indian food for travelling in plane

Best Ideas of Indian Food for Travel

Being Indian is all about travelling to explore the world, experience and fun with friends and family. With all this, we generally get concerned on the what dishes to cook while travelling, what food to take along on long distance while doing bus or train travel, what easy recipes can be prepared for such journey much more. Here we bring you the suggestion on such food you can carry while travelling with easy to cook food recipes.

Key to preparing food which can last for long hours in car / train / plane journey is to remove the moisture / water content from the vegetables or ingredients. It is important all the ingredients are deep fried and crispy.

Indian Food for Car Travel Time of 6-8 Hours:

If the temperature outside is below 35 degrees or less, then you can choose any of the below to taken along with you on the journey:

• Masala Aloo Sandwich
• Grilled Paneer Sandwich
• Bread Rolls
• Garlic Bread
• Aloo Palak Pakora
• Bread Pakora
• Vegetable Pulao with pickle
• Sweet Corn Pulao
• Puri – Aloo : This is one of the best liked and relished travel food of all time. You can pack some mango pickle or tomato thokku along.
• Curd Rice with tomato thokku.
• Tamarind Rice
• Lemon Rice with peanut chutney

Sukhe Kale Chane

Indian food for bus or train travel time of 12-18 hours:.

• Stuffed Bhindi with Besan – Paratha / Roti / Poori : The stuffed bhindi can be rolled inside the roti. Just perfect when your are driving in the car .
• Methi Paratha with 10 Minute Sukhe Chole . You can also pack Jeera Aloo with the methi paratha.
• Urad Dal Ki Hing Puri with Sukha Aloo along with some pickle
• Stuffed Karela with paratha / roti.
• Bhindi Fry Without Onion with roti / poori.
• Masala Puri with tariyal aloo . These aloo are fried. Fried aloo stays well for over a day. You can pack along some pickle too.
• Methi Thepla with Pickle
• Puri with Crispy Karela Fry
• Sukhe Kale Chane with Plain Paratha

Indian Dry Snacks for Bus/ Car/ Train Travel

• Kurkure Murmure
• Chakli 
• Dry Kachoris
• Banana Chips
• Punjabi Mathri

You can also pack some ready made bhujia, aloo wafers, biscuits, cookies and tea cakes.

Easy Indian Sweets which can be carried in Bus/ Car/ Train Travel :

• Churma Laddoo
• Mithi Bread
• Besan Ladoo

• Food & Drinks

12 Yummy Yet Healthy Indian Snacks To Pack For Your Trip

Packing snacks for a trip is a ritual followed by most travellers. Here are some healthy Indian snacks that can serve as a source of energy and nutrition.

Some travellers carry food for their trip or journey—either as a wholesome meal or snacks to munch on at intervals. While it isn’t advisable to carry multiple boxes of food for your journey, you can always carry snacks that are light on the luggage as well as your waistline. There is a large variety of snacks that you can carry—from chips and biscuits to homemade brownies or health bars. It’s usually always a better idea to go for the healthier option by making healthy snacks for kids and yourself. India is a diverse country when it comes to culture, traditions, and cuisine and there are a lot of healthy Indian snacks to choose from for your travels.

2 ‘Bimaro Wala Khana’, Khichdi

This is simply a one-pot rice and lentil dish and is made in a wide variety of ways in different parts of the country. An iconic Indian dish, it is known as huggi in Karnataka, Pongal in Tamil Nadu, and khichdi in many parts of north India. Khichdi is one of the most ancient foods in India and once cooked, can be paired with anything from yogurt to spicy pickles. Khichdi is known as ‘ Bimaro Wala Khana ’ (food for the sick in Hindi) as it is easily digestible and nutrition-rich, making it one of the many healthy Indian snacks. It is the perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein. According to Ayurveda, Khichdi is used for detoxifying and cleansing the body. It is the perfect snack as it is easy to make, healthy, filling, easy to pack, and tasty either hot or cold. However, it is best consumed within at least 12 hours of preparation. Fun fact : 

Khichdi is one of the first solid foods that is fed to babies in many parts of India as it features in the list of healthy snacks for kids.

Mughal emperor Jehangir favoured lazizan , a very rich Gujarati khichdi in his days of abstinence, according to ‘A Historical Dictionary of Indian Foods’ written by historian KT Achaya.

3 Cholesterol-Buster, Thepla

This is a Gujarati breakfast flatbread ( roti ) made primarily of methi (fenugreek), wheat flour, yoghurt, gram flour, ghee, and water. Theplas are made in a similar way chapatis are made, where the dough is rolled into a ball and then flattened into a circular shape and fried. Theplas are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and iron and are known for lowering cholesterol. According to NDTV Food, one of the University of Michigan Health System’s studies states that the steroidal saponins found in fenugreek seeds seem to slow the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Theplas are also said to be able to control diabetes, lower blood sugar levels, and aid digestion. One of the many healthy Indian snacks around, theplas are travel-friendly as they are easy to carry and eat. They are also easy to make as all the ingredients are found in almost all households, but you will need to give yoghurt a miss if you’re making theplas for travel, as it reduces its ‘shelf-life’.

• The more oil you use while cooking the thepla , the longer its shelf life.

5 The Most Versatile Indian Snack, Khakhra

The khakhra is a circular crisp roti -like food item from Gujarat that is commonly eaten as a snack. The primary ingredient in these healthy Indian snacks is wheat flour. Others are gram flour, milk, and oil, but you can add various spices to customise it. Much like rotis , khakhras are roasted in a heated pan, although here, pressure is applied till they become crisp. Khakhras are considered to be healthy snacks in India as they are made of whole wheat. They are rich in carbohydrates and proteins and also contain dietary fibres which help with weight reduction, digestion, and maintaining blood sugar levels. Khakhras are not only easy to pack, but can also be eaten with anything from tea to jam, sabzi (cooked vegetable dish) or plain.

• Khakhras are said to have been invented by Jains many years ago. As they are not allowed to eat stale food, they started dry roasting leftover rotis to take out the remaining moisture so they don’t spoil and food is not wasted.

6 The Snack That Made Chitale Bandhu Famous, Bhakarwadi

A disk of dough stuffed with dried coconut, poppy, cumin, sesame seeds, dried mango, and chilli, bhakarwadis are a popular Indian snack that originated from Gujarat, although it is quite popular in Maharashtra too. These bite-sized mini rolls are a perfect mix of crunchy, sweet, and spicy, and are best enjoyed with a cup of tea.

The original version of bhakarwadis does not make it into the list of healthy Indian snacks, but there are variations that are low-fat and fibre-rich. Baked versions of these are stuffed with flax seeds, grains, pulses, soybeans, methi, or dry fruits. They are dry and therefore easy to pack and carry and are available at all farsan (a collective name for multiple varieties of Gujarati and Maharashtrian snacks) shops.

Fun facts : 

• It is believed that the grandfather of the current owner of Jagdish Farsan, a famous farsan store in Vadodara, invented the snack.
• It was introduced in Maharashtra in the 1970s.
• It made Chitale Bandhu, a shop in Pune, very famous for its wares.

7 South India’s Go-To Snack, Lemon Rice

A tangy yellow dish made from basmati rice mixed with other ingredients like peanuts, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and lemon juice— these are the ingredients in the healthy snacks recipe for lemon rice. It originated in south India, and can also be made with leftover rice, making it an easy and convenient breakfast or snack dish. It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes to prepare, depending on whether you are using pre-cooked rice. The dish can also be made gluten-free by skipping the hing (asafoetida). Lemon rice is very nutritious as it contains carbohydrates, proteins, fats, potassium, fibre, vitamins A, C, and E, calcium, iron, thiamin, niacin, phosphorus, and more. Lemon rice, also known as Chitranna in Kannada, can be eaten with yoghurt or spicy pickle, or plain. It also counts as a healthy snack for kids as it can be packed in a tiffin box easily. However, it needs to be consumed within a day of it being made.

• Its distinctive yellow colour comes from turmeric, also a strong anti-inflammatory.

8 A Health-Buff’s Best Friend, Dalia

Dalia is made of broken wheat, cooked in different ways, according to personal preferences. It is consumed mainly in the Indian sub-continent and features high as a favourite on the list of healthy Indian snacks. You can cook it with spices to make it savoury or sweet by adding coconut and jaggery. This dish is a super-food and a great source of protein, making it a big hit among fitness buffs. Dalia is rich in fibre, helpful for weight loss, a good source of minerals, helpful in suppressing hunger pangs, low in fat, and great for diabetics and children. While it makes for great healthy snacks for the evening or even for breakfast and dinner, dalia needs to be consumed within a day of it being made.

• It is healthier than wheat flour as it contains wheat husk too, which is rich in fibre.

10 The Indian Version Of Nougat, Chikki

Chikkis is a crunchy and sweet snack made of jaggery and a variety of different nuts and seeds, primarily roasted peanuts. These sweet treats are generally flat and readily available in most stores across India. It is said that chikkis were invented by a man named Maganlal, the country’s largest and oldest chikki maker. Chikkis are considered healthy Indian snacks as the main ingredient is jaggery, a solid or semi-solid natural sweetener, usually a concentrate of sugarcane juice. Jaggery contains protein, minerals, and vitamins and is also a great source of iron and copper. Chikkis makes for a great travel snack as they last long (days and even weeks) and are easy to pack and carry.

• Chikkis is considered the Indian (and vegan) version of nougat, a confection made of whipped egg whites, sugar, or honey with nuts and/or fruits. 

11 The Best Snack For Your Gut, Poha

Like most Indian foods, poha has many variants in different parts of the country and is a preferred breakfast item in many households. The dish has its origins in the Maharashtra-Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh region. Poha is made with cooked rice that is flattened and dried resembling flakes of varying thickness. You can make poha sweet or spicy (with peanuts, curry leaves, and onions), depending on your taste. As poha can be cooked with a variety of vegetables, it is considered healthy, nutritious, and filling. It is a great source of carbohydrates and iron, low in calories, and easily digestible. Poha , also known as beaten rice, is easy and quick to make and serves as a delicious healthy snack while travelling.

• Poha is a good probiotic as it undergoes fermentation during its preparation, retaining its microbial flora—great for gut health.

12 The Snack That Comes In Its Own Biodegradable Wrapper, Patholi

This is a snack made with a little extra effort. Patholi (which means steamed dumpling or pudding in Konkani), originates from the Konkan belt (parts of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka), and is made primarily of grated coconut and jaggery stuffed into rice dough and turmeric leaves. The ingredients are mixed and lightly fried till they turn golden brown. While this dish is primarily prepared during the Nagarapanchami/Nag Panchami festival and the monsoons, it is also prepared as a tasty snack for family gatherings and other special occasions.

Patholis are considered healthy Indian snacks because they are cooked in turmeric leaves which have a host of health benefits. Turmeric leaves are said to boost digestion and reduce gas and bloating. These also make for great travel snacks as they come in their own packaging (the turmeric leaves), are easy to pack, and can be eaten hot or cold. They can also be stored for a maximum of two to three days (preferably consumed within two days) in a cool environment.

• Patholi is made primarily during the rainy season because it’s when turmeric leaves are abundantly available.

13 The Ancient Medicinal Snack, Til Ke Laddus

Til (sesame) laddus are one of the simplest healthy Indian snacks and brimming with health benefits. Commonly known as Maharashtrian til che laddus (as they are originally traditional sweet from Maharashtra), they are round, sweet, bite-sized snacks made with sesame seeds ( til ), peanuts, ghee, cardamom ( elaichi ), and jaggery. It is believed that til ke laddus were used in the 4th century BCE by Susruta, the father of Indian surgery and medicine as an antiseptic for his patients. While these can be eaten at any time during the year, they are primarily consumed in winter to generate heat and energy in the body. Til ke laddus are also known for increasing hair growth, having anti-ageing properties, boosting the health of your skin and teeth, and aiding digestion. They are a great source of energy. Til ke laddus also serve as great travel snacks as they are easy to pack, readily available at most general stores, and can be stored for days.

