What food do you pack for the plane?

[Minnesota!]

I know the obvious - goldfish, pretzels, etc. But my boys aren't going to get full from that. We will be eating at 530am or so on takeoff day, and we get to Orlando around 1230pm where we will grab something quick there. However, my kids EAT.

Are there some things that are filling, not too messy, and easy to bring on?

I am thinking PB sandwiches, but would hate to run the risk of packing them and then having a PB allergy on board.

Other ideas??

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I've taken little cups of PB for my kids to dip crackers in. I've never heard an announcement about not having peanuts on a plane. And, most airlines still serve peanuts so all of the passengers will have them. I wouldn't worry about not being able to have PB sandwiches. You could also pack cheese and crackers (the premade, packaged ones or the kind with spreadable cheese that don't need refrigeration).

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

There are tons of things you can pack. Since we left at 5am and were arriving at 6pm we had 2 meals to get through. I packed apples (the kind that are cut up and sealed). I also packedstring cheese along with crackers. For lunch I brought Subway sandwiches. Plain dry turkey. I packed little packets of mayo and mustard and put them in my liquids bag.

 

[brymolmom]

I love the cut up and sealed apples - think I'm going to steal that one and add it to my 'usuals'.

We always bring bagels - easy and filling. So we have a 'meal' on the plane - everyone gets a bagel, goldfish, string cheese and a 'sweet' of some sort like a small bag of M&M's or similar.

But definitely going to add those apples next time around.

We're heading out to DLR (Rochester to LA) in April so we'll have a MUCH LONGER flight(s) to worry about and will need more food.

Another idea is muffins - also easy. I agree about PB&J - could be hairy for everyone if there is a severe allergy - so I would stay away from that one.

 

[Hannathy]

I always bring PB&J for my DS. He is picky and it travels easily and if it doesn't get eaten I don't feel bad about throwing it out. Have never been on a flight and we fly a lot that was announced no peanuts. As far as that goes the PB&J would be no problem unless the person was sitting right next to you or your child was going around smearing their sandwich on people or kissing them because there is no peanut dust with ground peanut butter.

With the added security for a while I would be very cautious about taking any packets or little cups of anything even in your liquids bag. I would make the sandwiches or stick with solids.

 

[brymolmom]

I always bring PB&J for my DS. He is picky and it travels easily and if it doesn't get eaten I don't feel bad about throwing it out. Have never been on a flight and we fly a lot that was announced no peanuts. As far as that goes the PB&J would be no problem unless the person was sitting right next to you or your child was going around smearing their sandwich on people or kissing them because there is no peanut dust with ground peanut butter.

With the added security for a while I would be very cautious about taking any packets or little cups of anything even in your liquids bag. I would make the sandwiches or stick with solids.

Is that true? I always heard that some severe nut allergies are air sensitive and that PB&J could trigger that. Is this not the case?

 

[happymommy]

Is that true? I always heard that some severe nut allergies are air sensitive and that PB&J could trigger that. Is this not the case?

Yes and no. The peanut butter is probably safe, but the peanuts may release some dust into the air. We've flown many many times, and on one flight only the flight attendant did make an announcement that they were serving pretzels instead of peanuts (SWA) due to an allergy onboard.

Worst case scenario, you are seated next to someone who will have an issue. The FA's can move them or you, but I wouldn't think it is likely.

I would bring the sandwiches already made.

Also, Hickory Farms beef stick sausage is nice and filling - you could get a plastic knife from a food place in the airport prior to boarding for cutting it.

I've had poptarts also for my kids to snack on during travels.

My DS has severe food allergies (but he thankfully outgrew his peanut allergy when he was 5), so we always had to pack snacks for him. He can't have cheese, but string cheese is a good choice. It is fine for a few hours without refrigeration. You do want the kids to have some protein!

Really, even a plain lunchmeat sandwich should be okay if you keep it in a cooler until you get to the airport. Then, you could always have a little cooler and empty baggies and get ice after going through security.

 

[mom2meiko]

just a word regarding peanut allergies on board. i have been on a flight where they announced that there was a child with a severe airborn peanut allergy onboard. they therefore would not be selling any products with nuts in them and they asked all passengers to please refrain from opening any products with nuts in them as well for the safety of the child.

i know it can be terribly inconvenient to not be able to bring your child's favorite food (pb is my dd's #1 favorite thing!) but i always encourage people from even packing it when traveling on a plane. why put yourselves throug the frustration of not being able to eat what you brought and why bring something that could potential KILL another child/adult?

in my mind it's not worth the risk when something else can usually be figured out.

(and it may not matter how close you are sitting to the person w/ the allergy - in that kind of space it wouldn't take long to cause a problem if it was indeed an airborn allergy.)

not lecturing, just offering some info based on my own experiences and the view point of someone who does know several children with such severe allergies. (party planning can be a nightmare!)