It’s hard to stay healthy when you fly. Normally, carriers serve barely edible meals and salt-ridden snacks. Ones with the lack of nutritious options at the airport, and your chances of eating a balanced meal that day is pretty much wasted.
Check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
To help to your diet goals as you travel, consider these tips and tricks for eating healthy on planes below.
Drink Water
Drinking water helps you control your appetite and keeps you feeling full a little while longer. Usually, people mistake dehydration as hunger, and goes for unhealthy plane snacks instead of a bottle of water. Be sure you’re drinking around 3 liters of water everyday to stay healthy and hydrated.
Avoid Coffee & Liquor
Try to avoid drinking coffee, liquor and anything else that isn’t water. Flying dehydrates your body, which causes headaches and hangover-like symptoms. It’s best to stick to drinking water.
BYO Healthy Snacks
Stave off hunger on the plane when you bring your own snacks like: protein bars, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. You might want to avoid salt-ridden snacks like pretzels and chips, which will increase dehydration.
Choose a Protein-Packed Meal
If you still feel hungry, it’s not bad to eat an airplane meal. But pick one with clean protein like a meal with: eggs, chicken breast, hummus, and yogurt. Additionally, it might come with a wrap or sandwich, but it’s a much healthier option than chips or cookies.
Leave the Unhealthy Items
After you have your protein-packed meal, we recommend eating the healthy parts first (side salad), and leave the unhealthy bits (bread, dessert) on your tray.
BONUS TIP: 4 Stress-Free Credit Cards
 The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 70,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors American Express Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/29/2025. You'll earn: • 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. • 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. • 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year. This card comes with $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, so you can enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
 The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel. Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card comes with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees which is a great choice as your go-to travel card! |
 The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. • 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). • 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. • 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. This card comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
 The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Card offers $200 Cash Back after spending $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day with no rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards. • Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply. This card comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees which makes this card a viable option for your go-to everyday card. |
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
 |
 |
Conclusion
Eating healthy when you’re at an airport or on the plane isn’t an impossible thing to do. Just follow the tips and tricks given above and you’ll be able to stay in line with your diet and being healthy.