Fun facts :

• You don’t need a lot of ghee to prepare these snacks as the crushed peanuts and jaggery provide enough stickiness.

14 South Kanara’s Low-Calorie Snack, Mutlim/Mutlin

This is another of the many healthy Indian snacks originating from the South Kanara (Dakshina Kannada) district of Karnataka. It’s a dimpled, circular, steamed snack made of a mixture of rice and grated coconut. Mutlims , also known as pundis , can also be made with rava or semolina. These are great breakfast dishes, as well as filling and healthy snacks in the evening. Mutlims can be accompanied by a spicy gravy, chutney, or just eaten on their own.

These also serve as healthy snacks for kids, and older generations, as they are easily digested and contain carbohydrates. They are also useful for those looking to maintain their weight, as it is pretty low on calories. Mutlims are also suitable as a travel snack as they can be eaten either hot or cold and can be easily packed. They can last for about a day or two when stored in airtight containers.

• You can stuff mutlims with a mixture of coconut and jaggery (a south Kanara variation) to make a sweeter variant of this snack known as god (sweet) mutlim .

15 The Savoury Cake, Dhokla

Originally from Gujarat, dhoklas are healthy Indian snacks that are most often consumed in the evening. These light and fluffy cube-shaped snacks are made from a fermented batter of gram flour ( besan ) and mild spices and can be had at any time during the day. Since dhoklas are steamed, it is preferred by those counting calories, and as it is fermented, it is easier to digest and improves gut health. This fluffy savoury cake is also packed with proteins. It has a low glycemic index which makes it good for diabetics. They are easy to pack and carry for travel.

• The snack is versatile, so instead of gram flour, you can also use rice flour, chana dal or semolina. The dhokla that is made with gram flour is known as khaman dhokla and the one made with rice flour is known as rice dhokla .

Snack Often But Not Too Often To Stay Healthy

Snacking is an important aspect of a daily diet, as it can boost your energy in the middle of the day or when you exercise. Healthy snacks between meals can help decrease hunger and prevent overeating during regular meals. Snacking is especially important during travel, as it will help you stay alert and energised. Going for something healthy that won’t spoil fast is a bonus as you do not want to risk your health mid-travel. And although snacking is inevitable, you must remember to keep the snacks healthy in order to stay fit.

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The days of being confused about what to cook every single day are gone! These easy recipes will have you cooking mouth-watering, lip-smacking food that you and your loved ones will not only enjoy and savor but will definitely want more of!

Forget chicken or pasta. Order the Hindu meal on a flight.

Fragrant dal makhani is so much better than fettuccine alfredo

Welcome to The Upgrade, By The Way’s series on travel hacks and hot takes. See how to submit here.

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, an Iberia flight attendant hovered over me holding a tray of food. He looked at me — a middle-aged White man — then at the aluminum-foil-wrapped food he was holding, then at me again: “Uh, did you order the, um … Hindu meal?”

It was no mistake. As a frequent traveler, I’ve grown tired of the typical gruel they feed us on long-haul flights. Airlines’ philosophy of free meals is to offend as few palates as possible. So, will that be the chicken or the pasta? I will no longer accept either.

Scientific studies have shown that a combination of changes in cabin air pressure and a reduction of humidity while 35,000 feet in the air reduces our palate’s sensitivity to sweet and salty flavors by about 30 percent. Even loud background noise, such as the humming of a jet’s engine, dulls our taste buds . Meanwhile, spicy flavors are almost unaffected by the change in air pressure, humidity and noise.

The airplane food is good. No, really.

So, a handful of flights ago, I started experimenting by taking advantage of the special meals that airlines offer. I began by eliminating options: Low-sodium and diabetic were out. Vegan and vegetarian sounded suspiciously dull in terms of rousing my anesthetized in-flight palate. Kosher was tempting, but I feared being left to subsist on hummus and carrots.

Instead, I zeroed in on anything that exuded spice. One day a few years ago, I opted for the Hindu meal on a United flight from Rome to JFK. I unpeeled the foil cover and unleashed a wall of aromas, butter and cardamom wafting up to my face. The dish, dal makhani, is a northern Indian staple. I grabbed a fork and dug into the lentils and rice, taking intermittent bites of naan.

On another flight, this time on British Airways from New York to London, I got bhindi masala, stir-fried okra stuffed with spices such as garam masala and black pepper. It was served with silver-dollar-size chapati, an unleavened Indian flatbread, and cucumbers in a spicy yogurt sauce. I took a bite of the stewed okra and my tongue began to tingle.

Before you accuse me of taking a meal away from someone who needs it for health or religious reasons, I contacted the media relations department at a few airlines. They all echoed what Grant Myatt of Delta Air Lines told me: “There is no limit to how many special meals we can load on a flight, provided that the customer has informed Delta at least 24 hours in advance of their flight.”

And why not? For decades, airlines have been making flights less and less comfortable in economy class. Remember when we were given free meals on domestic flights? Or when airline loyalty programs were based on the amount of miles we flew, not on how much we spent? Or life before “basic economy,” a program that makes passengers so irritated and uncomfortable we are impelled to fork over more money to “upgrade” ourselves to slightly more legroom and the allowance of a carry-on bag?

The Golden Age of airplane food is over. The future: Snacks and sustainability.

Preordering a special meal on long-haul flights is one way enliven what has become a dismal experience.

So, on my recent Iberia flight from New York to Madrid, I happily indulged in tender chicken curry with rice and a lentil stew — a delicious and slightly spicy reminder that there are still ways to enjoy long-haul flights in economy.

The same old chicken or fish? No thanks. I’m holding off for lentil beans with a slight kick, curry-accented chicken or whatever Indian-flavored meal lands in my lap on my next flight.

David Farley is a food and travel writer based in New York. Follow him on X @davidfarley and Instagram @davidfarley7 .

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Our favorite destinations: Take our destination quiz to choose your own adventure. Then read about 12 dream destinations at the top of our wish list — without the crowds.

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: Explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Trace a route along the southern coast of Puerto Rico . See how jamón gets made in the heartland of Spanish pork .

Top 10 Indian Food To Carry While Traveling Abroad

Many people travel for work or pleasure these days to different parts of the world. As much as one might like the idea of seeing new places and experiencing new lives and lifestyles, it is very likely the food in different parts of the world may not suit your palate. Therefore, as the cliche goes – ‘better be safe than sorry’ – so, many people plan on some staple Indian food to carry while traveling abroad . Precisely, when they travel anywhere.

There are many practical reasons why you should carry some amount of food as you travel, they could be useful if you suddenly face a calamity, a delay in reaching your destination, have a sudden sugar dip, are stranded due to unexpected circumstances, and others. However, when it comes to traveling outside the country , not only does the food you carry help you weather the new food options, but it also gives you a sense of home when you look at things you are familiar with.

First things first, before you start packing there are some things you must understand what food items to carry while traveling aboard and why:

Table of Contents

1. Your eating habits

Typically your eating habits will determine how much support you will need in terms of the food you carry. For instance, if you are someone who is a hardcore vegetarian , or vegan, you might find it more difficult to find food outside of India. Especially food which suits the typical Indian palette may be hard to find.

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2. Duration of the trip

Depending on how long your trip is will determine the kind of things you have to carry and how much of it you will need to carry. For instance, if it is a week or a month’s trip, there might be some value in carrying enough for that duration. However, if you are going to travel for a year or more, you might be better served to carry a sustainable amount and have stuff sent to you from time to time.

3. The location you are traveling to

4. your travel budget.

Budget is always a consideration. It is always important to remember Indian food typically is more expensive than the local food. A good equivalent could be how Italian cuisine maybe is more expensive than Indian local cuisine in India. If you have the money, you can eat out. If you do not, you are better served to carry lots of back up.

5. Your tolerance to new cuisine

If you are a picky eater, then chances are your luggage is bound to get heavier. For instance, if you are a vegetarian, but do not mind settling for soups, bread, salads and so on for a meal, then you might not need to carry too much. However, if you like your food only a certain way, then food would need to occupy a bigger space in your luggage.

6. Access to a kitchen

What you carry will depend on your access to a kitchen. If you have access to a kitchen, there is value in carrying things that you can cook as basics and carrying accompaniments to what you cook. However, if you don’t have access to a kitchen, then carrying accompaniments will only add to the weight.

7. Your cooking skills

As much as you have the tools, it’s important to have the talent as well. Can you cook basic things like boiling rice, heating water, etc will also determine what you will carry and if you should carry a few things?

Now, this said, once all the above have been determined or answered here is a list of food to carry while traveling that can be a good option to carry along with you as you embark on the adventure:

Best Indian food to carry while traveling abroad:

Khakhra commonly considered a snack amongst Rajasthanis and Gujaratis is a great travel companion. They have a cracker-like consistency and are made of wheat like roti and then toasted on a special machine. Additionally, it comes in different flavors (such as plain, jeera, methi, masala and more) and is easy to carry without the risk of spilling over or soiling the other items in your luggage. It comes with a long shelf life of sometimes even a year.

Thepla is softer and made typically of multi-grains. Though it looks very much like a roti or a paratha, it is mixed using milk or curd. This helps the thepla survive for longer. It is popular and hails from the same region as the Khakhra and is also available in multiple flavors (such as masala, methi and curd paratha). When packed properly this too is easy to transport.

Mathri, also known as, mathi hails primarily from Rajasthan. It is a snack that can easily be interpreted as a biscuit that is flaky and originated in the Indian subcontinent. This Indian biscuit is ready to eat and convenient to carry. The most fuss you may need to do with it is to pair it with some form of pickle to enhance the taste or just have it with your favorite flavor of the tea.

It is very unlikely that anyone who has grown up in an average household in India has not heard of Maggi. These packets of instant noodles, in less than 5 minutes, with just a bowl and a mug of hot water can take you right back home to India. This is no matter where you are traveling or what the circumstance is.

5. Specific spices

If you are traveling to a new city abroad, it might take you a little while before you figure out what you get where. You might have to look, ask around, explore before you find the store that provides everything you need. But before you get to that point, it might be a good idea to carry some basic spices you commonly use, especially if you intend to cook.

Pickles, though made differently in different parts of India, are a staple in every meal. Carrying your favorite pickles can be a great comforter. You can use it as an accompaniment to the khakhras, theplas and other snacks. Alternately, just cook some plain rice and mix it with the pickle and get some yogurt or curd, and you are set for the meal. However, since this comes with oil and has the risk of spilling over, ensure that the packing for it is foolproof and effective.

There are many snacks in different parts of the country that again are great companions as short eats. Some snacks to carry while travelling includes Murukku, Ribbon Pakoda, Mixture, Chiwda, and more. As long as they are not very oily or watery, all kinds of snacks that work for you can be carried and enjoyed in a faraway land.

8. Dry Sweets

If you have a sweet tooth, dry sweets are certainly something you can consider carrying. There are a host of sweets that you can carry while you travel abroad. Sweets like different forms of ladoos, Kaju Katli, Burfi and so on are some ideas. It is recommended you avoid sweets like rasgulla, rasmalai, Gulab jamoon and so on only because they run the risk of leaking. But remember sweets tend to have a shorter shelf life.

9. Dry Fruits

There could hardly be a healthier option when it comes to snacking. They make for a healthy snack to carry while traveling. Carry some dry fruits, so no matter how much sweet and snacks you might eat, dry fruits are always a healthier option. Carry enough dry fruits such as almonds, walnuts, pista, cashews, raisins, and so on, to ensure you have this healthier option till you settle down and find them or find local alternatives in the new land.

