How Healthy Is YOUR Airline Food? A Diet Expert Compares Them All

How healthy is YOUR airline food? A diet expert compares them all and offers the complete guide on what to eat at 35,000 feet

• Virgin, once again, came out on top in the NYC Food Policy Center study
• Delta and Air Canada were also commended for transparency and taste
• Southwest, Frontier and Spirit Airlines all came near the bottom

No one looks forward to airline food.

From congealed 'lasagne' to rock hard 'chicken' doused in 'cheese' - we've all heard of, if not experienced, some dubious culinary creations at 35,000 feet.

But come holiday season, many of us may not have much of a choice: this year, 38 million Americans are expected to be traveling.

And some will be luckier than others, according to diet expert Dr Charles Platkin.

As he does every year, Dr Platkin, director of the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College and editor of Diet Detective, has studied the best 'calorie bargains' and 'calorie rip-offs' across 12 airlines.



Dr Platkin, director of the NYC Food Policy Center at Hunter College and editor of Diet Detective, has studied the best 'calorie bargains' and 'calorie rip-offs' across 12 airlines


The top award went - once again - to Virgin America, who scored highest in calorie levels, taste, menu information, and providing nutritional information.

Delta and Air Canada tied in second place.

Southwest and Spirit were in the bottom five alongside some smaller airlines, including Hawaii and Frontier Air.

Dr Platkin found that, for the first time in five years, the average number of calories per food item has stopped increasing - in fact, it has dropped eight calories.

The average number of calories per food item was 360 in 2012; in 2013 it was 388; in 2014 it was 397, 2015 it was 400, and this year it's 392, an eight calorie decrease over last year.

The study assigned a 'Health Score' (5 stars = highest rate, 0 star = lowest).

The scores are based on ten criteria including taste, price, health of meals, snack boxes and individual snacks, improvement and maintenance of healthy offerings, menu innovation and cooperation in providing nutritional information.

The survey includes health ratings, average calories per airline, cost, comments, best bets, food offerings, calories, and exercise equivalents.


VIRGIN AMERICA

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Excellent

Health score: **** 1/4

Average calories overall: 337

Average snack box calories: 394

Average meal calories: 406

Average individual snack calories: 256

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Avoid the individual snack if you can. Even the nuts, which are the best choice, are high in calories if you consume the entire package. Always choose a real meal if you can, even if it's slightly more calories it will keep you full longer.

'For breakfast try the Udi's Granola with Yogurt and Fruit, which is a bit high in sugar but overall low in calories at 330.

'The best snack box is the Protein Meal with hummus, nuts and tuna; the others are a bit high in calories and are not really worth it.





'For kids, skip the Jet Set Kid Pack if you can, and go for the half peanut butter and jam sandwich (which unfortunately jumped 60 calories from last year). It's still a better choice.

'In general, almost all the meals (as long as they're eaten as meals and not snacks) are good choices. I was sorry to see the Salmon Ginger Salad go.

'However, the Ginger Chicken Soba Noodles at only 328 calories are a good choice and high in protein, which will help keep you full longer.

'If you like tuna, the Provencal Tuna Sandwich is a reasonably good choice with a nice amount of protein and low-fat mayo, the Protein Plate is also a good choice, as is the Vegan Wrap with veggies and humus - powerful from a health perspective.

'Again, these are meals that will fill you up and help you avoid the junk.

'The good news is that none of the food goes overboard in terms of calories, so you really can't go too far wrong.'


DELTA AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Excellent

Health score: ****

Average calories overall: 527

Average snack box calories: 560

Average meal calories: 628

Average individual snack calories: 153

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'For a snack, the nuts are the best choice - even over the lower-calorie pretzels.

'The vegan, gmo-free Tapas Snack Box is a good healthy choice if you share or make it a meal (it's too high in calories as a snack).

'For within the box, the best bests are the Super Seed Crackers, Snapea Crisps, dark chocolate, almonds, hummus, and quinoa with pepper dip, you can pass on the rest.





'For morning travel choose the continental breakfast (fruit and yogurt).

'It's 331 calories, but save the Kind bar for a snack later in the day.

