Food for the Airplane Ride

[perkinsrose]

I know allergies and food issues. I am semi-vegetarian by choice. My son has seasonal allergies and asthma. I have fairly severe seasonal/environmental allergies. Fortunately, my food allergies are mild--certainly not life threatening when I ingest them ( soy, some fish) However, try avoiding soy--its in MANY processed foods as oil and so much of vegetarian/vegan options. While I don't have a peanut or treenut allergy, I'm empathetic to the needs/risks of those that do. While peanut butter & almonds and cashews are a fair part of my diet, I think twice about eating them in public places. Perhaps my background as a teacher affects my perspective.

I believe that most peanut allergies are NOT at risk for airborne particles and the risk for skin to skin contact reaction was very low for most... (I'm no expert). However, one school I taught in had a child with an anaphylactic reaction. The parents believed she was only at risk upon ingestion and were fine with her being around peanutbutter. When students were doing a project nearby with peanut butter (pinecone birdfeeders) she began to react.

Would I take almonds or peanuts onto a plane because its an easy, protein snack for my vegetarian family? No way. I'll gladly go without for one plane ride to prevent the small risk of sending a stranger for medical care. I'm really surprised the PPoster said they got peanuts on a plane recently. I thought they'd all gone to pretzels?

There are many theories on why so many peanut and other allergies today.
There was recently a study released on the treatment/"curing" with methods similar to allergy shots. I hope something works--it must be very scary for those parents of peanut-allg. kids.

 

[TracyMags]

I just want to thank you guys for this thread. I have not flown in years and this is new to my kids. They will probably need something to chew on during the flight.

I have a Q... I understand that you should bring a 6 oz drink per person. What is packaged in only 6 oz? It looks like most juice boxes are 6.6 oz.

Thanks

 

[PEIMother]

My brother (29) has severe peanut allergies. If a bottle of peanut butter is opened in the house, he must leave as he will have difficulty breathing. Every time he takes this reaction, it gets worse. For that very reason, when he is home on vacation, all the peanut butter in the house, and in all houses of my relatives, are off limits.

I agree it can be inconvenient at these times when we have to find something else to eat for those two weeks, but we'd rather do that then spend the time visiting him in the hospital.

I'm not sure anyone would want to be seated next to him on an airplane when they open up their bag of peanuts or pb&j sandwich and he passes out on them because he can't breathe. Just my opinion.

 

[brymolmom]

I always bring our food on the plane now - and bring it with us TO the airport (I hate spending $20 - $30 before we even take off to leave for vacation). For something different than sandwiches - I bring bagels for the family - they are easy, yummy and we don't have them very often (sometimes when buying them I also buy a few donut holes and suprise the kids with those too). Also some goldfish, string cheese and a 'treat' of some sort - like a small bag of M&M's. I bring small EMPTY water bottles with us and buy one larger bottle of lemonade for the kids after security - and then split it between them. I also ALWAYS buy a bottle of water to have on hand so ds can drink some on the way up or the way down if his ears are hurting from the pressure.

I always get one of the larger brown bags from Wegmans or Tim Horton's - wherever I get the bagels - and then put the other stuff in there and carry it separately from my carry-on bag. That way I don't have to smush it all in there. Don't forget to put lots of napkins in there too! They are always needed, I find.

 

[dana1003]

no juice boxes allowed..at least not going thru newark..i had to toss the 4 i had or i would have had to have my kids drink them all there ?? you are at mercy to the airport..i bought 4 juice boxes at the dollar tree by me for a dollar and was forced to pay almost 2$ for a juice box inside

 

[fussymonkey]

Seriously! I am supposed to avoid eating what I like in a public place since somebody MIGHT be allergic? Somebody who is not even in my travel party? Wouldnt this also be a problem for them then at the parks or restuarants as well?? I think that is a bit ridiculous. Sorry but that person's allergy is not my problem and I wouldnt expect anybody else to take special precautions for me expecially strangers not travelling with me. Lots of persons are allegic to something and I would have to live in a bubble to avoid carrying something that somebody is allegic too.

Seriously! Yes. Your convienance is not more important that someone else's life. I suspect was the other poster meant was that if you choose to bring nut-laden food on the aircraft, you run the risk of the flying with someone with extreme allergies and having the flight staff declare the flight 'nut free', at which point you would not be allowed to consume your nut product on the plane.