10. Powder Mixes

Many cooked powders can be mixed with cooked rice and make for a delicious meal. Particularly in the south of the Vindhyas, there are many options of powders available and some of them are very similar and called different names. Some of the options include puliogare bath, Kandhi podi, gun powder, bisibele bhath, milagai podi, vangi bhath powder, and so on. Many options are cooked uniquely in different households and these days are also available over the counter. This simple yet scrumptious South Indian food to carry while travelling abroad when packed well.

As much as this may not be considered food, it may be important to get a basic first aid kit including the common medicines that you are used to. If, god forbid, you fall sick you may need to activate your insurance and see a doctor, however, some fall back medicines that you are used to will not hurt.

Everything said and done, traveling abroad is an adventure in itself. However, it is also true that you are what you eat. If you can get access to a piece of home to give you the comfort you need when you feel vulnerable in a new and unknown place, you will not regret it. However far you travel, no matter what new things you see, despite the experiences you have, irrespective of the adventures you embark on, sometimes getting back to the familiar can make all the difference. Sometimes, just in those times, when you miss home; the food you carry can bring you back briefly to a life you knew and give you the comfort you need to put your head down and carry on.

FAQs – Indian Food To Carry While Traveling Abroad

What is the easiest meal to carry while travelling in India? If you are looking for healthy food options, you can carry dry fruits, fruits and fresh cut veggies to load up on nutrients. If you would like to relish some tasty food, you can pack snacks like khakra which will stay longer if you store well in an airtight container. If you’re travelling to hill stations or snowy destinations, you can carry maggi packets that will be helpful in fighting the cold weather.

Which Indian vegetarian food is suitable for travelling? Anyday, vegetarian food is better while travelling, out which if you’re looking for North Indian food options, you can opt for Chapatis and Sabzi while Idly and Sambhar will be good for your stomach.

Can I carry non-vegetarian food while travelling? You can try dry meat if you would definitely prefer non vegetarian food but it is not much recommended by doctors because food that has been tainted, improperly cooked meat, and raw seafood can all spread bacteria. Doctors believe it is better to bring vegetarian food on trip in light of these concerns.

What are some ideas for Indian food items suitable for travel? You can try some healthy paratha options with very much less ghee along with some achar or idlies and sambar that will be easy on your stomach while travelling.

Which food will you prefer to carry while travelling? I have been travelling across several states across India and I prefer carrying food depending on the geographical location and climatic conditions. Easy-to-digest food and easy-to-make food will be my go to choices while travelling.

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Gulshan Bafna

Gulshan Bafna is one of the luxury travelers in India. He, along with his wife, has traveled to many exotic places that one could dream. With their travel journey, they bring us the best face of those places. He compiles all of his travel journeys to give the taste of traveling to his readers. In his writing, he jots down the best things to do in all those places that he has visited. Reading these would help one know better about the place. He is also a seeker who loves exploring and discovering new places and share his experiences with everyone.

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Indian Travel Food Dry Snacks recipes

Indian travel food dry snacks recipes | 90 dry snack ideas for road trips | Indian vegetarian snacks to pack for trip |  

Indian travel food dry snacks recipes | dry snack travel ideas for road trips | Indian vegetarian snacks to pack for trip |  While flying or travelling anywhere for a vacation or a one day picnic, or going on a road trip we have grew up watching our mother’s always carrying something to binge on. There is a list of food that you can carry with you while travelling and one of category of food is Dry snacks. Dry snacks like Kolhapuri bhadang  are for small hunger pangs!!

Home-made dry snacks are any day better, healthy and nourishing than the packet food we buy for the vendors. Only thing that need to be taken into consideration while preparing these snacks is to keep in mind the shelf life of the snack.

The best kinds of snacks are the ones that you can just throw in your bag and not worry about keeping cold in the refrigerator or heating them in the microwave.

When I was a kid, I remember my mother and grandmother would start making dry snacks 2-3 days prior to the day of travelling, even when I would go to the hostel they would give me Jar full of dry snacks with a long shelf life so that I could manage while travelling to college and also while i would crave for home made food in the hostel.

Further we have segregated the Travel dry snacks into categories :

Fried Indian dry snacks for travel 

There are few travel snacks that are made with the process of deep frying. The most popular Dry travel snack are Shakarpara and Whole wheat flour chakli , whenever we would plan going out for a one day picnic or when I would leave for hostel, chakli and shakarpara were my favourite snack to carry.

Wheat flour chakli  has a very different flavour and mouth-feel, equally tasty but slightly softer than the normal rice flour chakli. It is amazing and totally mind-boggling how changing just one ingredient in a recipe can give you something awesomely different! Well, in aate ki chakli we have replaced rice flour with whole wheat flour, tweaked the proportions of the other ingredients slightly, and tried making chakli with the steamed dough.

Mini bhakarwadi  is a famous tea time snack – crispier and peppier like we all enjoy. Easy simple Indian snack bhakarwadi is one of the most famous of  Maharashtrian  snacks which is seen being sold on every corner in the city of Pune. It is a dry snack, which has an interesting spiral shape with alternate layers of masala and dough.

In this recipe, we have shown you how to make Maharashtrian bhakarwadi, which is in a handy size that is easy to pop into your mouth. Relish it with a cup of hot  Elaichi Tea .

Chorafali  also called as Chola dal fritters are irresistible deep-fried fritters can be made in bulk and stored in jars. So, they come in really handy when a hunger pang strikes and you feel like munching on something!

Traditionally this Indian Diwali snack is made with chola dal flour. But since chola dal flour isn’t very easily available at most grocery stores, we have shown its modified version using besan and urad dal flour. You can make urad dal flour at home or buy it readymade.

Nimki recipe  | Bengali jar snack | crispy Bangla nimki | namak pare tea time snack is a fried Indian snack made with maida as the main ingredient. Nimki is an all-time favourite Bengali jar snack, which has a very appetizing flavour and extremely interesting mouth-feel! Surprisingly, this snack requires only a few ingredients. Made of a plain flour dough flavoured elegantly with cumin and nigella seeds, the Nimki gets its unique texture from the way it is rolled and cut.

My grandmother would make methi debras which is a Gujarati deep fried recipe which has a long shelf life.

Baked Indian dry snacks for travel

Most Indian households use  deep fried sev  for  sabzi ,  chaat  and  snacks . We now show you how to make  baked sev  with step by step photos.  See why we call this healthy baked sev recipe? Made mainly from besan and the recipe is not deep fried but baked.  Besan  has more good fat than whole wheat flour and also  higher protein  content. Rich in  complex carbohydrates  and with a  low glycemic index , besan is good for  diabetics  too.

sev recipes | besan sev | homemade sev | besan sev for chaats | sev for diwali Use baked sev as a topping for  Bhel Puri ,  Low Calorie Sev Puri  and  sev tamatar nu shaak .

Low Calorie Sev Puri

Baked palak methi puri recipe is for weight watching and a healthy low fat jar snack that you can binge on without being guilty. Traditionally puris are deep fried and made with maida but the switching of ingredients by using healthy flours in the baked palak methi puri has made it super healthy. Healthy palak methi puris are my favorite munchies and is also an hit amongst  weight-watchers !

Baked tortilla chips recipe  | oven baked nacho chips | healthy tortilla chips | how to make homemade baked tortilla chips is a non-fried version of famous nacho chips for all health conscious.

Quick and easy-to-make nacho chips is a popular choice in Mexico. The homemade baked tortilla chips are baked and made with minimal oil from a blend of more whole wheat flour than maize flour instead of the traditional  Mexican  tortillas made with maize flour and refined flour which are also deep fried.

Baked chakli  is quick and easy to make. We have made chakli healthier by baking it rather than frying it. This simple and delicious low fat chakli is a real treat for weight watchers. Chakli, the popular indian snack, is usually deep-fried and contains loads of calories. Here's how to make baked rice flour chakli with 1 tsp of oil to near perfection by baking them in an oven. Munch them at anytime of the day when hunger strikes.

Roasted Indian dry snacks for travel

Chivda’s are one of the roasted dry snacks. The ingredients are roasted or sauteed together and this is how it is made. Poha chivda is one of the most famous roasted dry snack. Whenever I would go to my aunts place for vacation, she would make it for me and it would really help while travelling.

Jada poha chivda recipe  | fried poha chivda | chivda namkeen snack | Indian thick poha chivda is a delicious Indian jar snack. Fried poha chivda is the homemade version of an all-time favourite  Maharashtrian  jar snack –  poha chivda . With a mix of sweet, salty and nutty flavours, and a wondrous blend of textures, this chivda is sure to appeal to young and old alike.

jada poha chivda recipe | fried poha chivda | chivda namkeen snack | Indian thick poha chivda |

When hunger strikes suddenly, this  oats poha chivda  is sure to answer your appetite in a tasty and crunchy way. poha oats chivda is made of roasted oats, poha, peanuts and chana dal with a sprinkling of spice powders for a dash of excitement.

This tiffin and travel snack oats chivda is ideal to store in an air-tight container and munch on when you are hungry, or to even send to school in the  tiffin box  on a rushed day when you do not have much time on your hands to prepare elaborate treats.

oats chivda recipe | poha oats chivda | tiffin and travel snack oats chivda |

Kids love corn flakes. In this innovative  corn flakes chivda , crisp-fried corn flakes are combined with crunchy peanuts, chana dal and spice powders to make a really exciting snack, which can be stored in an air-tight container for a few days.

corn flakes chivda recipe | cornflakes chivda for Diwali | dry snacks for tiffin | corn chivda jar snack | Indian makai chivda jar snack |

Khakhra chivda  is where crushed khakhras are pepped up with roasted chana dal, peanuts, cashew nuts, sev and other interesting ingredients, which will make the taste buds – and of course, your kids – to jump with joy.

Try our Indian travel food dry snacks recipes | Dry snack travel ideas for road trips | Indian vegetarian snacks to pack for tTrip | and other Indian travel food recipe articles below.

Happy Cooking!

18 Indian Travel Food Dhokla Recipes 18 Indian Travel Food Idli / Dosa / Upma Recipes 21 Indian Travel Food Paratha Recipes 19 Indian Travel Food Rice Recipes 18 Indian Travel Food Sabzi Recipes Indian Travel Food Sandwiches Recipes

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Perfect Paneer On United Shows Why Airlines Should Embrace Indian Food

While perhaps not as crowd-pleasing as a hamburger or buffalo mac and cheese, indian food provides airlines a great way to please crowds, cut costs, and even virtue signal support for the environment. i’m surprised we don’t see indian vegetarian dishes more often on airplanes..

On a recent United flight from San Francisco to Washington Dulles, I opted for the Indian vegetarian option over a chicken breast. It was described as paneer with rice and since I had never tried this dish before on United, it was an easy choice.

While I was waiting for it, warmed nuts were served and I encountered pistachios in my mix…also a first on United. I’d love to see these every time.

My dish turned out to be paneer over basmati rice in a butter masala sauce with golden raisins. And it was delicious. On the side was a cabbage salad with lima beans and a pretzel roll.

I’m frankly surprised more airlines don’t offer Indian food more often. First, I suspect the paneer costs less than pork or beef. Second, it’s always nice to offer a vegetarian option on any meal service flight. Third, one could argue that offering more vegetarian choices is better for the environment since meat production and transport causes so many emissions. That’s always a stretch coming from an airline, but SAS and KLM seem to be embracing it…

In short, Indian food is generally one of the better dishes for reheating and for maintaining flavor in a pressurized airline environment at 35,000 feet. As United promises to offer more plant-based meals and vegetarianism seems to be catching on, look for more Indian options on future flights. It just makes cents …

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About author.

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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31 comments.

I always request the Indian veg meal when flying a US airline, and not just because I’m Indian. Indian food is great for a flight! It reheats well, and the spice makes up for the decrease in taste experiences in low air pressure environments.

