Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

10 Foods to Avoid Eating at the Airport

Foods to Avoid Eating at the Airport

Airports are bustling hubs filled with diverse food options designed to cater to travelers in a hurry. While the temptation to grab a quick bite before boarding is high, not all foods are ideal for consumption before or during a flight.

Eating the wrong foods can lead to discomfort, sluggishness, or even illness, ruining your travel experience. In this article, we’ll explore ten foods to avoid at the airport, why they can cause problems, and provide smarter alternatives to keep you comfortable and energized.

Why Airport Food Choices Matter?

Traveling can be stressful, with long hours of waiting, security checks, and sometimes tight connections. Eating the wrong food before a flight can worsen the experience by causing bloating, dehydration, or gastrointestinal distress. Your body undergoes unique stresses when flying, such as reduced oxygen levels, pressurized cabins, and dry air, which can amplify the effects of unhealthy or poorly chosen meals.

Making thoughtful food choices can ensure you stay energized, hydrated, and ready for your journey. Let’s dive into the top ten foods to avoid at the airport and explore why they’re not the best travel companions.

1. Greasy Fast Food

Fast food is readily available at most airports, and it’s hard to resist the allure of a burger and fries. However, greasy foods are heavy on the stomach and can cause indigestion, bloating, or heartburn. Airplane cabins already have lower air pressure, which can make your digestive system work harder to process high-fat meals.

Healthier Alternatives

Opt for grilled chicken wraps, salads, or a turkey sandwich if you need something filling but lighter. These options provide protein and nutrients without overwhelming your digestive system.

2. Spicy Foods

Spicy dishes can irritate the stomach lining and cause acid reflux, especially if you’re sitting for long periods on a plane. The pressurized cabin air can amplify these effects, leading to discomfort during the flight.

Why It’s Risky?

Capsaicin, the compound in spicy foods that gives them heat, can also trigger stomach cramps or an upset stomach, particularly for those with sensitive digestive systems.

Healthier Alternatives

Choose mild dishes like grilled vegetables, plain rice, or chicken to avoid any unnecessary gastric distress.

3. Carbonated Drinks

Sodas and other carbonated beverages might seem like a refreshing choice, but they can lead to bloating due to the trapped gas from carbonation. This discomfort is often exacerbated by the changes in air pressure during a flight.

Why It’s Risky?

The carbon dioxide in these drinks expands at high altitudes, making bloating or stomach pain more likely.

Healthier Alternatives

Stick to water, herbal teas, or electrolyte drinks. These options keep you hydrated without introducing excess gas into your system.

4. Alcohol

Many travelers enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail before a flight, but alcohol is a dehydrating agent. Since airplane cabins already have low humidity levels, consuming alcohol can exacerbate dehydration, leading to fatigue, headaches, and dry skin.

Why It’s Risky?

Alcohol also impairs judgment and can disrupt your sleep cycle, which isn’t ideal when traveling across time zones.

Healthier Alternatives

Instead of alcohol, sip on sparkling water with a slice of lemon for a refreshing yet hydrating drink.

5. Dairy Products

While yogurt, cheese, or a creamy coffee might sound tempting, dairy can cause bloating or an upset stomach, especially for those with lactose intolerance. The confined space of an airplane cabin makes this an uncomfortable experience.

Why It’s Risky?

Even if you’re not lactose intolerant, heavy dairy consumption can contribute to sluggishness or discomfort.

Healthier Alternatives

Choose non-dairy options like almond or oat milk for your coffee, or snack on nuts and seeds for a protein boost.

6. Fried Snacks

From chicken tenders to onion rings, fried snacks are a common airport staple. However, fried foods are loaded with unhealthy fats, which can slow digestion and leave you feeling lethargic.

Why It’s Risky?

Fried foods are also high in sodium, increasing your risk of dehydration in the dry cabin air.

Healthier Alternatives

Look for baked or roasted options, such as trail mix, popcorn, or air-popped chips.

7. Raw Vegetables

While raw veggies are typically healthy, they can be hard to digest, especially when paired with dips like hummus or ranch dressing. The fiber content in raw vegetables can lead to bloating and gas, which are uncomfortable during long flights.

Why It’s Risky?

The reduced pressure in the cabin may make your digestive system less efficient at processing fibrous foods.

Healthier Alternatives

Opt for cooked vegetables or small portions of fruits like bananas or apples for easier digestion.

8. Sugary Treats and Pastries

Doughnuts, muffins, and candy bars might give you a quick energy boost, but their high sugar content can cause a crash later. This is particularly problematic on long flights where maintaining steady energy levels is important.

Why It’s Risky?

Sugary foods also contribute to dehydration, as your body uses more water to process the sugar.

Healthier Alternatives

Pack a granola bar, dark chocolate, or dried fruit for a more balanced and sustaining treat.

9. Seafood

While seafood might seem like a fancy choice, it’s best avoided at the airport. Improper storage or preparation can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses, and seafood tends to spoil faster than other protein sources.

Why It’s Risky?

The last thing you want is food poisoning before boarding a flight. Seafood with strong smells can also be unpleasant for fellow passengers.

Healthier Alternatives

Stick to lean meats like turkey or chicken, which are safer and easier to digest.

