Food for the road
01-24-2009, 04:42 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 426
Food for the road
So I'm getting really sick (literally) of airport/hotel/restaurant food and am wondering what you folks pack for your long trips to eat. Also I've seen a rash of pilots getting food poisoning recently from airport vendors.
I'm looking for something new and nutritional. I think if I have another can of tuna I'm going to have mercury poisoning. I carry a large overflow bag (which I get made fun of constantly) but I hate blowing money on the road.
What do you folks pack? How do those cooler bags work out? I need some fresh ideas. My assortment of bars, trail mixes, canned goods, and noodle bowls are getting old.
I'm looking for something new and nutritional. I think if I have another can of tuna I'm going to have mercury poisoning. I carry a large overflow bag (which I get made fun of constantly) but I hate blowing money on the road.
What do you folks pack? How do those cooler bags work out? I need some fresh ideas. My assortment of bars, trail mixes, canned goods, and noodle bowls are getting old.
01-24-2009, 05:03 PM
#2
APC co-founder
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Position: B777
Posts: 5,853
I bought a food saver vacuum sealer from Costco a few years ago and have been using it more an more for layover food.
My biggest problem is being hungry when all the local shops are closed (3am local). Dry food that won't spoil and is hard to crush is a good bet and that includes a lot. Also, I consider the nutrient density and for layover food. I don't mind a higher fat content because it tends to satiate my appetite a bit longer.
So ready to eat non-perishable, non-crushable, nutrient dense foods are my criteria. Wander the isles at Costco, you'll see 'em.
My biggest problem is being hungry when all the local shops are closed (3am local). Dry food that won't spoil and is hard to crush is a good bet and that includes a lot. Also, I consider the nutrient density and for layover food. I don't mind a higher fat content because it tends to satiate my appetite a bit longer.
So ready to eat non-perishable, non-crushable, nutrient dense foods are my criteria. Wander the isles at Costco, you'll see 'em.
01-24-2009, 05:04 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 999
OK, i've been thinking about starting this thread every time i open my lunchbox, but i never think to when im on the site. HERE GOES, my tips:
1) Pita bread for sandwiches. does not smush, stays fresh for at least a 5 day. Takes up little room.
2) I just tried those tuna and salmon steaks in the package...just heat them up. Pretty big disappointment.
3) MVP move. The captain i flew with two trips ago showed me this one. I used to bring sandwich meat from the deli, but its a pain to keep changing out my ice and by day 4 or 5 i am kinda worried about its freshness. However, i just tried this new trick out on the last trip and it's fantastic. For the price of a pound of turkey, you can go to the most supermarkets and get a small, already done, BBQ or roasted chicken. They are about 6 to 7 bucks and you get about a pound of meat off of them. unprocessed chicken. Its like Thanksgiving leftovers!
3) I agree, tuna gets old and i'm getting sick of it, but the Starkist Tuna Creations are pretty good, especially with a stack of wheat crackers.
4) Seen a bunch of people with those crystal light packets...i hate nutrasweet, but i found out that Gatorade makes similar packets. They are a lot bigger and only made for a regular sized water bottle, but theres enough to flavor an airline sized bottle effectively.
5) If you live in domicile, use your crew rooms fridge. frozen dinners or anything you dont wanna carry with you. too bad i got shipped out to dulles.
6) I always carry a stack of fig newtons because they are a good snack. good, filling, and they dont take up a lot of room
As far as bringing a cooler, I have the ebags cooler. i take the ziploc bags from the stack as i go through security and fill those with airplane ice. The ebags cooler will keep ice for about 24 hrs if you really stretch it (or forget). The thing that kinda weird about it is that unless your food is directly touching the ice, its not going to stay cold. You could put dry ice on one side of the bag, close the bag for a couple hours and any part of the bag not touching the ice would be just below room temperature. I dont get it.
however, what i like about it most. although i have to carrry a good amount of ice, the bottom is water tight and never leaks and being able to bring cold stuff opens up your options a ton. i have no problem packing for a 4 day with this bag (especially if the hotels serve breakfast)
1) Pita bread for sandwiches. does not smush, stays fresh for at least a 5 day. Takes up little room.