The one downside is that good Indian food can have a strong odor, and that can be unpleasant for a flight. Also, it doesn’t seem to be popular among US fliers as evidenced by the paucity of Indian restaurants in most US airports.

Paneer is not plant based

I know. It’s from a cow.

Odd that it had no odor. Paneer butter masala is mild, but usually pungent (as is butter chicken). When my wife and I bring home leftovers, you can definitely tell it’s in our fridge…

I wouldn’t say there was no odor, but it did not overwhelm the cabin.

“First, I suspect the paneer costs less than pork or beef.“

That’s actually not the case. I just paid $6 a pound at the Indian store. By contrast, chicken here is $3 a pound, and $4-5 for beef. So it’s a wash at best, but YMMV as food prices are cheaper than average in DFW. Plus paneer is dairy, so your climate change virtue signalers aren’t going to be any happier with its presence.

What I’m actually (pleasantly) surprised to see is that domestic airlines seem to have upped their game in the Indian food department, at least if that dish is any indication. I have had no shortage of really terrible Indian food aboard US and European airlines over the years, usually due to watery curry or overcooked rice.

As a point of comparison, have you ever tried the economy class Indian meals on United longhaul?

Haven’t had the chance to try UA’s Indian meals. AA’s were consistently awful on the old ORD-DEL route, even in J (admittedly this was years ago). VX used to offer butter chicken in F which was also terrible (2015, so not that long ago). On the opposite end of the spectrum, EK, QR, and SQ usually do a good job with Indian meals.

Agree that smell may be a concern. This dish, however, had no strong discernible odor. I don’t eat paneer very often so I cannot rate it comparatively to others, but I thought it was tasty.

Indian food is straight up diarrhea

Indeed it is for some people. That should never be the only option.

Highly unlikely with this kind of very bland dish. United is to be commended for offering this innovation: it appeals to many and offends no one.

On longhaul SQ flights, I always order the Indian vegetarian meal for the second meal served on board. SQ does it well, with naan, yogurt and various chutneys accompanying the entree.

Private Room has an amazing chicken biryani, I get it every time.

If there is a country outside India that should have good Indian food, it would be Singapore…

Another good option is the Vegetable Upma, a dish made from cream of wheat with tomatoes, beans,and peas, should serve as an ideal meal on a flight. The spice is very negligent if any and tastes really yummy.

Virtue signaling is Democrats asking Katie hill and al Franken to resign while the rapist is in the white house. Virtue signaling is next Democrat president trying to be president of everyone instead of throwing the Republicans under the bus.

Climate change is not virtue signaling. Frankly we don’t care if your kids and grand kids roast in soaring temperatures or lack of potable water or have to fight off hordes of climate refugee. Too bad we won’t be around to see their crappy life.

Agree with you on both the Hill and Franken resignations…both absurd. I’m in Schiff’s district, but Hill’s is next door. Three-way with staff? Let the voters decide if that is an issue or no issue at all.

I never said climate change is virtue signaling. I simply note the irony of some airlines talking about banning hot towels or reducing meal service “for the environment” when their growth and profitability is dependent upon spewing out toxins into the air…

Don’t feed the troll, Matthew…this one was so bad I think Lucky ended up banning them…

Not all my comments are directed towards the author of the article.

I have also had this meal in United Business and was surprised at how delicious it was. As a 1k vegetarian flyer I really wish United Stepped up their veg offering. The last few veg options I’ve had in Polaris Business have been horrible and I keep wondering why they don’t offer the simple paneer as it’s a much better choice!

I don’t think I can agree. I’m no stranger to strong spice and odor, but strong smelling food has a way of permeating enclosed spaces. The Alaska flight I was on yesterday when the flight attendant opened her broccolli something or other; two hours later and the cabin still smelled like boiled broccolli. Indian cooking traditionally tends to overdose on spices to compensate for low quality or par-spoiled ingredients. This isn’t unique to Indian cooking, mind you, the ingredients they use are just circumstancially problematic with a captive audience.

OMG! Please no to Indian foods on airplanes, no one would like to smell like coconut oil or butter curry at final stop. Secondly, many people now has fragrance allergy and it would nightmare to have a smelly flight and lastly no one want to sleep in kitchen, with Indian foods whole plane would smell like an indian kitchen, so hell no to indian foods. Also do not forget about farts after consuming indian spices.

It would be nice of United and all the domestic carriers start using halal meat(s), so it would be all inclusive of everyone to enjoy. It is not as strict as kosher, and is readily available now. By doing this, you would have to serve less special meals, which could be a cost saver.

That’s less than 2% of the population. And that’s assuming they all care about eating halal to begin with…

Even being an true blue indian I never order one on flight. Airlines food should be nice simple and non offensive. Continental or Thai cuisine goes well. My worst experience was on Changi Jakarta flight with Singapore airlines , where they had served mutton kima curry with paratha. Taste was good but the whole plane was smelling like a restaurant kitchen .

They could also add eggplant , okra and other vegetables cooked in Indian curries.

I had chicken tikka masala from MIA to IAH last year and it was excellent as well.

I also request the Hindu meal ex-Asia because UA catering is pretty suspect from there, the options have always been extremely tasty, even the midflight sandwich in economy is good. It is a cucumber/mint sandwich vs the process cheese/meat.

I never knew they served meals on US domestic flights! Was this in economy or first class?

First class.

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Long-Lasting Food To Carry While Travelling In India

Getting proper food is one of the biggest concerns during long journeys in India , especially if you’re travelling by train. Unlike road travel, you can’t stop at dhabas and restaurants for your meals. In case you are travelling on a flight , you have plenty of options at the airport.

During train travel, IRCTC provides food and catering for certain travel classes, but everyone is not a fan of railway food. I myself prefer to carry homemade food while travelling or buy food before boarding the train.

Fresh food cooked in the pantry cars is available only to first-class travellers, while passengers in 2A and 3A coaches receive food loaded from kitchen setups at different stations.

Being an avid traveller myself, I’ve learned the pain of not getting proper food during train travels . While I’m not very picky about food, there are obvious health concerns to worry about. With that said, the purpose of this article is to guide you on different ideas for Indian food to carry while travelling . I’ve tried to be as inclusive as possible to accommodate different food preferences.

Breakfast Ideas During Travel

Let’s start with breakfast since nobody loves to start the day in a ruined mood. You may either buy your breakfast from vendors or at stations or carry homemade breakfast items. Here are the best breakfast ideas, some of which I personally carry during my train travels.

1. Sandwiches – The Best Option

When it comes to readymade food for travel , sandwiches are one of your easiest options. Not only are they mess-free, but there are plenty of sandwich ingredients that won’t go bad quickly.

Besides, one can make sandwiches with anything from fresh vegetables and dairy products to cooked fillings . This makes it a suitable breakfast item for travellers with dietary or religious restrictions.

The only issue with carrying sandwiches for long periods is that the bread can turn soggy. You may have to carry the bread and the other ingredients in separate containers to prevent this. Sandwiches made with some ingredients like cheese, jam, or cream can stay for a few more hours without getting soggy. You can check and prepare various Indian sandwich recipes for your next trip.

2. Fruits – Essentials To Stay Healthy

Fruits are always a good choice if you’re trying to stay on a healthy diet . You may either carry them from home or buy them from vendors during your travels. Apart from the fruit sellers at almost every major railway station, vendors boarding the trains sell bananas, apples, oranges, and other fruits too. Just grab a good mix of different fruits and start your day with a healthy breakfast.

3. Egg or Butter Toast – Your Personal Choice

These are one of the most common items available on Indian trains during breakfast hours. A hot and fresh egg toast or simply bread toast with an omelette can make a delicious breakfast too. In case you’re a vegetarian and don’t eat eggs, you can always go for butter toast instead. Besides being simple and healthy, this is very affordable food for train journeys.

4. Idli And Vada – The Long Laster

If you’re fond of South Indian food, idli and vada are among the best long-lasting Indian food for travel on trains. Neither of the two would get spoiled any time soon as long as you pack them properly in foils and airtight containers. Carrying the sambar might be a problem, but focan simply eat them with chutneys instead.

5. Kachori – Most Popular Indian Travel Food

It is a popular food that most of us love, and commonly available on trains. Kachori vendors board trains at various times of the day, especially in the morning. Unless you’re on a diet or don’t want to eat any sort of unhealthy food from vendors, you might want to go for it.

Dry kachoris (khasta kachoris) are also a good choice if you need food to carry while travelling in India. Firstly, you can carry them for long periods without worrying about them going bad. Secondly, they’re dry items and don’t cause a mess. You may either make them at home or buy them before boarding the train.

6. Upma – Minimal Yet Nutritious

For travellers who love North Indian food, Upma is always a great choice. The dry texture of this dish makes it mess-free, and you can carry it for long periods without any problem. The light texture of upma makes it a perfect breakfast item during travel , while the ingredients make it healthy and nutritious. It’s easy to see why I listed upma among the best food for the train journey.

Lunch And Dinner Ideas For Indian Travel

Now that we have covered the breakfast items, let’s find out what you can have for lunch or dinner when travelling by train. This is often a problem as most of the common Indian meals involve gravy or curry-based foods, which might create a mess. Thankfully, there are a few relatively dry and non-messy options too.

1. Paratha And Puri – Delicious Travel Food

Parathas and puris are one of the most common tiffin choices in India. However, they’re also one of the best travel food recipes for lunch and dinner as they’re easy to make, can be stored for a long time, and are quite satisfactory for the stomach.

If you’re setting out in the morning and have some time, you can make parathas or puris and pack them for lunch. However, make sure the food accompanying the parathas is something dry and won’t go bad if you leave it packed for a long time.

Alternatively, you can just go for parathas made with the fillings already inside them, such as aloo paratha or onion paratha . In this case, all you’ll need is some pickle.

2. Thepla – Best Alternative to Paratha

Similar to rotis and parathas to come extent, theplas are a great option for long train journeys too. For train travel, it’s better to go for different thepla variants like methi thepla , doodhi thepla , zucchini thepla etc., rather than regular theplas.

The added flavour will make up for the lack of a good side dish. In this regard, remember not to use curd when making the theplas. Curd lowers a thepla’s shelf-life , which is the exact opposite of what you need.

3. Roti – Most Preferred Dinner Choice

Rotis are another good type of homemade food for travelling. Parathas are delicious, but rotis are admittedly healthier as they don’t contain oil . Being a common staple, rotis are widely available, and you can easily buy some before you board the train.

The same advice I mentioned for parathas goes for rotis too – eat the rotis with dry side dishes to avoid creating a mess . If you decide to eat the food provided by IRCTC, you may have rotis among your options there too.

4. Rice With Side Dishes – Best Alternative To Roti

I mention rice only because it’s a staple food in India and one of the most popular meals. However, this isn’t a viable option unless you’re travelling in a train class with IRCTC catering or you are on a road trip .

A variety of thalis, including both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, are available on Indian trains. Even if the official catering service isn’t available to you, getting good food during train journeys won’t be a problem. Speaking of IRCTC , did you know that online catering services with price list are also available on trains?

IRCTC has launched an e-catering service that delivers restaurant foods to railway passengers . If you’re picky about your meals or would just like something special for a change, this is the perfect solution.

On the other hand, carrying rice and its side dishes during long journeys is not only inconvenient but there’s a high chance of the food going bad.

5. Pasta – My Favourite

If you’re more in the mood for some spicy homemade food for travelling other than Indian cuisines, you may carry pasta for your train journey. Seasoned with vegetables and sauces , pasta is one of the most popular Italian dishes.

It’s particularly preferred by Indian mothers to cook tiffin for their kids as it doesn’t take much time to make. The same reason also makes it a great choice when you have a train to catch.

Being a fried or boiled dish, pasta can last a long time in an enclosed container . Apart from homemade pasta, you may also buy pasta at various fast-food corners.

