If you want to stay on track with a diet, or following a specific meal plan. Then packing your own healthy snacks for a long flight is a must. Additionally, it will help you resist the urge to reach for an unhealthy snack at the airport. Furthermore, if you’re stuck on the tarmac with limited water and no food, you’ll have your own snacks.
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Read below for more information on some of the best healthy snacks to pack in your carry on, how to pack cold food, and what snacks you should stay away from.
For business travelers, check out our Complete Guide to Staying Fit While Traveling for Business.
Healthy Travel Snack Ideas
The snacks below are great options to pack for traveling. They keep you energized, and satisfied while you fly.
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Protein bars
- Fruit/nut bars
- Granola bars
- Dried fruit
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Crackers
- Granola
- Low-sugar cereal
- Trail mix
- Applesauce
- Olives
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Seaweed snacks
- String cheese
- Hummus
- Rice Cakes
- Protein powder
- Dry oatmeal cup
- Kale chips
- Jerky
- Sandwich
- Wrap
- Nut butter
- Seeds
Packing Cold Travel Snacks
There are several ways for you to keep your food cold when you travel. To start, you can borrow a lunch box, or invest into a soft-sided cooler. Plus, there are also bags on the market that feature insulated compartments for your cold snacks and space for your laptop.
Avoid Smelly Travel Snacks
Be considerate of others on the flight with you and avoid packing snacks with strong odors. When you’re stuck in an air-sealed room like an airplane, the smell will linger for the whole flight. Try to stay away from:
- Fish or shellfish
- Garlic or onions
- Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower)
- Strong-smelling cheese
- Anything fermented
Pack a Travel Credit Card
A credit card isn’t a healthy snack, but when you travel, it’s important to have the right cards at hand. You don’t want to miss out on the perks and rewards you can earn with them. Additionally, you can get access to funds when you need them. Here are some recommendations you should consider from our guide to The Best Travel Credit Cards.
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 125,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card(R). The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required. • With American Express Global Lounge Collection you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder. • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month. • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues. • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. This card comes with a $695 annual fee.¤ (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. |
 The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
 The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®. |
Additional Guides
Here are some extra guides to help you find the best credit card suited for your needs.
- Best Airline Credit Cards for Travel Benefits and Rewards.
- Hotel Credit Cards for Travel Benefits + Rewards.
- Travel Credit Cards: Rewards and Benefits.
- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Family Vacations.
- Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Best Rewards Credit Cards: Cash, Points, Miles, & Benefits
- Cash Back Credit Cards: Welcome Bonuses, Rewards
- Best Dining Credit Cards: Restaurant Points, Rewards & Cash Back
- Grocery Credit Cards: Co-Branded, Cashback & Rewards
- Best Small Business Credit Cards: Points, Miles & Rewards
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Conclusion
Don’t give yourself the chance to pack bad snacks on your flight. Pack healthy snacks to give yourself energy and to satisfy your hunger. This way, you’ll feel better when you land.
If you’re traveling for a special occasion and want to learn how to pack formal wear, check out our complete guide here.