I'm fortunate in that my family does not have any allergies or special needs, but there are children in our daycare with severe peanut allergies, and we have to be extremely careful that peanut products don't enter those rooms. I suppose I could have an attitude about it and say "its my kids birthday and I'll bring whatever cupcakes I want", but I'm not a douche, so I bring cupcakes made at a nut-free bakery. Cause my "rights" don't supercede anyone's life. Families that deal with special needs, allergies or disabilities, have to deal with so much hassel and work to make the simple thing possible- I am not going to complicate that for them by insisting on my right to a pb&j. Jeez.

 

[brymolmom]

no juice boxes allowed..at least not going thru newark..i had to toss the 4 i had or i would have had to have my kids drink them all there ?? you are at mercy to the airport..i bought 4 juice boxes at the dollar tree by me for a dollar and was forced to pay almost 2$ for a juice box inside

Yes - definitely more expensive inside...but you would have saved the Dollar Tree price by not bringing them. Spread the word - liquids of any sort (except for toiletries 3oz and under in a quart sized ziplock bag) are not allowed through security. I am amazed at how many people look surprised when they get there and have to throw things out - it has been so many years and there is so much mention of it all over the place. At least yours was just items from the dollar store - I've seen people have to throw out $30 skin care products or perfume, etc.

 

[brymolmom]

I just want to thank you guys for this thread. I have not flown in years and this is new to my kids. They will probably need something to chew on during the flight.

I have a Q... I understand that you should bring a 6 oz drink per person. What is packaged in only 6 oz? It looks like most juice boxes are 6.6 oz.

Thanks

No - bad information. NO LIQUID DRINKS AT ALL will be allowed thru security at the airport (as a pp mentioned - you will have to throw them out). The ONLY liquids allowed are toiletries in 3 ounce containers and only those that can fit into ONE quart sized ziplock bag that you have to take out at the security checkpoint so they can see everything. You can buy as many drinks to take aboard the plane as you want (no oz limit) AFTER you go thru security.

If you child is an infant and needs formula - there are exceptions. Check the FAA website for specifics.

 

[Alesia]

Seriously! I am supposed to avoid eating what I like in a public place since somebody MIGHT be allergic? Somebody who is not even in my travel party? Wouldnt this also be a problem for them then at the parks or restuarants as well?? I think that is a bit ridiculous. Sorry but that person's allergy is not my problem and I wouldnt expect anybody else to take special precautions for me expecially strangers not travelling with me. Lots of persons are allegic to something and I would have to live in a bubble to avoid carrying something that somebody is allegic too.

Peanut allergies can be very different from other allergies.

Here is the thing that many people don't realize about peanut allergies: The allergen in peanuts is airborne. That means that someone with a very serious peanut allergy will die if you open a bag of peanuts on an airplane.

I know it seems crazy, but it's true. I'm sure that if you had a very severe peanut allergy, you would hope that strangers realize that your right to live is more important than their right to eat peanuts.

 

[3mickeymom]

That is what the group that sat in front of me on our last flight brought to eat. STINKY!!

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I would certainly avoid killing somebody if i knew they had a allergy but my point is that the poster is asking people not to eat peanuts AT ALL in the event there MIGHT be somebody who has allergies. My DS is in preschool and there is a child who has egg and nut allergies and I searched high and low and made certain that my snack for snack day did not have either so that child could enjoy snack day rather than having to eat a seperate snack. HOWEVER, I am not willing to give up peanuts on the off chance there MIGHT be somebody in the area with a allergy. I do, thanks to the nice responders, now understand that peanuts are airborne (how do they go to restaurants or the theme parks or main street bakery or anyplace enclosed with peanuts??)

I could go on and on about offensive things that are done on a daily basis regarding smells and smoking but that is not what the OP posted about so I am done.

 

[NotUrsula]

No - bad information. NO LIQUID DRINKS AT ALL will be allowed thru security at the airport (as a pp mentioned - you will have to throw them out). The ONLY liquids allowed are toiletries in 3 ounce containers and only those that can fit into ONE quart sized ziplock bag that you have to take out at the security checkpoint so they can see everything. You can buy as many drinks to take aboard the plane as you want (no oz limit) AFTER you go thru security.