Snacks To Carry While Travelling

When it comes to snacks for travelling in India, there’s no dearth of options. In fact, the diverse range of snacks available during road, flight and train travels greatly adds to the experience. I don’t think I have ever had a train journey in which I didn’t buy snacks along the way. Here are some of the best and most popular snack options for you:

There’s no way one can talk about Indian snacks without mentioning samosas. Affordable and delicious, they have always remained one of the top choices for Indian travellers. You can easily buy them from vendors boarding the trains or the small snack shops on railway platforms . Even IRCTC sometimes provides samosas among the food they offer through their catering service.

It is not only available for train travel, but also at airports and roadside shops. Especially if you get some tea or coffee, there’s no better way to enjoy it than having it with a couple of samosas.

Like samosas, pakoras are another great choice for snacking. If you travel in sleeper class, it’s quite common to find vendors selling various types of pakoras . However, if you’re strictly sticking to homemade food for travelling, you may even make the pakoras at home and carry on your trip.

For any dietary restrictions due to religious factors or health issues, you’re free to pick what to fill the pakoras with. Besides, deep-fried items like pakoras last very long. If you seek long-lasting Indian food for travel, it’s easy to see that pakoras are among your top options.

3. Dry Fruits

Can’t have samosas or pakoras because you’re on a diet? Don’t worry, here’s an option for travellers who need healthy snacks for the train journey.

Dry fruits like raisins, cashews, and nuts are not only good for your health but also have a very long shelf-life. You may even carry a container full of dry fruits for a train journey that’s going to last a few days. The next time you visit Kashmir or any other place well-known for dry fruits, feel free to buy some for your return journey.

While dry fruits are tasty and healthy, they’re rather small and light. Dhoklas make good snacks for the train journey if you’re looking for a healthy item with low oil content . You may either make them at home or buy them from a snack shop on your way. With their beautiful blend of sweet and sour taste, dhoklas are a good solution if you’re travelling with children and it’s hard to make them stick to healthy foods.

Moving away from the healthy stuff again, chips are one of the most popular packed food items for travel in India among snacks . Ranging from simple salted potato chips to flavoured chips from well-known brands, there’s a diverse range of options to pick from.

Besides, chips are pretty much ubiquitous in India – available almost everywhere. In case you’d love to enjoy this crunchy snack during your journey, but are worried about the ingredients, homemade chips are the way to go. There are various homemade chips recipes like potato chips, sabudana chips, banana chips , etc.

6. Cookies And Cakes

Maybe you’d like to carry some packed food items for travel in India but would prefer something healthier than chips? Well, you can always go for some cakes and cookies. They’re available almost everywhere – even at the small tea stalls along the roads or airport. Besides, baked food have a very long shelf-life, making them a suitable option for longer journeys .

In Conclusion

As for carrying homemade food on train and road journeys, just remember to pick items that won’t go bad by the time you plan to consume them . I personally go for potato-based preparations for my rotis and parathas since they’re dry and less likely to cause a mess.

Apart from the above food ideas, you can also carry chocolates, biscuits, cold drinks, fruit juice, puffed rice, namkeens, and sweets like laddu and rasgulla on your next trip.

In case you plan to travel by plane during your journey, keep in mind that food for air travel deserves special consideration due to various restrictions . Check with your airline to know what kind of food you’re allowed to carry on the flight. Hopefully, you found this guide helpful and can now enjoy your travel on train, air, or road as much as I do.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. Let us know your experience! If you like us to write on any specific topic, send your request to [email protected] . Your feedback is highly appreciated. We will love to hear from you!

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Essential Rules to Carry Food and Snacks from USA to India: Your Questions Answered

Bringing back your favorite food and beverage from USA to India can be a delightful way to relish familiar flavors or introduce your loved ones to new culinary experiences. However, knowing the rules is important when transporting food from the USA to India . In this article, we’ll answer common questions and guide you on carrying food and snacks for a smooth journey.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure a hassle-free journey without any complications at customs.

Choose Non-Perishable and Commercially Packaged Items

When packing food items for your trip, it’s best to focus on non-perishable options that are commercially packaged. Avoid carrying fresh produce, homemade dishes, or items that may spoil during transit. Opt for sealed and properly labeled products that have a longer shelf life.

Declare Your Food Items

To avoid any issues with customs officials, it is important to declare all the food items you are carrying. This can be done by filling out the customs declaration form accurately. Be transparent about the contents of your luggage and provide details about the food products you are bringing with you.

Pack Securely in Original Packaging

To ensure the safety and integrity of your food items, it is advisable to pack them securely in their original packaging or sealed containers. This not only helps in identifying the contents but also prevents any spillage or damage during the journey. Proper packaging also makes it easier for customs officials to inspect the items if necessary.

Familiarize Yourself with Indian Customs Regulations

Before traveling, take some time to familiarize yourself with the customs regulations of India. Each country has its own set of rules regarding the import of food items. Be aware of any specific restrictions or additional guidelines imposed by Indian customs. This will help you avoid any unexpected surprises or confiscation of prohibited items.

Be Mindful of Quantity

While there are no specific quantity restrictions for personal consumption, it is recommended to carry a reasonable amount of food that aligns with your needs. Carrying excessive quantities may raise suspicions or lead to additional scrutiny at customs. Pack an amount that is suitable for personal use and avoid carrying items in bulk.

Consume Perishable Items Before Traveling

Perishable food items are generally not allowed to be brought into India. To avoid any issues, it is advisable to consume perishable items before your travel or leave them behind. This ensures compliance with customs regulations and prevents any potential health risks associated with spoiled or expired food.

Cooperate with Customs Officials

During the customs inspection process, it is important to cooperate with the officials. If requested, provide accurate information about the food items you are carrying and follow any instructions given by the authorities. Being polite, patient, and cooperative can help facilitate a smooth process and minimize any delays or complications.

Also Read: Essential Rules to Carry Electronics from USA to India

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of food can be carried from USA to India?

Non-perishable and commercially packaged food items are generally allowed for personal consumption. This includes items like packaged snacks, candies, canned goods, dry fruits, spices, and condiments. It’s crucial to check the labels and ensure that the packaging is intact and unopened.

How many drinks can I carry from USA to India?

When it comes to carrying drinks from the USA to India, there are certain regulations you need to be aware of. You are generally allowed to bring a reasonable quantity of alcoholic beverages for personal consumption. This can be wine or liquor. However, it is important to check the specific limits and guidelines set by the Indian customs authority. It is advisable to declare any alcoholic drinks you are carrying at customs.  Also, be prepared to pay any applicable duties or taxes. For non-alcoholic beverages like soft drinks or juices, you can typically bring them in your luggage. This is as long as they are properly sealed and for personal use.

Can I carry fresh fruits and vegetables from the USA to India?

Unfortunately, fresh fruits and vegetables are generally not allowed to be brought into India. This is due to agricultural regulations and the risk of introducing pests or diseases. It is best to avoid carrying perishable produce and opt for commercially packaged alternatives.

Are there any specific restrictions on carrying meat or dairy products to India?

Yes, there are restrictions on bringing meat and dairy products into India. Animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, and dairy items are subject to strict regulations. In most cases, it is prohibited to carry these items due to sanitary and health concerns. It is advisable to refrain from packing such items to avoid complications at customs.

Can I carry packaged snacks and chocolates from USA to India?

Packaged snacks and chocolates that are commercially produced and properly sealed are generally allowed for personal consumption. However, it is important to check the ingredient list and ensure that the products do not contain any prohibited substances. Always declare these items at customs to avoid any misunderstandings.

Is it necessary to declare all the food items I am carrying from USA to India?

Yes, it is crucial to declare all the food items you are carrying on the customs declaration form. Being transparent and honest about the contents of your luggage is important to comply with customs regulations. Failure to declare food items can lead to penalties or confiscation.

Are there any quantity restrictions for food items I carry from USA to India?

There are no specific quantity restrictions for personal consumption. However, it is advisable to carry a reasonable amount of food that aligns with your needs. Carrying excessive quantities may raise suspicions and result in additional scrutiny at customs.

Can I bring homemade food or dishes from USA to India?

It is generally recommended to avoid carrying homemade food or dishes, as they are more likely to be subject to scrutiny by customs officials. Homemade food items may not comply with the necessary packaging and labeling requirements. It is safer to stick to commercially packaged and sealed products.

What happens if I fail to comply with customs regulations?

Failure to comply with customs regulations can result in confiscation of the prohibited items, fines, or even legal consequences. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations. And also follow them to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.

Can I ship food items to India instead of carrying them with me?

Shipping food items to India can be a complex process due to various regulations and restrictions. It is advisable to check with shipping companies and customs authorities for specific guidelines and requirements before considering this option.

Should I be aware of specific Indian customs regulations?

Yes, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with Indian customs regulations regarding food items. Some items may be subject to additional regulations or restrictions, such as certain spices, plant-based products, or dairy items. Research the latest guidelines or consult with the Indian embassy or consulate in your country for specific information.

Can I carry food in my checked baggage or carry-on from USA to India?

Both checked baggage and carry-on luggage can be used to transport food items. However, it’s advisable to place delicate or fragile items in your carry-on bag to ensure they remain intact. Additionally, keeping a small quantity of snacks or essential food items in your carry-on can be convenient during the journey.

Will my food items be inspected at customs when traveling from USA to India?

Customs officials have the authority to inspect your luggage, including food items, to ensure compliance with regulations. If selected for inspection, cooperate with the officials. Furthermore, provide accurate information, and follow their instructions. Remember, they are responsible for maintaining safety and security.

How many Doritos can I carry from USA to India?

There are no specific restrictions on carrying Doritos or other commercially packaged snacks. Especially when you’re traveling from the USA to India for personal consumption. As long as the Doritos are properly sealed and meant for personal use, you can generally carry a reasonable quantity of them. However, it is important to declare them at customs. Also, ensure that they comply with the overall weight and size restrictions for your luggage. It is always a good idea to check the latest customs regulations and guidelines. This is to stay informed about any changes or specific requirements regarding food items.

By adhering to these essential rules when flying through international flights , you can carry your favorite food and beverage from the USA to India without encountering major hurdles. It is important to prioritize food safety and abide by customs regulations. Remember, the goal is to have an enjoyable journey while ensuring compliance with all necessary rules.

So, pack your favorite snacks, book flights using Indian Eagle deals . Remember to follow the essential rules to carry your favorite food and beverage from USA to India. So, you can relish on these delicacies without any worry.

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Foods that are allowed and not allowed on flights

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01 /11 foods that you can and can't carry on flight.

Some people believe that the best part of travelling is the journey rather than the destination. And accept it or not, what you carry with yourself to eat makes the journey a hundred times better. You not only have food security but also save your pocket from suffering a significant hole by not buying the supremely pricey food on an aeroplane. But the world can never be a perfect place and one of the examples to prove it is the long list of foods that we are not allowed to carry with ourselves. Just like there is some positive in the negative, there’s an equally long list of items that you are allowed to carry with yourselves. Read on to find out what the Transport Security System approves and disapproves of:

02 /11 Sandwiches- YES!

03 /11 Wine/ Liquor- NO!

04 /11 Firm cheese- YES!

05 /11 Canned food- NO!

06 /11 Spices- YES!

07 /11 Nutella- NO!

08 /11 Baby food- YES!

09 /11 Soup - NO!

10 /11 Sliced fruits- YES!

11 /11 Jams- NO!

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What are the options for in-flight meals for South Asian and Middle Eastern travellers?

Do religion-based meals strictly adhere to their respective dietary laws.

We Indians and our neighbours around us and in the middle-east, celebrate food as sustenance from the Lord. In turn, we celebrate our Lord by giving thanks with the food he has given us. However, some foods are off-limits to us, depending on the paths to the Lord we follow, either by us being a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Jain or all or none.