2) I just tried those tuna and salmon steaks in the package...just heat them up. Pretty big disappointment.
3) MVP move. The captain i flew with two trips ago showed me this one. I used to bring sandwich meat from the deli, but its a pain to keep changing out my ice and by day 4 or 5 i am kinda worried about its freshness. However, i just tried this new trick out on the last trip and it's fantastic. For the price of a pound of turkey, you can go to the most supermarkets and get a small, already done, BBQ or roasted chicken. They are about 6 to 7 bucks and you get about a pound of meat off of them. unprocessed chicken. Its like Thanksgiving leftovers!
3) I agree, tuna gets old and i'm getting sick of it, but the Starkist Tuna Creations are pretty good, especially with a stack of wheat crackers.
4) Seen a bunch of people with those crystal light packets...i hate nutrasweet, but i found out that Gatorade makes similar packets. They are a lot bigger and only made for a regular sized water bottle, but theres enough to flavor an airline sized bottle effectively.
5) If you live in domicile, use your crew rooms fridge. frozen dinners or anything you dont wanna carry with you. too bad i got shipped out to dulles.
6) I always carry a stack of fig newtons because they are a good snack. good, filling, and they dont take up a lot of room
As far as bringing a cooler, I have the ebags cooler. i take the ziploc bags from the stack as i go through security and fill those with airplane ice. The ebags cooler will keep ice for about 24 hrs if you really stretch it (or forget). The thing that kinda weird about it is that unless your food is directly touching the ice, its not going to stay cold. You could put dry ice on one side of the bag, close the bag for a couple hours and any part of the bag not touching the ice would be just below room temperature. I dont get it.
however, what i like about it most. although i have to carrry a good amount of ice, the bottom is water tight and never leaks and being able to bring cold stuff opens up your options a ton. i have no problem packing for a 4 day with this bag (especially if the hotels serve breakfast)
01-24-2009, 05:06 PM
#4
APC's Hired Help
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,231
01-24-2009, 05:08 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: AE ERJ FO
Posts: 224
I bought a food saver vacuum sealer from Costco a few years ago and have been using it more an more for layover food.
My biggest problem is being hungry when all the local shops are closed (3am local). Dry food that won't spoil and is hard to crush is a good bet and that includes a lot. Also, I consider the nutrient density and for layover food. I don't mind a higher fat content because it tends to satiate my appetite a bit longer.
So ready to eat non-perishable, non-crushable, nutrient dense foods are my criteria. Wander the isles at Costco, you'll see 'em.
My biggest problem is being hungry when all the local shops are closed (3am local). Dry food that won't spoil and is hard to crush is a good bet and that includes a lot. Also, I consider the nutrient density and for layover food. I don't mind a higher fat content because it tends to satiate my appetite a bit longer.
So ready to eat non-perishable, non-crushable, nutrient dense foods are my criteria. Wander the isles at Costco, you'll see 'em.
. I am a Dried Fig Freak
01-24-2009, 05:29 PM
#7
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Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Retired
Posts: 2,934
I have the PNT bag that's identical to the E-bags one. My goal is to avoid eating in the airport. I'll usually go out with the crew for dinner if we don't have a late night. The bag was about $40 and it paid for itself on the first trip. I was spending at least $90 on a four day. Now I might spend $50 if I eat an expensive meal.
In the bag, I pack some sort of lunch meat. Usually turkey and roast beef but I'll change it up from time to time. Some sort of cheese, usually cheddar. I'll also take a ziplock full of sliced red bell pepper and a bag of baby carrots. In addition I take some pineapple cups (because they're packed in water, not syrup) and snack packs. Bread doesn't pack well so I use tortillas. There are enough different types of cheese, meat and tortilla that I can change it up from time to time and it doesn't get too monotonous. The top of the bag is some sort wheat thin or triscuit type crackers to snack on.
