Heart-healthy food doesn’t dominate menus at airports, where fast-food restaurants rule and giant cinnamon buns beckon.
So what should health-conscious travelers stuck at airports eat? About 5 million people will be flying for the Thanksgiving holiday in 2023. AAA predicts. Many airlines face flight delays or cancellations when the weather is unfavorable or airlines experience logistical problems.
At this time, airport eateries attract customers seeking food that is easy to eat and delicious, but is loaded with fat, salt, and sugar. Cardiologists are well aware of that temptation.
Dr. Susan Chen, a professor of cardiology and director of public health research at the Smit Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, was at an airport recently when a cake display caught her eye.
“It was a huge slice of these gorgeous, rich-looking cakes in different flavors,” Chen told TODAY.com. “It was a very beautiful display, but I don’t really want to eat cake for lunch.”
“No matter where you are or what your situation is, eating healthy is probably your best bet,” says Dr. Andrew Freeman, director of cardiovascular prevention and health at National Jewish Health in Denver. added.
“If you’re going to be at the airport for more than 24 or 48 hours, you have to get creative.”
What do cardiologists who know what they know about heart health eat when stuck at an airport? Three cardiologists share their daily routines
What cardiologists eat at airports:
snack from home
The best strategy is to be prepared.
“You’re completely trapped at the airport, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bring in food,” Freeman said.
He packs apples and oranges that are surprisingly filling and fit in his backpack, as well as a portable peanut butter pack for a little extra protein. Freeman sometimes makes her own salads and takes them to the airport.
sandwich shop options
Chen recently found a simple and nutritious tuna salad sandwich at the airport and called it “perfect.”
Freeman, who doesn’t eat meat, likes to order the veggie sub without cheese and mayonnaise. “Sometimes you’ll find a little avocado or hummus in your sandwich, which is amazingly delicious,” he says.
Omelette
The goal is to find good foods that keep you full, says Dr. Mark Eisenberg, a clinical cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.
“If you find a diner there, it’s best to get something like an omelet,” said Eisenberg, co-author of “Am I Dying?!: A Complete Guide to Your Symptoms–and What to Do Next.” told TODAY. Com.
“I think eggs are absolutely safe when you’re at the airport.”
Nutritionists say eggs contain protein, vitamins, antioxidants and healthy fats. Eisenberg added that they have not been shown to raise cholesterol in many people. But he urged travelers to watch their salt intake, calling butter one of the “worst foods”.
starbucks options
Freeman said coffee chains usually have oatmeal, which is great for breakfast.
He also likes to order drinks without added dairy or sweeteners. A bagel that can be topped with hummus or guacamole. Or a plant-based protein box with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Chen added that Starbucks often has baskets of bananas, which are very nutritious and healthy as they are rich in fiber and potassium.
takeaway store food
Chen might pick up a small bag of nuts, a fruit and nut bar, or a small container of yogurt. Yogurt is good for your gut microbiome, but it’s important to watch the sugar content, she advises.
These stores also often carry fresh fruit, fruit cups and salads, Freeman added.
mexican food
“Most airports have Mexican food options, and in fact, most of the time you can easily get tacos or rice bowls with brown rice, vegetables, beans, salsa, etc., without the meat, cheese, or sour cream. “We can do that,” Freeman said. .
Steakhouse a la carte
Most airports also have steakhouses, but travelers don’t have to worry about the menu. “Tell them you want a plain baked potato and green beans without butter,” Freeman advises. “They may think you’re strange, but it’s actually surprisingly easy for them.”
Foods cardiologists avoid at airports:
Fast food and giant cinnamon buns
Hamburgers, fries, and other foods high in saturated fat, salt, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and sugar are at the top of the list. According to the company, the Cinnabon Classic Roll has 880 calories.
But pizza is probably a better option than a burger at a fast-food restaurant, Eisenberg said.
plenty of salad
“If you put beef, pork, chicken, and ranch dressing on a salad, everything you want on a salad, you can instantly turn it into a double cheeseburger,” Freeman cautions.
“In many cases, salads can contain more calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol than the cheeseburger itself when prepared in the usual American way.”
vending machine food
Freeman is always cautious about vending machine options. “I tell my patients: The longer the shelf life, the shorter the lifespan.”
Conclusion:
In general, eating bad food for a day or two (if it’s the only option) is unlikely to harm most healthy people, but travelers with heart failure, high blood pressure, or diabetes are more likely to Eisenberg says we need to be careful.
But there’s a difference between what people do on a daily basis and what they do at specific times, such as traveling for Thanksgiving, he added.
If you’re stuck at the airport, perhaps with your kids, and you need something to relieve your mood and buy you patience and time, do what you need to do, Chen added.
“But in general, I encourage patients to continue doing what they know is good for their health,” she advises.