When we leave home and travel to different lands, our concern for food is heightened. Some of us may question everything, Some avoid everything. Yet, others will pay no mind.

For decades, airlines from across the world have provided meals catering to individual dietary requirements. Meals based on religious dietary requirements include Kosher (KSML) and Kosher Snack (KSMLS), Muslim (MOML), Hindu (HNML) and Jain (JNML) meals.

Religion-based meals become an issue when airlines fail to fully understand their specific requirements. Even if airlines claim to fully comply, it is still unclear if the food served is certified by respective faith-based monitoring authorities.

In this post, I shall attempt to describe the different kinds of special meals Indian travellers can request while booking. I shall also highlight some problems and issues that arise concerning these meals.

No Airline can guarantee fulfilling individual dietary requirements 100%. It is up to us passengers to take some burden of due diligence if we are being serious about it.

Moslem meal (MOML)

The very name and spelling itself evokes ire among many Muslims today. Some have petitioned to urge the IATA to rename it Halal Meal in order to be more inclusive. However, calling a meal ‘Halal’ will cause more confusion and problems, especially today

By Qur’anic definition, all meals offered on all flights are halal until there is evidence of alcohol, pork-products or meat from any animal or bird that has not been sacrificed according to the Islamic ritual.

By this definition, all vegetarian and seafood meals are Halal for Muslim passengers to enjoy, (as long as alcohol was not used in their preparation)

Halal-certified meals are offered on airlines operating from most Muslim majority countries of North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia and East Asia. These meals are made with halal slaughtered chicken or beef and prepared and served according to local flavours.

India’s flag carrier, Air India states that “All non-vegetarian meals are suitable for Muslims and are prepared in accordance with Halal method.” [ source ]. This has, however, created controversy and confusion, which I will discuss further below.

The increased costs of Halal in most western countries discourage airlines from serving halal-certified meals. Therefore, they will go with the basic definition of Halal and serve vegetarian or seafood meals (void of alcohol) for passengers requesting the Muslim Meal (MOML).

Secondly, Muslims themselves cannot agree on what is considered Halal. While all Muslims agree on hand-slaughtered halal meat, some will strictly avoid machine-slaughtered halal.

There is also a never-ending debate on animal-derived products such as gelatin, rennet and whey from non-halal slaughtered animals. Some say these individual products are Halal while others will avoid everything non-zabiha.

With such differences amongst Muslims themselves, foreign airlines would rather avoid the halal certification route altogether.

If you requested a Moslem (MOML) Meal when booking your trip, you need to remain diligent if you are serious about Halal. Ask questions and read all label and ingredients. After all, those treats and snacks distributed to all passengers sometimes may contain an ingredient that may not agree with you.

Hindu Meal (HNML)

While it is widely perceived that Hindus are vegetarians, (thanks to Bollywood and India’s top politicians), a little over the majority of Hindus (about 53%) are non-vegetarians.

Non-Vegetarian Hindus prefer poultry, seafood, goat, and lamb as their sources of meat. Most Hindus will, however, avoid beef and pork due to the cow being considered a motherly animal and the pig being considered unclean.

The Hindu Meal (HNML) served by airlines is non-vegetarian . It will contain either lamb or chicken as an entree. But it will not contain any beef or pork. This is where it ends.

Hinduism and Sikhism prescribed method for killing an animal that is intended to be consumed. This method, called Jhatka, calls for the killing of the animal or bird, instantly, in one swift blow.

Are airlines serving their passengers Jhatka meat in their Hindu Meals then?

Unfortunately, the answer to the above question is an overwhelming negative.

On its website, India’s flag carrier Air India, when describing their Moslem Meal (MOML) states that “All non-vegetarian meals are suitable for Muslims and are prepared in accordance with Halal method.” [ source ].

Would then, Air India’s Hindu Meal (HNML), which contains lamb or chicken, not be slaughtered by Jhatka? Is the Hindu Meal in Air India actually Halal?

Halal meat is considered the opposite of Jhatka. An animal dies instantly with Jhatka and is considered not to have suffered even for a moment. An animal slaughtered the Halal or Kosher method has its throat slit and is then left to fight for its life until all the blood is drained.

Halal meat is considered Kutha by Sikh scholars and thus prohibited for the Khalsa.

Air India’s statement has created confusion and controversy. There are campaigns amongst the Sikh and the Hindu communities to get Air India to clarify it’s a stance. Petitions to the Prime Minister of India have also been circulated to get the Hindu Meal (HNML) inline with Hindu and Sikh beliefs.

Vegetarian Jain Meal (VJML) or Jain Meal (JNML)

The Jain Meal is the only religion-based meal offered by airlines that is strictly vegan. Jains are lacto-vegetarians and will not have any form of meat or eggs. Additionally, Jains do not eat vegetables that grow underground such as onions, potatoes, carrots, beets and radishes. Mushrooms and other fungi are also avoided.

The codes VJML and JNML are used interchangeably among airlines and there is no difference between them

Jain meals are cooked in Indian spices and are thus aromatic and flavourful especially when compared to the Vegan (VGML) Meal. You can expect a serving of Dal-Chawal or Chhole-parathe as the main entree with fruit for dessert. A bread roll, butter and a cup of yogurt are also commonly found in Jain Meals.

One would expect that with such simplistic requirements, Jain Meals should have little to no controversy. However, that may not be the case with some airlines.

Passengers have caught onions and garlic being used and served with Jain meals . Airline insensitivities have gone as far as labelling Jain Meals and Asian Vegetarian meals as one .

Again, we must do our part to educate companies if we are serious about our dietary requirements and expect others to reciprocate in the same manner.

Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML)

Indian passengers from around the world frequently request an Asian Vegetarian (AVML) Meal when booking their trips. It is only a formality for travel agents to ask their Indian clients, “Meal, Asian Veggie ?” as they would have already put it down.

The Asian Vegetarian Meal does not contain any meat or eggs. It may accompany dairy in the form of yogurt or as one of the ingredients in the meal. It is cooked Indian-style with strong tasting herbs and spices in ghee or oil.

The Asian Vegetarian (AVML) Meal includes a dish of either potato, peas or other vegetables with paneer or tofu. This will be accompanied by rice, naan or paratha, a side salad and water. Some airlines may also include a Samosa or a spicy Puri. The accompanying dessert could be an eggless cake, gulab jamun or a carrot halwa.

Some people choose an Asian Vegetarian Meal (AVML) because it re-heats well. The aroma of the spices fills the air around you when you open the heated meal for the first time, much to the envy of your fellow passengers.

Unfortunately, there have been occasions where airlines failed to deliver. One reviewer, who requested an Asian Vegetarian Meal was served a vegetarian meal, void of any Asian flavour !

Other times, passengers on red-eye flights who’d enjoyed their vegetarian dinner the night before, would wake up shocked, finding a breakfast of eggs and sausage in front of them.

Airlines cannot guarantee a wholesome experience based on your dietary requirements. If you are strict about your diet, then we passengers also need to be diligent when handed out treats and snacks given to all passengers. Read the labels and the ingredients list to see if it is clear of any items you may not agree with.

Kosher (KSML)

This post would be incomplete if I did not discuss Kosher Airline Meals, which began to first appear in the 1960s for orthodox Jewish travellers. But where does Kosher fit amongst Indians? Read on to find out.

A look at India’s relationship with Judaism

India has had a long history with Jews, who first settled in Cochin in 562 BCE. They trace their ancestry to the traders of Solomon. A lost tribe of Bene Israel has resided in Mumbai and another tribe of Bene Menashe have made Manipur and Mizoram home since the time of Jesus Christ.

The imperial colonization of India beginning the 17th century brought Jews from Europe. These Jews were Sephardic (Iberian) and they eventually settled in the urban centres of Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. Their synagogues (which mostly sit empty), exist all over India to this day.

Jewish Migration to India peaked in the 1940s but after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, most made Aliyah and left India forever.

There are over 70,000 Jews of Indian origin who live in Israel. A further 50,000 economic migrants from India and Pakistan also work for Israel’s High-tech companies and in the Healthcare sector. Around than 80,000 Indians visit Israel every year to holiday and pilgrimage in the Holy Land.

The Kosher Meal (KSML) experience

Kosher Meals (KSML) are the most commonly requested special meal on airlines, even amongst non-Jewish passengers who believe it to be cleaner and healthier. Because kosher food containers and their content are handled together with non-kosher food in non-kosher areas, these meals come double-wrapped.

Kosher meals are also the most expensive amongst all special meals, costing almost twice as much. However, some airlines are known to cut costs and serve sub-standard kosher food on short and mid-haul flights. The complaints are aplenty.

If you are flying an airline that flies to Israel or one that serves a significant number of Jewish passengers every year, then there should be little to no problem requesting their kosher meals which are fulfilling and satisfying.

The flag carrier of Israel, El-Al, not only has Kosher meals as standard, but it also provides options for requesting meals that are Glatt Kosher (animals without any defect in their lungs) or Kosher l’Mehadrin, a more strict level of kosher.

However, requesting a Kosher meal can be problematic with an airline that does not serve a significant number of Jewish Passengers, or worse, originating from a country, that is also hostile with Israel. Meals on these flights may comply with Kashrut, but they are in no way certified.

I once requested a Kosher Meal (KSML) on an Etihad flight between Toronto and Abu Dhabi, just to explore what I get. (Note that the UAE does not recognize the existence of Israel). At dinner time, the flight attendant came up to me said they couldn’t find my meal and asked me if I would like to have their standard (halal certified) meal of either chicken, beef or fish. I complied and happily ate what was offered and soon went to sleep.

On the return flight, a box was suddenly dropped on to my tray. It was double wrapped and barely included a serving of raw vegetables and dip. I was bewildered because not only I had forgotten about my “special meal request”, but it was nothing like a meal I had anticipated.

Kashrut is never simple. Any food that undergoes cooking or processing even if it is plant-based, such as boiled rice or steamed vegetables needs to be Kosher certified. The easiest route to bypass any kosher authority would be, therefore, to serve unprocessed fruits and vegetables in their natural state or raw.

My wife took pity on me and shared her delicious Asian Vegetarian meal (AVML) with me. She also broke open for me a box of biscuits and other snacks we had packed in our carry on.

Lesson learned.

Other Widely Available Meal Options

If your choice of a faith-based meal is unavailable when booking your flight, you may have to choose differently. I have only discussed a select few meals below that may be suitable for the Indian masses.

Vegan (VGML)

The vegan meal is suitable for vegetarians who also do not eat animal byproducts like dairy and eggs. The vegan meal includes rice, beans and lentils as the main entree, along with raw salad on the side.

A selection of fruits may be served as dessert. Some airlines will take the effort to include a vegan dessert such as coconut rolled dates, or a jelly dessert.

Vegetarian Oriental (VOML)

This is a vegan meal that is prepared Oriental style. It includes a selection of steamed vegetables, rice or noodles, a bread roll, a selection of fruit and a jelly dessert.

Vegetarian Lacto-Ovo (VLML)

This is a Vegetarian Meal that will also contain eggs and dairy products. Here, you will discover a variety of options from airline to airline. This meal may either include pasta or rice with vegetables cooked in a sauce. You may find a savoury or sweet pastry on the side, along with a selection of fruit, cheese and dessert.

Raw Vegetable (RVML)

This is a meal of unprocessed fruits and vegetables in their natural state: washed and cut. It includes a salad of raw vegetables: tomato, lettuce, onion, celery, carrot, cucumber or lemon. You may find a selection of fruits for dessert on the side.

Fruit Platter (FPML)

A fruit platter is intended for passengers who only eat fruit when fasting. It is also great for those who prefer not to eat when moving (in planes, buses and trains) and those who suffer from altitude sickness.