I use two quart-sized ziplock freezer bags (with two seals) that I usually freeze solid before the trip. As they melt I'll throw ice in from the galley or hotel and make sure they're full every morning before leaving the hotel. I've never had a problem with the meat or cheese on a four day even in the middle of July and August. Never had a problem with the bags leaking either. Place the meat on the bottom of the stack, then ice then cheese and veggies. The packaged stuff doesn't need to be refrigerated so I don't worry about it as much. If it's really hot outside I'll nab a piece of dry ice out of the galley on a turn and I usually have frozen meat by the end of the turn.
I usually don't pack much fruit because so many hotels have it in the lobby or a grocery store within walking distance and it takes up a lot of space. I'll usually grab an apple or two per day where available. Also throw a couple of the microwavable soups in my overnight bag which are perfect for those late arrivals when the hotel restaurant is closed.
In the bag, I pack some sort of lunch meat. Usually turkey and roast beef but I'll change it up from time to time. Some sort of cheese, usually cheddar. I'll also take a ziplock full of sliced red bell pepper and a bag of baby carrots. In addition I take some pineapple cups (because they're packed in water, not syrup) and snack packs. Bread doesn't pack well so I use tortillas. There are enough different types of cheese, meat and tortilla that I can change it up from time to time and it doesn't get too monotonous. The top of the bag is some sort wheat thin or triscuit type crackers to snack on.
I use two quart-sized ziplock freezer bags (with two seals) that I usually freeze solid before the trip. As they melt I'll throw ice in from the galley or hotel and make sure they're full every morning before leaving the hotel. I've never had a problem with the meat or cheese on a four day even in the middle of July and August. Never had a problem with the bags leaking either. Place the meat on the bottom of the stack, then ice then cheese and veggies. The packaged stuff doesn't need to be refrigerated so I don't worry about it as much. If it's really hot outside I'll nab a piece of dry ice out of the galley on a turn and I usually have frozen meat by the end of the turn.
I usually don't pack much fruit because so many hotels have it in the lobby or a grocery store within walking distance and it takes up a lot of space. I'll usually grab an apple or two per day where available. Also throw a couple of the microwavable soups in my overnight bag which are perfect for those late arrivals when the hotel restaurant is closed.
01-24-2009, 07:43 PM
#8
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: WB Bunkie
Posts: 1,246
I avoid a lot of fruits and veggies mostly because they take up a lot of room without providing much in the way of calories. I look for calorie rich foods that are healthy.
1. Steel cut oats and raisins mix well with applesauce and none of them take up very much room. I bring two 8 oz tupperware containers, one with raisins and one with the oats. Each are about 150 calories per 1/4 cup. Then I bring a few apple sauce cups
2. Protein Bars. They come in all shapes, colors, costs and contents. I like the Clif Builders bars. No fructose/high fructose corn syrups, 20 grams protein and they're only around 1.30 at Trader Joe's.
3. Granola bars. Cheap, easy and filling
4. A small tub of almond or peanut butter. 200 calories per 2 tablespoons. Very filling and high calorie
5. Bagels in individual ziplock bags. Trader Joe's has some cheap stuff that will keep around a week and isn't super soft.
6. A 16 oz tupperware of protein powder. Mix it with a bottle of water or milk in the airport and you can get a lot of nutrition out of a few scoops of powder.
1. Steel cut oats and raisins mix well with applesauce and none of them take up very much room. I bring two 8 oz tupperware containers, one with raisins and one with the oats. Each are about 150 calories per 1/4 cup. Then I bring a few apple sauce cups
2. Protein Bars. They come in all shapes, colors, costs and contents. I like the Clif Builders bars. No fructose/high fructose corn syrups, 20 grams protein and they're only around 1.30 at Trader Joe's.
3. Granola bars. Cheap, easy and filling
4. A small tub of almond or peanut butter. 200 calories per 2 tablespoons. Very filling and high calorie
5. Bagels in individual ziplock bags. Trader Joe's has some cheap stuff that will keep around a week and isn't super soft.
6. A 16 oz tupperware of protein powder. Mix it with a bottle of water or milk in the airport and you can get a lot of nutrition out of a few scoops of powder.
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