If you child is an infant and needs formula - there are exceptions. Check the FAA website for specifics.

Um, that's a little inaccurate, too. The exceptions are not just for formula; there are others having to do special foods for persons with medical needs (severe allergies, etc., do count). Also, this rule has nothing to do with the FAA -- this is a TSA rule. (Not the same agency; the FAA rules only concern flammable liquids and have to do with mechanical safety and accident prevention, not questions of deliberate sabotage.)

The website that should be referenced is the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/311/311-carry-ons.shtm

 

[jana616]

"Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint."

This is what it says on the TSA website about traveling with infants and small children. My kids are going to be 26 months and 4 when we go. I "should" be able to bring a juice box for each of them, correct or no?

 

[PatricenPete]

Those of you that are bringing drinks - are you on flights that dont provide free beverages? I never understand why anyone brings drinks on an airplane....food? yes! Drinks? No. (With the exception of formula when DC's were babies)

To answer the OP's question.....we bring lots of snacks on board. I know my kids are too excited to actually eat a lunch so I usually bring things that I don't cringe at them eating as a meal...:lol I bring things like Cheez Its, small boxes of cereal, I brought cheese sticks for my daughter last trip....DH and I usually just grab McDonalds or something while we are in the airport. We bring snacks more to keep the kids occupied and not running up and down the aisles....LOL

 

[dana1003]

That is what the group that sat in front of me on our last flight brought to eat. STINKY!!

so funny.. i swear that sounds like something id order...ill make sure not to add the extra onions,,,

on the allergy thing...some people just dont know how terrible food allergies can be unless they are exposed to someone who has them.. my neighborn cannot even smell fish..it closes her throat and has been hospitilized for it..even if someone on a different floor is cooking fishand it comes thru the vent..it can kill her.... this is a good place to get educated..

 

[dana1003]

Those of you that are bringing drinks - are you on flights that dont provide free beverages? I never understand why anyone brings drinks on an airplane....food? yes! Drinks? No. (With the exception of formula when DC's were babies)

To answer the OP's question.....we bring lots of snacks on board. I know my kids are too excited to actually eat a lunch so I usually bring things that I don't cringe at them eating as a meal...:lol I bring things like Cheez Its, small boxes of cereal, I brought cheese sticks for my daughter last trip....DH and I usually just grab McDonalds or something while we are in the airport. We bring snacks more to keep the kids occupied and not running up and down the aisles....LOL

cant speak for anyone else but i know its neater drinking out of juiceboxes then with them drinking out of cups on the plane...my girls fidgit too much and too many drinks have been spilled

 

[bookgirl]

Those of you that are bringing drinks - are you on flights that dont provide free beverages? I never understand why anyone brings drinks on an airplane....food? yes! Drinks? No. (With the exception of formula when DC's were babies)

I drink a lot of water, but I refuse to drink water on airplanes unless it's bottled. So I bring my own water. I also do NOT drink pepsi so if I"m in a soda kind of mood I bring a coke.

 

[TracyMags]

I want to thank you for the information regarding the liquids you can take on a plane. Its been a long while since I have flown. Does anyone know if southwest serves drinks on the plane? Do we pay for those drinks?

TIA
Tracy

 

[taitai]

We always bring a HUGE bottle of water (or two) as well as loads of snacks. Often we get sandwiches before boarding and eat those on the plane. If there is one thing I have learned over these last 6 years of traveling extensively with children is that planes WILL be delayed. Airlines WILL run out of beverages or snacks to purchase. I am always prepared so if we are stuck on the ground for 3 hours due to a thunderstorm or circling non-stop we have food for our kids and drinks for them. Nothing will make them more miserable than being thirsty and hungry. A miserable kid on a plane is just no fun for anyone. ALWAYS bring lots of food and drink. ALWAYS. Extra diapers too but that is another thread......

 

[bookgirl]

I want to thank you for the information regarding the liquids you can take on a plane. Its been a long while since I have flown. Does anyone know if southwest serves drinks on the plane? Do we pay for those drinks?

TIA
Tracy

Yes SW has complimentary drinks and peanuts (I always ask for the pretzels and if they have them they will switch). You do have to pay for wine or liquor..last trip I was on I believe they only took credit cards to pay for drinks (no need to make change). They serve coke products.