Skip to main content Skip to header navigation

How to avoid an airport diet disaster

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, bringing the weekend with the most passengers in the friendly skies. While running through the airport, save the splurging for turkey day to help stay on track and beat the bloat the rest of the travel season long.

1. Avoid Cinna-Big-Buns

Gigantic iced cinnamon roll

  • 880 calories
  • 17 grams saturated fat
  • 830 milligrams sodium
  • 2 grams fiber
  • 59 grams sugar

INSTEAD: Start your day off with this…

Cinnamon raisin bagel with packet of cream cheese

  • 450 calories
  • 5.5 grams fat
  • 700 milligrams sodium
  • 5 grams fiber

According to Dr. Jo, professional speaker and author of the forthcoming book, “Eat Out Healthy”, the average woman needs between 1500-2500 calories per day, making this bagel a reasonable choice for breakfast. “Since fiber is filling, those looking to maintain a healthy weight, especially, should aim for 25 to 35 grams daily.”

2. Avoid a Cup of Badunkadunk

16 ounce frozen blended chocolaty coffee drink

  • 500 calories
  • 98 grams of sugar

INSTEAD: Ask for one of these…

16 ounce iced mocha latte made with non-fat milk, without whipped cream

  • 170 calories
  • 36 grams sugar

“Due to new airport regulations, we can no longer carry fluids past the security area, putting us at the mercy of super-sized, sugary drinks,” Dr. Jo warns. Bringing an empty water bottle with you and filling it with filtered water from a soda fountain as soon as you get through security is a good plan for staying hydrated.

3. Ditch the Personal Love Handles

Personal pan pepperoni pizza

  • 720 calories
  • 8 grams saturated fat
  • 1680 milligrams sodium

INSTEAD: Satisfy your craving for a warm and toasty lunch with this…

6 inch oven-roasted chicken flatbread sandwich topped with vegetables

  • 330 calories
  • 1.5 grams saturated fat
  • 780 milligrams sodium

“In sensitive individuals, excess sodium can cause you to retain fluid, making you look bloated, and raise your blood pressure”, says Dr. Jo. Cutting out cured meats can reduce sodium drastically.

4. Muffin Top

Huge blueberry muffin

  • 480 calories
  • 2 grams fiber
  • 46 grams sugar

Rise and shine with this, instead…

Fruit and yogurt parfait

  • 160 calories
  • 1 gram saturated fat
  • 1 gram fiber
  • 21 grams sugar (McDonald’s®)

When reaching for a grab and go parfait, be sure to read the label, since, most other brands, according to Dr. Jo, “are huge and include lots of high calorie granola.”

5. Extra LBs

Quarter pound cheeseburger value meal

  • 1200 calories
  • 14.5 grams saturated fat
  • 1460 mg sodium
  • 8 grams fiber
  • 95 grams sugar

INSTEAD: Scale things down with this…

Regular cheeseburger, side salad with dressing, small diet cola

  • 420 calories
  • 7 grams saturated fat
  • 1310 mg sodium
  • 3 grams fiber
  • 11 grams sugar

Ordering a la carte can save you big in calories since the large portions of restaurant foods are too tempting. “Taking “half to go” isn’t an option if you have a three hour flight to catch. For those members of the Clean Plate Club, it’s critical to learn to leave food on the plate,” says Dr. Jo. “Wasting food is better than “waisting” it.”

 

More healthy Food choices

Diet Strategies for Women On the Go
Diet-Conscious Strategies When Choosing from a Menu
Healthier Food Choices for Every Meal of the Day

Leave a Comment