A Fruit Platter Meal (FPML) consists of a selection of in-season and local varieties of fruits: apples, melons, oranges, kiwi, pineapple, grapes and berries. It may include fruit juice on the side along with water.

Discover more options on getting fed aboard

A more complete list of special airline meals and their descriptions can be found at:

https://www.inflightfeed.com/special-meals/

For passengers who are vegetarians, here is a great article on how you get your veggies on the air:

https://www.happycow.net/vegtopics/travel/airline-meal

Do you request a special meal when booking your flight? What has been your experience? Or would you simply opt for a standard meal because they just might be a little different this time?

Share your experiences below in the comments.

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The Ultimate Indian Vegetarian's Guide To Travelling Abroad

In the last few years, we've had our share of struggle finding good vegetarian food while travelling abroad, sometimes it's been breezy and we have gotten opportunities to try the delicious local cuisines customised for vegetarians and the other times, we barely managed to survive.

Stemming from our experiences, we've put together the ultimate Indian Vegetarian's Guide To Travelling Abroad

Read on, and let this be your biblical guide when getting your passport stamped and wandering to picturesque destinations.

1. Pre-booking meals for flight

Always pre-select your meal a few days in advance for your flight. Most airlines internationally do not carry excess vegetarians meals and only serve them to the passengers who have pre-booked their meals. There are various options like, Veg Hindu meal, Asian meal, etc It it best to select your meal in advance to avoid any trouble here.

2. Pre-flight Hacks

If you are someone who does not necessarily love the food served on the flight, it's best recommended to carry a small meal along. You can pack sandwiches, theplas or even purchase something from the airport before hand. Subway wraps, croissants, or sandwiches are usually a good option. I'd suggest avoid heavy meals right before or in the flight especially if it's a long journey.

3. Nerd Out That Research Game

Research is the key! Try and figure out a few eating options around your hotel/AirBnb. It's always good to know about the local cuisines and the ingredients which they normally use. If you are keen on trying authentic food or one of the specialities, Mark out a restaurant of your choice which does customise as per one's preference and also fits your budget.

4. Munchies For The Rescue

It's always good to carry a few things like almonds, walnuts, protein bars, etc while travelling. It's a great munching option while you are hopping from 1 spot to another.

5. Ready To Cook Mixes

There are easy to cook packets of home cooked meals like Rajma, Rice, and other items which are available in abundance in India.

6. Instant Food

In case you're put up in a hostel with kitchen access, you can always prepare Maggie, sandwiches, pancakes (you will have to carry egg-less batter along)

7. Analyse That Breakfast Buffet

It is also crucial to analyse the breakfast buffet and make the most of it. Check with the servers for vegetarian options, please specify if you are looking for egg-less items. It is in-fact best to mention that you do not want any kind of meat, fish, egg.

I remember once taking a portion of the baked beans from my Breakfast buffet in in Seoul innocently assuming it's going to be harmless until Of-course I found small pieces of meat In it.

8. Go-to Vegetarian Choices and Hacks

Things which are usually available for vegetarians - Fruits, salad leaves, yogurt, Bread, grilled veggies, roasted potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and grilled tomatoes.

My go to is a salad with lettuce and other veggies options along with a dressing. You can also make your own sandwich, it is nice and filling.

Another thing which work 6/10 times is letting the servers in your hotel know that you are vegetarian, sometimes they might be considerate and prepare an additional dish for your breakfasts during the course of your stay

9. Channel Your Grocery Shopping Enthusiasm

Go grocery shopping! Go to the nearest seven Eleven or any other store where you can purchase bread, butter, jam, Frozen pizzas (this is useful if you have access to the oven), sandwiches, milkshakes, coffees, instant noodles and bakery items. It is convenient and cost effective.

One of the most important thing is to read the ingredients list carefully while buying packaged food.

Fresh fruits are great options too, this way you also get to try the local fruits.

10. Say yes to sides

A lot of side dishes options are usually vegetarian, this I learnt visiting a few steak houses. While sides are not complete meals, they are usually delicious. Sauteed mushrooms, spinach and corn, tomato soup, are some of the

We hope these little hacks that we fondly call the ultimately Indian vegetarian's guide to travelling abroad comes handy the next time you're flying on the international skies.

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Further Reads

Healthy Vegetarian Food to Carry While Traveling Abroad

Looking for healthy vegetarian food to carry while traveling abroad? This post written with WOLO Snacks shares some ideas for food that’ll uphold the rigors of travel.

Vegetarian or meat-eater, we’ve all faced the same dilemma while traveling abroad– overpriced, unhealthy, and/or straight up disgusting food on a long flight. Having been to eight countries this year, I’ve tested the best healthy snacks for air travel, which are part of my travel must haves list!

I’ve found that the ones that last the longest and are most worrisome-free are vegetarian ones since you don’t need to worry about refrigerating anything. As a result, here are my suggestions for health vegetarian food to carry while traveling abroad.

Snacks to Bring on a Plane That You Might Not Have Thought Of

At first, this might seem a little silly to bring an avocado on the plane. But if you treat it like a hand fruit, it’s quite easy to eat and is a great portable snack.

How-to Carry & Eat While Traveling: I pack an avocado in a zip lock bag so that I have someplace to throw the peel in when I’m on the plane. Then when I’m flying, I peel the avocado just like I would a banana or orange, and eat it right out of my hand! I even throw a little salt in the zip lock bag, which I sprinkle on the avocado.

Health Benefit(s) Specific to Traveling: Ever get quite dehydrated on a plane because of the air conditioning circulating? Well, this high-fat fruit contains healthy fats and fiber, which help your body hold onto water. It is a pretty great fruit for staying healthy while traveling!

WOLO Snack Bar

This is my new favorite snack to carry while I travel because it’s non-perishable. It’s also my new favorite snack at home. As I write this, I’m munching on the Cocoa Crunch flavor, which has a cute picture of the Eiffel Tower and Metro sign, bringing me back to my trip there last week!

How-to Carry & Eat While Traveling:  This one’s a no-brainer as these bars were designed for travel. Their tagline is that it’s the “world’s best travel bar, by far” because they don’t turn into sticky, gooey messes or lose flavor if they’re in your bag too long. Just pop it in your carry-on, check-in, and even your pocket so you can bring it out whenever you need fuel for your travels.

Health Benefit(s) Specific to Traveling: What I love about these is that each bar has 15 grams of protein to keep you fuller longer and wholesome ingredients like their immunity blend, flax seeds, turmeric, and coconut oil. These all have powerful antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to keep your immune system strong and healthy because no one likes to get sick while traveling or bring home the sniffles!

Did I mention they have two delicious layers of crunch and chew and are gluten and soy-free? Try all three flavors here.

Sweet Potato

Yes, this is another odd vegetable that you might not picture bringing, but it’s quite tasty and enjoyable to have on the plane when your food options are heavily salted yet still bland… somehow .

How-to Carry & Eat While Traveling:  I scrub the sweet potatoes clean and roast them the night before traveling. Then I wrap them tightly aluminum foil. When I’m on the plane or the airport, I act like the foil is its peel, and peel the foil as I eat the sweet potato, skin and all.

Health Benefit(s) Specific to Traveling:  Traveling can mess up your digestive system because of the changes in sleep times and routines. Just getting onto a plane where you may get dehydrated can lead to constipation. Sweet potatoes have a ton of fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive system while its high phytosterol content protects the digestive system .

Hard Boiled Eggs

I can’t get enough protein when I travel. It seems so often I’m eating a croissant after pancakes after a baguette after… you get the idea. This extra bit of carb-free protein helps me get my trip off on the right start.

How-to Carry & Eat While Traveling:  If the eggs are older and I know they’re going to be easy-to-peel, I pop them unpeeled in a Ziploc bag  to use the bag for the peels later. But if I know the eggs are going to be hard to peel or I just don’t want to deal with the hassle of them, I peel them at home, then put them in a Ziploc bag to carry.

I generally eat these as soon as I get to the airport or I’m on the plane so that they don’t spoil.

Health Benefit(s) Specific to Traveling:  Eggs have so many vitamins and minerals for maintaining your immune system while traveling like zinc, A, D, E, B6, B12, and B2. Overall, they’re great for repairing and building muscles, which you may need on your travel adventures!

Typical Snacks for International Flights

Now that we got lesser-known snacks to bring on a plane out of the way, let’s check out the “normal” healthy vegetarian food to carry while traveling abroad.

Perishable Healthy Snacks for Airplane Travel

Perishable snacks are ones that need to be consumed at the airport or on the plane as they might go bad by the time you land.

• Cut up vegetables with hummus*
• Greek yogurt* with fruit
• Quinoa salad
• Egg salad sandwich
• Applesauce*

*These count as liquids so keep the packaging under 100ML.

Non-Perishable Healthy Snacks for Airplane Travel

Non-perishable snacks have longer staying power and can be consumed throughout your whole trip as long as you don’t squash them in your bag and keep them air-tight.

• Nuts (Note: you may not be able to eat certain nuts on a flight if someone has a severe allergy.)
• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds
• Dried fruit
• Roasted seaweed
• Roasted chickpeas
• Popcorn or popcorn chips
• Whole grain crackers

Got anymore suggestions for healthy vegetarian food to carry while traveling abroad?

Please let me know by commenting below! I’m always up for healthy snacks for flying because once I land, I’m at 100 restaurants eating way too much.

I hope you found this post to be helpful.

Thanks for stopping by! xo.

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Three Links

Wednesday 20th of January 2021

Not only are these foods healthy, but are also fulfilling and filling. Many thanks!

Monday 11th of November 2019

Great suggestions and I always have a snack on me when traveling. Would defo have the WOLO snack bars on me but now as I sit in my office at my boring day job, I fancy an avocado for lunch! :D

Saturday 16th of February 2019

These are great suggestions! I always try to bring a snack when traveling so I will add some of the ideas you recommended.

mitchellglass2

Saturday 9th of February 2019

Avocado is brilliant! Those things are so filling! There's nothing worse than a long travel day without the proper snacks packed—especially with outrageous food prices at some airports. Useful tip: if you don't mind eating the airline food and are extra hungry, the airline attendant will usually give you an extra plate if you ask nicely :-)

Friday 7th of September 2018

Ok I thought the Avocado was a bit crazy, but I think you've convinced me! Thanks for all these great tips!

Sunday 9th of September 2018

Haha I love bringing avocados when I travel to help me with dehydration! Enjoy.

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• October 23, 2021
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Do you know food is always associated with happiness? Whether you’re travelling to a different or just another street, you’re bound to look a delicious cuisine. It is often a complaint by regular airline travellers who always look for something palatable on the menu while flying to places. Now, it’s a possibility with different airlines of India. Every changing demand by the travellers has encouraged the airlines to offer mouth-watering and affordable meals in the journey. Some of the key airline companies in India have also considered health benefits, special diabetic travellers as well as customized needs of travellers to provide an uncompromising experience. Here are the 5 Best Airline meals in India.

Vistara is an Indian airline and travellers often like the delicious meals at Vistara. It offers a wide range of food options ranging from vegetarian to non-vegetarian. Are you still wondering which airline has the best meal? It is undoubtedly Vistara! Business-class enjoys a 3-course meal curated with health benefits and taste buds of travellers. Travellers in Premium economy class can savour on the vegetarian or non-vegetarian main course preceding by salad. Depending upon the duration, travellers might have an option to choose different snacks. 

What’s more? You can sip on your Starbucks as you watch the beautiful sky above you! World’s high-quality Arabica coffee is something that attracts travellers the most. The airline also provides a facility for booking special meals before boarding.

