| Get With the Program! Basics |
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| The healthiest vegetables are always green. Greens are undoubtedly healthy, but vegetables and fruits in other colors—red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple—all bring different nutrients to the table. You’ll get the most antioxidants, vitamins and minerals if you keep your plate colorful. |
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I have always traveled a good bit, crisscrossing the country by plane to talk about Get With the Program! and to work with clients. Years ago I got in the habit of planning my meals around my flights so I didn’t get stuck being hungry in an airport. Or, I just bring my own food. Every now and again, though, I did get stuck and the choices were usually unhealthy, limited and not very tasty.
 Recently, I was delayed in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and I was happily surprised to find myself with several good options. I wondered why, all of a sudden. A few weeks later I became aware of a recent study by The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a Washington-based organization that promotes preventive health through better nutrition, which has found that airport dining is actually becoming healthier. They surveyed the 15 busiest airports in the country and found that meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber are easier to find in many terminals.
The study concluded that Denver International Airport had the most healthy options: Lefty’s Colorado Trails Bar and Grill’s portabella mushroom sandwich, for example, and the vegetable tacos at Que Bueno Mexican Grill. Next came the San Francisco International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport, which has 15 Starbucks franchises where one can now find a roasted vegetable panini.
The least healthy options, according to the study, were found at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. All three have little else but burger, pizza and hot dog joints.
Rankings were based on the percentage of restaurants at each airport that offer at least one entrée that is low in fat, high in fiber and cholesterol-free. Two-thirds of the airports scored higher than 50 percent in the latest study, compared with two out of five in 2002 when just ten airports were surveyed.
People are spending more and more time in airports as airlines require passengers to check in earlier. It makes sense that many airports are providing them with more health-conscious dining options. But until more airports get with the program, I’m going to continue planning ahead. I’ll either eat before I head out, or bring my own nutritious meal with me. I suggest you do the same.
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