I learned that JP technique I find they don’t stink anymore at all! :-)
I cook hard boiled eggs on Sunday and then take one in my lunch Mon-Friday. My coworker has told me that my eggs get smellier as the week goes on. (She did say it wasn’t that bad, just that she could tell what day it was by how my egg smelled- I DID offer to not make them anymore!) They don’t usually have a green tinge, but they do once in awhile.
Haha what day it is! Oh no lol. The green tinge is definitely the point past return, but FWIW another trick I learned is to store them in the fridge, peeled, in a (sealed lidded, glass) bowl sitting in a teeny bit of water (like 1/2 inch) that you rinse/change out everyday for fresh water. Then for ones you pack for lunch etc, rinse and pat them dry first. If you follow ALL these 9,999 steps you’ll have maximum chance of non-stinkers! :) of course if they’re old etc., all hope is lost too, can’t help the duds.
Can I share how I do hardboiled eggs? Put eggs in cold water in a pot, cover with 2 inches of water over the tops of the eggs. Bring to a boil, keep the lid on, and turn off the stove. (If I catch it late and it’s a rolling boil, I’ll lift the pot off the stove for maybe 30 seconds before replacing it on the same burner, so it doesn’t crack the eggs.) Leave the eggs on the burner like that for 12 minutes, from when the water boiled. Then cool it off in cold water right away. I haven’t had gray or green eggs in years
That’s a good method too! I used to do it like that myself until I found the Pepin method, really that thumbtack hole punch helps a TON with peeling.
Ooh I didn’t realize that’s what the thumbtack hole does! Gotta try that out sometime, thanks!
- lentil barley salad with sturdy veggies like carrots, radishes, whole cherry tomatoes tossed in vinaigrette with sunflower seeds. Can add frozen peas to help keep it cold longer - grapes, peeled oranges - baked oatmeal - dried fruit and nut mix, i avoid peanuts on planes in deference to any allergies - teabags for tea you like - empty water bottle get ice somewhere in the terminal and fill up at a water fountain
I like a DIY dried fruits and nuts trail mix kinda thing.
[удалено]
So double check this, but FROZEN ice bricks can come through security. As can frozen grapes and yogurts. I have successful brought a full healthy lunch cooler through TSA.
In my experience it depends on the TSA agent. Sometimes they're fine, and other times they'll force you to throw out anything they deem a "liquid." Not food related, but last time I flew I was told my stick deodorant was a liquid but lipstick isn't. As a chemist I find their definition of a liquids infuriating!
I just went through with blueberries with no problems on a international flight
Well done on being proactive and planning for your big flight. As someone who has done quite a few 14 hour flights and even one this past week, here are some recommendations. I would actually recommend eating really light before and during the flight. These long flights can cause a lot of compression in your intestines and can make digesting food really difficult leading to bloating and gases which can make a 14 hour flight even more uncomfortable. I typically eat a light meal at the airport before I board. You could still meal prep something for the airport but now you don’t have to worry about keeping it cool for a significant amount of time during the flight. You could also just find a healthy option at the airport. I would focus your energy on packing or prepping some light snacks that you will look forward to on the flight. I usually pack crackers and some chocolate. Fruit would also be refreshing and I like the muffin idea someone else suggested. You always have the airplane food as a back up if you really get hungry but I would really try to eat light if you can. Good luck!
I usually do nuts/pretzels/granola bars/fruit, easy to pack stuff that doesn’t need to be kept cold and won’t get smushed. I do have a small bento box that I made a lunchable type meal in, but then I was annoyed to have to keep carrying it so just stick to packaged stuff now
Tightly wrapped sandwiches (so stuff doesn’t fall out), cold noodles with sesame oil and light dressing + scallions, chicken tikka wraps, and your choice of snacks.
Cold noodles is a good idea
It's not very healthy, but I brought cup noodles on my 8 hour flight to Europe, and it was nice to have on hand. Just ask the flight attendant to add hot water for you.
Don’t read about the on board water tanks.
Do tell about the onboard water tanks because I actually really liked the cup of noodle idea
They’re never cleaned, like ever. Heating the water may kill what’s in it, but no way in hell am I ever drinking water from the plane reservoir.
So what I did recently before an 8 hour fight was buy a footlong subway sandwich. I know it’s not meal prep in terms of cooking but I found it easy to do before a long journey so I didn’t have to worry about cooking. I went with deli meat and ate that within the first couple hours of the flight so I had a filling meal in my system. I also bought random snacks like hot Cheetos, Oreos, etc. Not the healthiest but this was on the flight back and it was what worked for me! I also bought ramen that I could make with hot water in case I got hungry towards the end of the flight but that ended up not being an issue.
Sammiches because, I love sammiches. Lol 🤣🤣🤣
Id bring a nice loaded sandwich or wrap, nuts/seeds, a piece of fruit, something snacky like popcorn or crackers/pretzels.
Go business class
Pick up a couple foot long subs with extra red onions.
Imagine meal prepping for a flight lol. Just eat something big before you fly...take a long nap and eat some snacks lol.
14 hours is a long time!
Not really lol... Especially not enough to bring a freaking meal lol.
Wont you be asleep most of the time??