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Getting Better Airline Meals

In a slowing economy, airlines are always on the hunt for cost-cutting measures and the catering budget is one that generally gets hit first. Airline carriers have restructured some of their policies on in-flight service to lower costs. Once upon a time, you could expect a meal around normal meal times, but that is no longer the case. Depending on the carrier, the meal time guidelines are based upon the exact time of departure --- even the number of air miles of your flight.

Airlines have been reporting dramatic increases in special meal requests over the past 2-3 years. Clearly people are now more conscious of their diet, but many passengers are also seeking to improve their selections during the flights. Almost 60 percent of special meals now ordered are vegetarian or fruit plates. However, ordering special meals generally requires 24 hours notification and is never guaranteed.

To combat the negative publicity surrounding airline food, many carriers have not only tried to cut costs, but improve the product. It is not an easy task to provide great tasting food at altitudes our commercial carriers fly in. As anyone who’s ever attempted to bake a cake at a mountain cabin will know, foods heat up and cook much differently at higher altitudes. Not only do they have a tendency to dry out at these altitudes, but food will also taste blander in the higher altitudes than in lower altitudes. The human body has a tendency to swell as well in higher altitudes, which can also affect our taste buds. Travel of any sort is not only mentally draining, but physically as well. "Fast energy foods" provide immediate effects upon our systems, but creates a ‘mountain and valley’ of energy peaks throughout an airline trip.

In the past several years, nutritional experts have discovered that a proper balance of carbohydrates and proteins produces the optimum benefit to travelers. Protein--meat, fish, poultry, tofu, eggs and beans--helps your brain function, because the end products of its digestion (amino acids) are used to make neurotransmitters in the brain. These are the chemical messengers that orchestrate emotions, feelings, mood and hunger. One amino acid, tyrosine, is needed to make the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which are associated with alertness and improved mental function. After a well-balanced meal that includes protein, tyrosine reaches its proper level.

However, it takes three to four hours for tyrosine to reach the brain and protein alone won't make you a clearer thinker. You've got to fuel your body, not just your brain. Otherwise you'll feel physically fatigued, which will take a toll on your mental performance. The solution is to add some carbohydrates. The energy effect of carbohydrates is more immediate, usually delivering its fuel in less than an hour.

It takes about five hours for the fuel of fibrous foods to reach the bloodstream. Foods that contain fat slow down digestion. One can get a time-released effect by combining fast-energy foods with longer lasting ones. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat bread is ideal, as is a baked potato stuffed with vegetables. And, during your marathon of changing planes or rushing to catch flights and taxis, snack on a combination of fruits, nuts and whole grain cereal to maintain your energy and mental alertness levels. Avoid that quick stop at the ice cream stand or the hot dog concessionaire at the airport! Your body will thank you for it later!

It's not easy to heat and provide decent meals at 35,000 feet but there are methods to get better airline meals.

Make sure your flight plans include a meal at all to begin with.
Consider ordering a "special meal" - investigate the options the airline offers.
If you want a special meal (there is no additional charge), request it when you make your flight reservation.
Special meal requests require from 6 to 24 hours notice - make sure you've done this.
Reconfirm your special meal request 48 hours prior to departure.
When you check-in for your flight, ask the gate attendant if there is a special meal request notated in your reservation.
Higher percentage business flights generally offer hot meals. If your schedule allows it, fly early in the morning or late at night, week days instead of weekends.
Don't count on a meal with a long trip that connects - you could miss being fed on both flights.
Avoid 'quick energy' foods. Instead, eat low-fat, high protein/carbohydrate foods. Avoid dehydration and caffeine - both will make you feel tired by the end of the trip.
Consider 'brown bagging' it - even to preparing your food at home and having the flight attendant micro waving it on board. Make sure to alert them upon boarding however - don't wait until meal service starts.

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