10. Large Portions

Overeating at the airport can lead to discomfort during your flight. Large meals stretch the stomach, making it harder to sit comfortably in the tight space of an airplane seat.

Why It’s Risky?

Your metabolism slows down when you’re inactive for long periods, making it harder for your body to process large quantities of food efficiently.

Healthier Alternatives

Opt for smaller, balanced meals or snacks, such as a small sandwich, a piece of fruit, or a handful of nuts.

Table: Foods to Avoid and Smarter Substitutes

Food to Avoid Healthier Alternative
Greasy fast food Grilled chicken wrap, salad
Spicy foods Plain rice, grilled vegetables
Carbonated drinks Water, herbal tea
Alcohol Sparkling water with lemon
Dairy products Non-dairy alternatives
Fried snacks Baked or roasted snacks
Raw vegetables Cooked vegetables, bananas
Sugary treats and pastries Dark chocolate, granola bar
Seafood Chicken or turkey
Large portions Smaller, balanced meals

Final Thoughts

Eating the right foods before a flight can make all the difference in how you feel during and after your journey. While airports offer a wide variety of dining options, not all of them are suitable for air travel. Avoiding greasy, spicy, or overly sugary foods, and choosing lighter, nutrient-rich alternatives, can help you stay energized and comfortable.

Planning ahead by packing healthy snacks or researching food options at your departure airport can save you from making hasty decisions. Prioritize your health and comfort so that you arrive at your destination feeling your best.


Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Related Articles

Top Trending

Bill Gates Elon Musk aid cuts
Bill Gates Blames Elon Musk for Aid Cuts That Hurt World's Poor
India X censorship
India Orders X to Block 8,000 Accounts Amid Censorship Controversy
Bitcoin Hits $100K as Ethereum Soars
Bitcoin Hits $100K as Ethereum Soars — Crypto’s Best Week Yet
Tish Cyrus Miley Cyrus Feud
Tish Cyrus Clears the Air on Miley Cyrus Feud Rumors
pakistan claims india struck airbases
India Allegedly Strikes 3 Pakistani Airbases with Missiles, Drones

LIFESTYLE

summer birthday party ideas
Creative Summer Birthday Party Ideas for Kids in 2025
May 6 Zodiac
May 6 Zodiac: Positive Traits, Compatibility and More about Taurus
self storage solutions for life transitions
How Self Storage Can Help During Major Life Changes (Divorce, Moving, etc.)?
why is my poinsettia dying
Why Is My Poinsettia Dying? Tips To Revive Your Wilting Poinsettia Plant
crypto retirement plan strategies
7 Ways Crypto Can Reshape Your Retirement Plan for the Future

Entertainment

Tish Cyrus Miley Cyrus Feud
Tish Cyrus Clears the Air on Miley Cyrus Feud Rumors
taylor swift praises dublin stadium staff mid song
Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Blake Lively–Baldoni Film Lawsuit
Thunderbolts Hits $35M Weekend
‘Thunderbolts’ Hits $35M Weekend, ‘Sinners’ Surges to $20M
andy cohen net worth
Andy Cohen Net Worth: Find Out How He Became a Multi-Millionaire in 2025
rihanna hinted pregnancy before met gala
Rihanna Hinted at Pregnancy Before Met Gala, Says Anna Wintour

GAMING

Best Mobile Horror Games
The Best Mobile Horror Games That Will Keep You Up at Night
Evolution of Video Game Graphics
The Evolution of Video Game Graphics: 1980s to 2025
Best Workouts Inspired by Video Games
Level Up Your Fitness: Best Video Game-Inspired Workouts
rocket league unblocked
Rocket League Unblocked: Soccer And Vehicular Mayhem Online Game
Maksym Krippa GSC Game World
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Reimagined: How Maksym Krippa’s Entry Reshaped GSC Game World in 2023

BUSINESS

Business Behind Game Localization
The Business Behind Game Localization: How It Works
International Employment Agencies
How international employment agencies can help you find talent in hard-to-reach markets?
Transition Your Business to Web3
How to Transition Your Business to Web3 Successfully
How to Calculate Quarterly Tax Payments
How to Calculate Quarterly Tax Payments in 5 Easy Steps
credit suisse tax evasion
Credit Suisse Fined $511M for U.S. Offshore Tax Evasion Scheme

TECHNOLOGY

bill gates accuses elon musk of harming poor children
Bill Gates Blames Elon Musk for Harming World's Poorest Children
interactive videos with AI voice
Guide for Making Interactive Videos with AI Voice
Maksym Krippa GSC Game World
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Reimagined: How Maksym Krippa’s Entry Reshaped GSC Game World in 2023
Strengthening Cybersecurity with Security Operations
Strengthening Cybersecurity with Security Operations, CWPP, and Product Security
pitch a game idea
How to Pitch a Game Idea to a Developer or Publisher?

HEALTH

Yimusanfendi
7 Incredible Benefits of Yimusanfendi Meditation and Possible Side Effects
Connection Between Hydration and Urinary Health
The Connection Between Hydration and Urinary Health
Neuralink Brain Implant Patient Regains Speech
Neuralink Brain Implant Helps ALS Patient Regain Speech with AI Support
Wegovy for Weight Loss
Wegovy for Weight Loss: Is It Worth Buying Online?
Role of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in IVF
The Role of Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in IVF with ICSI Success