Money Saving Ideas for Delicious Food on-the-go

How about biting into a delicious sandwich at 30,000 feet...without having to spend a dime? Sure, it sounds great, but packing a lunch in addition to packing a suitcase can seem a little daunting the night before a big trip. The question of what will ‘keep’ and what will make it through security leaves many travelers puzzled. Allow us to serve as your travel guides with these culinary pointers on the best way to travel with food from home.

1. Breadless Sandwiches

Few things are more portable than a sandwich, so it’s no surprise to see travelers biting into one at their departure gates. But unless you choose a type that’s sturdy, bread can easily become squished or soggy in transit. That’s why we recommend rolling your sandwich material (soft cheese, veggies, toppings) inside slices of deli meat. A low-carb fix! Make sure all your food is wrapped, as this is a TSA requirement. (It’s fine to slather on your favorite dressing, as long as you use less than 3.4 oz.) Use disposable storage tubs, so you’re not stuck lugging Tupperware® around for the rest of your trip. And always, always double-wrap! Inside Tip: All foods must pass through x-ray, so be sure to wrap them in cellophane or parchment paper instead of aluminum foil.

2. Shrimp Cocktail

For an upscale treat that will class up any journey, bring along your own plate of shrimp cocktail. Place pre-cooked, ready-to-eat frozen shrimp in a portable container with a separate (3.4 oz or smaller) tub for the cocktail sauce. The shrimp will thaw in no time, making it the perfect delicacy to enjoy in the air, without having to pay for a first-class ticket. Inside Tip: If you bring along single-serve condiment packets (or obtain some from an obliging airport eatery) you’ll have less mess to deal with in the packing process.

3. Chai Tea Latte

It’s hard to pass up a rich, warming drink on a blustery winter’s day after navigating to the airport. However, artisan drinks like cappuccinos can be the biggest wallet-drainers of all. We’ve solved this dilemma with a simple solution that will end up costing youless than fifty cents per drink! Before you leave home, scoop out measured portions ofpowdered chai tea mix into mini zip-top bags. Once aboard your flight, combine with the right amount of hot water, adding a spot of milk or creamer from the flight attendant if desired.

4. Pasta Primavera

Yes, this can be enjoyed fresh even when far from a kitchen. Here’s how: The night before you fly, boil up your favorite short-length pasta (penne, for instance). Toss with fresh spinach and sliced tomatoes, pack individual servings in plastic containers, then refrigerate. When hunger strikes on the plane, ask the stewardess for a cup of hot water to pour over your pasta dish. Cover until the water begins to cool. Then, drain and sprinkle your warm dinner with cheese, salt and pepper.

5. Chilled Soup

Often forgot, chilled soups can be a sumptuous way to refresh yourself in summer heat. Amounts greater than 3.4 oz can even be taken onboard, as long as they’re frozen solid (no melting slush) at the time you pass through security. Enjoy with cheese and crackers for a healthful yet satisfying meal. Inside tip: Opt for a tomato-based broth inflight. A fascinating study reveals that our ability to taste certain flavors (sweet and salt) diminishes at high altitudes, and that people prefer bold, pungent flavors like tomato sauce while in the air.

6. Frozen Yogurt

Not the ice-cream. Actual yogurt that’s frozen. You may have heard of Yoplait Go-Gurt®. Designed to be frozen and thaw in children’s lunchboxes, these hand-held yogurt tubes fall well-within the TSA regulation size. While a go-gurt for grown-ups is harder to come by, these handy little snacks are perfect for indulging your inner child. Inside tip: Enjoy alongside some crunchy granola packed from home for a breakfast that’s satisfying and doesn’t cost eight bucks!

7. Grab-and-Go Bars

Speaking of granola, we realized no post on travel food would be complete without an homage to the gold standard of convenience foods: the granola bar. There are tons to choose from, but many are loaded with sugar and trans fat. Here are some of our experts’ top picks—as nourishing as they are delectable.

• Invest in a box of chocolate peanut butter Zing® Nutrition Bars. With a whopping 13 grams of protein, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Pair with a whole food carbohydrate (like fruit) for a satiating mini-meal.
• Keep a SOYJOY® on hand for those moments when the candy display begins to look tempting. Made from ground whole soybeans, their slim size makes them the perfect between-meal snack, and their cookie-like crunch is delightfully unexpected. Try the mango coconut!
• LARABAR® This innovative brand’s plethora of fun flavors (key lime pie and cashew cookie) might make you forget you’re eating an energy bar. And because they contain only a handful of ingredients (some as few as two!) you know you’re getting a nutritious, wholesome treat.

We hope this guide to food that travels well will help you use up all the leftovers in your fridge, and save you from shelling out for meal after overpriced meal at the airport. Please share food travel tips of your own in the section below—we’d love to hear from you. Enjoy your Christian travel experience, and, Bon Appetit!