'If you're on a transcontinental flight, your best bet is the LUVO Fresh Breakfast Medley.

'For Lunch/Dinner on regular westbound flights, choose the LUVO Southwest Grilled Chicken Wrap (without the cookie), and on eastbound flights the LUVO Sesame Grilled Chicken Wrap is a good choice.

'Again, you can skip the cookie to save calories.

'For Lunch/Dinner on transcontinental flights, the LUVO Mediterranean Whole Grain Veggie Wrap is a good choice and will fill you up (without the cookie).

'Pass on the Mesquite-Smoked Turkey Combo and the Black Angus Burger.'

AIR CANADA

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Excellent

Health score: ****

Average calories overall: 337

Average meal calories: 342

Average individual snack calories: 331

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'For breakfast, the Greek yogurt is still a good option - and will probably fill you up.

'And while the egg sandwich has bacon, it's low in calories and has slightly more protein than the yogurt.

'The Chicken Soup is a low calorie choice for a snack that will fill you up, but be wary of the 950mg of sodium if you have high blood pressure.

'The Celery & Carrots with Ranch Dip (if you you use no more than half the dip) is still an OK choice.





'While the hummus and the new guacamole options sound healthy, the pretzels and Tostitos offer little nutritional value, and you'd be better off having a meal if meals are available.

'If meals are available, the newly added LUVO Orange Mango Chicken is a good low-calorie choice.

'The California Roll is another a light offering that's low in fat and calories. It would also make a great snack!

'The Roasted Vegetable Sandwich is also a healthy, low calorie option.'

ALASKA AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Extremely Helpful

Health score: *** 3/4

Average calories overall: 521.6

Average snack box calories: 432.8

Average meal calories: 572

Average individual snack calories: 240

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Alaska does not have individual snacks - a good thing.

'Among the snack boxes, the Mediterranean Tapas hasn't changed much from last year and is still the healthiest choice.

'It has olives, hummus, almonds, dried fruit and even a dark chocolate bar.

'But keep in mind that 519 calories is a bit high for a 'snack' (or even a meal), so it's best if you either share the box or have it as a meal replacement.

'For kids, the snack box may be tempting, but it's always better for children (and adults) to eat a real meal than it is to 'snack' aimlessly.



'FYI, the beef jerky is low in calories but very high in sodium.

'As far as breakfast goes, you can pick the Breakfast Scramble; it's high in calories but will keep you full longer.

'If you opt for the fruit and cheese plate, skip the crackers and half the cheese.

'There aren't too many dinner choices, but the Miso Chicken will suffice as long as you consider it a meal.'

JETBLUE AIRWAYS

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Helpful

Health score: *** 1/2

Average calories overall: 330

Average snack box calories: 441

Average meal calories: 483

Average individual snack calories: 161

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Still not too much in the way of healthy individual snacks.

'So keep in mind, the individual snacks are free and the JetBlue team is generally friendly and will not say no to requests for extra portions.

'As for the meal boxes, we still like the Pump Up, which has healthy ingredients (Mary's Gone Crackers-Original, olives, hummus and bean crisps), but remember that it's a meal and should not be eaten as a snack ( skip the olives if you are sodium sensitive).

'Skip the other meal boxes, which are high in calories and fat and offer little in terms of nutrition.

'If you are on a flight that offers the Eat Up Café, the Yogurt and Granola (you might want to limit the honey), the Kale & Quinoa Salad and the Spicy Soba & Korean-Style Chicken (unless you're sodium sensitive) are all good choices.

'Skip the Grilled Chicken and Brie Sandwich, which is very high in calories and low on nutrition.'


UNITED AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Helpful

Health score: *** 1/4

Average calories overall: 444

Average meal calories: 508

Average snack box calories: 502

Average individual snack calories: 376

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Among the individual snacks, the humus is the best choice.

'Or else share the Sweet & Savory Bistro Blend Trail Mix with at least a few others if you can. It's better than the other choices.

'Get the Tapas snack box, which is high in calories but has many healthy foods, including almonds, olives, hummus and bruschetta; just toss out the cheese spread. You should also share it unless you're eating it as a meal.





'Skip the Classic and Select snack boxes.

