With the holidays arriving I know many of you are planning on traveling abroad to visit family or to simply escape the winter in favour of some heat! I myself am fresh of the plane and happily hugging my family and soaking up the Brazilian sun. Bliss.
I absolutely love to travel, and in this year alone I’ve been in about 40 flights! That is a lot of time in the air, so I’ve got a few tips and tricks on how to stay healthy on a plane so you can arrive feeling fresh and happy instead of blotchy and tired.
Water – this one is pretty obvious, but staying hydrated during a flight is absolutely essential. You can either bring an empty bottle (the S’well ones are gorgeous!) with you and ask them to fill it up once you’ve boarded, or you can buy a large 750ml bottle from a shop. Sip throughout your flight, and refill often. That not only means you stay hydrated, but also makes you get up and move around to go to the bathroom and for refills!
Lip balm – planes are super dry so it’s important to keep your lips well moisturised, as licking them constantly really only makes it worse. I love this sweet almond and apricot oil lip balm, always makes my lips feel smooth and glow-y.
Face mist – this rose mist is by far my favourite, it feels so fresh and it smells so lovely as well. I’ll spritz my face a few times throughout the flight and also right before disembarking to liven it up. It’s a quick and simple way to feel human again after a long flight!
Moisturiser – it’s not only our lips that suffer with the dry airplane air, our skin gets dried out as well. I’ll usually apply moisturiser twice, once right before sleeping (if it’s an overnight flight) and once again when I wake up and am about to get off the plane. I love Pai, and this moisturiser soaks up perfectly and never feels heavy or greasy.
Deodorant – don’t think this needs that much explanation really! Dragging luggage through the airport, running to the gate, shoving suitcases into the overhead compartment, things can get pretty sweaty sometimes, so a nice smelling deodorant really comes in handy.
I find snacks pretty important for flying, and luckily the healthy snack options are pretty endless!
I always try and bring one raw chocolate bar with me, it feels like something nice to have even though I’m stuck inside a plane! Especially if it’s a long flight, it’s great to have something to look forward to.
Other snack options are energy bars (look for ones without added sugar and preservatives), kale chips, flaxseed crackers, air-popped popcorn, bliss balls, nuts & seeds, chopped veggies like carrots and celery, sachets of nut butter and dates. I always pack quite a few snacks, that way I know I won’t run out if my flight is delayed and any extra ones I can always enjoy once I’m already at my destination.
Think through your meals and bring a big portion of whatever meal or meals you might be having. Under-packing and running out of food is never fun, especially since airplane food tends to be pretty horribly tasting and full of salt, and knowing I have some delicious food waiting for me to devour it is a great source of comfort.
Breakfast – bring delicious banana bread muffins, homemade granola bars, banana & oat cookies, breakfast cookies, or you can always buy fresh fruits like bananas and apples at the airport before boarding. If you do want to bring chia pots, overnight oats or bircher muesli remember to keep it under the 100ml allowance.
Lunch & dinner – this really depends on you and what you have time for. If I’ve had a busy day of packing and running around, I’ll grab some healthy takeaway from somewhere I know the food is wholesome and delicious. If I have time to cook, I’ll pack some roasted veggies or quinoa falafels, or even make a delicious bowl like my quinoa superfood salad and my black rice beauty bowl. Remember to be careful with hummus, sauces, and dips as they can cause a problem if they look like they’re more than 100ml.
Hi, I'm Teffy, a qualified Nutritionist and avid foodie. This blog is all about inspiring a balanced life through delicious and wholesome foods, with not a diet in sight. Healthy eating shouldn't be hard and stressful, it should be easy and fun - Working with my clients they are constantly amazed that yes, food can taste great AND be good for you!