'For breakfast, your best bet is the Chicken Sausage Egg Skillet, but skip the chicken sausage to save calories. Also, skip the ham baguette.

'For Lunch/Dinner, the airline removed last year's best bet, the wrap and salad combo.

'The new options are not great; however, the Mediterranean Chicken Wrap is your best bet and should keep you full.

'For kids, the Ben Flyin is better than any of the other airlines' kids boxes and might be worth getting to keep your kids smiling, but probably will not fill them up.'

AMERICAN AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Good

Health score: ***

Average calories overall: 367

Average meal calories: 511.75

Average snack box calories: 497

Average individual snack calories: 246.5

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'For individual snacks the hummus and chips are still your best choice. Skip the snack box unless you toss the salami and cheese.

'The Thai Ginger Chicken Wrap is a good choice, but skip the sesame-ginger dressing.

'For breakfast on flights of more than two but less than three hours (see below) there's not much to eat; and while the trail mix may seem like a healthy choice, it's very high in calories, so you would need to split it with at least one other person.



'On flights of three hours or more, the Breakfast Sandwich is an OK choice as long as you go light on the honey mustard dressing.

'The fruit and cheese plate has fresh fruit and the cheese can be OK if you share it with your seatmate.'




SOUTHWEST AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Very Good

Health score: **

Average calories overall: 190.4

BEST BET

Dr Platkin writes: 'The peanuts are the best, even though the pretzels are lower in calories.

'There haven't been many healthy changes to the menu, and don't be fooled by the word 'veggie' in the wheat thins.'




HAWAIIAN AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Somewhat Helpful

Health score: * 3/4

Average calories overall: 497

Average meal calories: 841

Average individual snack calories: 426

Average snack box calories: 487

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Among the snacks, choose the Hummus & Pita Chips - it's really the lower calorie choice, and better than any of the individual snacks, which are very high in calories.

'You might think the Salted Macadamia Nuts would be a good choice, and they do have healthy properties, but only if you split them with 5 other people or have them over the course of a few weeks.

'Also, keep in mind, you will probably get a very high calorie, unhealthy free meal on your flight- so go light on those snacks.

'Don't be fooled by the Gluten Free Box; while many of the individual items are OK healthwise, it's still high in calories and should be shared or eaten as a meal.

'For the complimentary meals try to go light on the breads, treats and dressings.

'In the end, it would be best to eat before you board the plane; otherwise else you might wind up feeling lethargic and cranky after one of these calorie-heavy meals. The meals and accompaniments look very heavy and unhealthy.

'Just say no, and bring your own food.'




ALLEGIANT AIR

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Very Helpful

Health score: * 3/4

Average calories overal: 395

Average individual snack calories: 379

Average snack box calories: 435

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'For the individual snacks, the nuts might work if you share with at least one other person.

'The hummus snack pack is your best bet if you're mid-flight, but the snack boxes are not great in terms of health (and not just calorie-wise).

'Avoid the Deli Snack Pack, and while the Wingz Kids Snack Pack is not healthy, if you're nagged by a child into purchasing it, at least a $1 of every sale is directly donated to Make-A-Wish.'



SPIRIT AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Terrible

Health Score: *

Average calories overall: 383

Average individual snack calories: 366

Average snack box calories: 520

BEST BET

Dr Platkin writes: 'The cup of noodle soup at 290 calories is still the only choice that will feel like a real meal, but it is very high in sodium, so it is not the best bet for someone who is sodium-sensitive or has high blood pressure .

'All the muffins are at least 400 caloriesnot the best choices unless you split one (if you're the type of person who can do that).

'Bringing your own food is actually the best option. The chips and salsa are the lowest calorie choice of all the snacks but probably won't fill you up.

'Skip the snack box.'



FRONTIER AIRLINES

Cooperation in providing nutritional information: Terrible and rude

Health score: *

Average individual snack calories: 380

BEST BETS

Dr Platkin writes: 'Perhaps the trail mix - but we had to estimate the calories and don't know the nutrient values - share it and you'll be safe.

'Also, if you're not sodium sensitive you can grab the jerky.

'Bring your own food is the bottom line.'


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