Pondering about which Indian Airlines provide free food? The answer is Air India! Air India provides complimentary refreshments or meals on all flights operated by the airline. They believe in bringing together the culture, heritage, cuisine and rich tradition of India on your plate. With this vision, they serve Vegetarian, Non-vegetarian, Jain, Vegan , Kosher and Moslem Meals. There are special meals catered for medical and dietary concerns including bland meals, diabetic and gluten-free meals, Lacto-Ovo , Low calorie and low-fat meals and a plethora of options to choose from. Specifically designed meals are available for children and babies. You can also opt for a healthy fruit platter with a fusion of seasonal fruits.

IndiGo has gained popularity among Indian travellers due to its budget-friendly air travel. While you seek the airlines of India for the best of meals, IndiGo also comes on the list. IndiGo accepts different payment options for meals and doesn’t provide any complimentary meals in-flight. They however have the facility of pre-booking the meal or viewing their delicious onboard menu. 

You can choose from a variety of options in vegetarian and non-vegetarian categories. The airline offers different types of sandwiches, salads, festival special dishes and healthy snacks. Keeping the Indian taste in mind, the airline offers Upma, Biryani, Poha, Vadapav, Sabudana Khichdi and even healthy breakfast options. They also offer a wide range of beverages, nuts and teas. Food options are relatively affordable with this airline.

We guess you are a foodie, Check out https://indiachalk.com/blog/must-have-delicacies-during-durga-puja/

Jet Airways

You cannot compare Vistara with Jet Airways however you may find a suitable option for your meal with Jet Airways. They cater to Indian cuisine like Masala Dosa and cheese omelette. With its wide range in food and drinks, this airline offers Diabetic meals, Low Sodium and Low-Calorie meals, Low Protein Meal as well as Non-Lactose meals. You can opt for vegetarian or non-vegetarian food depending upon your taste preferences. Feel heavy already? You can try sandwiches, puffed or light snacks. If you choose your meal while booking tickets, they’re likely to serve your desirable meal.

SpiceJet is considered to be a low-cost airline operating with its headquarters in Haryana. This is yet another fabulous airline where food meals can be a great delight to your flying experience. They have different Domestic and International food menus depending upon the duration of flights. Scrumptious options are sandwiches are available in this airline. If you look at the rates, they’re comparably lower than other airlines. With options in vegetarian and non-vegetarian, the menu ranges from light snacks to heavy meals. 

Cookies and Cornitos are generally favoured by frequent travellers. What’s special? Ready-to-eat food packages of Poha, Upma, Chicken and Noodles are made available for travellers. They offer beverages ranging from tasty juices, soft drinks, milkshakes to healthy teas. SpiceJet offers palatable treats from reputable brands including Venky’s, Karim’s, Continental, Real and Chaayos.

Best Airline meals in India are just waiting for you to experience the mouth-watering cuisine as you watch the open sky in the air.

Also follow India Chalk on Instagram for more amazing travel content. You can share your travel story with us. Reach out to us on email at contact[at]ndiachalk[dot]com. This blog is curated by India Chalk and written by Riya Jogi.

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10 Healthy Indian Food Options For Train Travel: A Guide

Train travel can be an exciting and adventurous way to explore India. However, finding healthy food options during the journey can be challenging, especially for health-conscious people or following a specific diet.

Fortunately, there are several healthy Indian meal food options that you can pack for your train journey. From fresh fruits and vegetables to low-fat snacks and protein-rich taste foods, plenty of choices can keep you nourished and energized throughout your train ride.

Whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, good food is essential. But choosing the right food can be tricky when travelling – what’s healthy and easy to transport when travelling by train? To simplify things, we’ve compiled a list of our top 10 healthy Indian food options for train travel.

From simple snacks to full-blown combo meals, we’ll show you every option. These recipes are easy to follow and will leave you satisfied and contented long after your journey. So whether you’re travelling long-distance or simply taking a quick trip, pack some of our recipes.

Table of Contents

Basic Preparation Tips Before Travelling With Food

When train travel, preparation is key – especially when bringing your own food. If you’re planning on packing healthy Indian food options for your journey will be the best idea. When travelling by train, it can be challenging to find healthy Indian delicacy food variety of options. To make sure you have a nutritious food meal while on the go, there are some basic preparation tips you can follow before leaving home.

• Ensure all food is properly stored and packed using secure, disposable containers or bags.
• Be mindful of temperature-sensitive items like dairy products or perishable foods.
• Bring a small cooler or insulated bag to keep these items fresh during the journey.
• Don’t forget to pack utensils and napkins.
• Take the time to prepare properly for a delicious meal and healthy meal while travelling by train

10 Healthy Indian Food Options For Train Travel

Train travel can be a wonderful way to explore India, but finding healthy and authentic Indian options for food can be challenging. However, with some research and planning, enjoying delicious taste and nutritious meals while on the go is possible.

Some popular options include dal (lentil soup), chana masala (spicy chickpea curry), and vegetable biryani (a flavorful rice dish). However, When trains travel in India, finding healthy food options can be challenging. However, there are plenty of authentic Indian dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Here are 10 healthy Indian food options for train travel:

If you’re looking for tasty food and healthy travel snacks, try Vada Pav. This dish typically comprises chickpeas or lentils in an Indian spices-laden gravy and can be enjoyed as a snack or meal replacement. Pack some snacks with you to make the most of your train journey; this way, you can stay energized during long stretches.

And suppose Indian food isn’t your thing. In that case, there are plenty of other options available on trains, such as dal makhani (a thick Indian curry), chole bhatura (a mixture of curried potatoes and spices), and Thukka masala (spicy food tomato-based sauce).

2.Sambar Rice

Sambar is a popular South Indian dish you can enjoy as a hot midday meal or a starter. Usually, sambar rice from basmati rice, spices, and lentils,  served with various accompaniments such as chutney, dal (lentil soup), or poppadoms (dumplings) are delicious.

When travelling by train, it’s easy to make sambar rice at home – bring the ingredients in your luggage. This way, you’ll have something delicious and hearty to eat on long train journeys.

3.Dum Aloo Gobi

If you’re looking for a healthy and tasty option when travelling on Indian trains, Dum Aloo Gobi is a great choice. This dish comes with potatoes, cauliflower, and a blend of spices that give it a delicious flavor without being too heavy or greasy. It is also vegetarian, making it a perfect choice for those who follow a plant-based diet.

To ensure you get this dish’s freshest and healthiest version, look for vendors that prepare their food on-site and avoid pre-packaged options. With its balance of flavor and nutrition, Dum Aloo Gobi will satisfy your hunger while keeping you feeling good during your train journey.

4.Dal Makhni

Dal makhani is one of the most popular dishes in Indian cuisine, and for a good reason – it’s delicious. You can make Dal makhani in various ways, but the most common way is as a soup or curry. It’s also an excellent omelette filling. When preparing dal makhani, use high-quality ingredients with protein and fiber.

This will help you stay energized on long journeys. Snacks such as this dish are perfect. Pack some healthy fruit, too, so you don’t get bored during your travel time.

Regarding healthy Indian food options for train travel, Khichdi is a popular choice. This simple dish is made from rice and lentils and is packed with protein and fiber. It is also easy to digest, making it an excellent option for those who may experience digestive issues while travelling. Junk food is often associated with unhealthy eating habits and can have negative effects on one’s health.

Additionally, Khichdi can be customized to suit different tastes by adding spices or vegetables. Some people even consider it a comfort food, as it can provide a sense of home-cooked goodness while on the go.

6.Aaloo Tikki

Regarding healthy Indian food options for train-travel, Aaloo Tikki is a popular choice. Made from mashed potatoes and various spices, this tasty snack is delicious and nutritious. It is a great source of carbohydrates, which can provide the energy needed for a long journey.

Additionally, Aaloo Tikki can be customized to suit different dietary needs. It can come without animal products for those who are vegetarian or vegan. It can also come with gluten-free using alternative binding agents such as chickpea flour. Overall, Aaloo Tikki is a healthy and versatile option for those looking for tasty snacks on their train journey in India.

Samosas are a popular Indian snack that can be a healthy option for train travel. These triangular pastries are usually filled with a variety of ingredients, such as potatoes, peas, and spices. When choosing samosas for your train journey, look for ones baked instead of fried to reduce the amount of oil and calories. You can also pair them with fresh fruit or yoghurt to add nutritional value to your meal. 

8.Veg Biryani

If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious option for train travel in India, look no further than veg biryani. This popular dish is made with fragrant basmati rice, onions, peas, carrots, and a blend of flavorful spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.

Not only is it vegetarian-friendly, but it’s also a great source of protein thanks to the addition of lentils or chickpeas. Plus, the combination of complex carbohydrates from the rice and fiber from the veggies makes for a filling and satisfying meal that energizes you throughout your journey.

9.Pudina Baingan Bharta

Pudina baingan bharta is a dish that combines India’s spices and flavors with the egg’s richness. We can serve it in a creamy sauce made from paneer, fresh cheese, and onion.

This meal can be enjoyed as part of the main course or as a side dish and is perfect for those who want something hearty but not too heavy to eat on long train trips. So there you have it – some delicious Indian food options perfect for train travel. Whether you’re looking for something savory or sweet, these dishes will happily sate you.

10.Masala Dosa

Regarding healthy Indian food options for train-travel, masala dosa is a great choice. This South Indian dish consists of crispy rice and lentil crepe filled with spiced potato. It is typically served with coconut chutney and sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew.

Not only is masala dosa delicious and satisfying, but it is also a relatively healthy option compared to other train food choices. It is low in fat and calories, high in protein and fiber, and contains a variety of spices that have been shown to have health benefits.

How To Pack Healthy Indian Food For Train Travel

When packing your food for train travel, you want to make sure that you pack healthy and tasty Indian food that will keep you full and satisfied during your journey. Train travel can be a great way to explore India’s diverse landscapes and cultures, but it can be challenging to find healthy food options while on the go.

Packing your own healthy Indian food can ensure that you have nutritious meals throughout your journey. Here are some tips for packing healthy Indian food for train travel:

• Opt for Homemade Meals: Homemade meals are generally healthier than pre-packaged foods or restaurant meals. Prepare dishes like chapati, dal, or sabzi at home and pack them in containers.
• Use Insulated Containers: Insulated containers will help keep your food fresh and prevent spoilage during long train journeys.
• Pack Fruits and Vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. Pack fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, and cut vegetables like carrots or cucumbers for snacking.
• Avoid Fried or Processed Foods: Fried or processed foods may be tempting, but they are often high in calories and lacking nutrients. Instead, choose whole foods that are nutrient-dense and low in calories.

Healthy Indian Food To Order In Trains

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining good health is of utmost importance. However, it can often be challenging to make healthy choices, especially when it comes to food options while travelling. Fortunately, Indian cuisine offers a plethora of delicious and nutritious dishes that can be ordered on trains, ensuring a satisfying and wholesome meal on the go. Indian railways offer a wide range of healthy food options for train travel.

• Opt for dishes that are low in oil and spices.
• Choose whole grain options like brown rice or whole wheat bread.
• Include protein-rich dishes like lentils, chickpeas, or grilled chicken.
• Select vegetable-based curries or stir-fried vegetables for added nutrition.
• Request for salads or fresh fruit to include in your meal.
• Avoid deep-fried snacks or heavily processed foods.
• Drink plenty of water or opt for fresh fruit juices instead of sugary beverages.
• Consider ordering yoghurt or buttermilk for a probiotic boost.
• Check for options with less added salt or request for reduced salt in your meal.
• Lastly, ensure the food is prepared hygienically and properly packed for a safe journey.

How To Order Food In Train?

It is important to plan ahead and decide on the type of cuisine you desire. Many train operators now offer a wide range of options, catering to various dietary preferences and restrictions. Whether you crave traditional Indian dishes or prefer international flavours, there is something for everyone. A complete meal is essential for a fulfilling train journey.

You can choose to order food through the train’s pantry or opt for a reliable online payment food delivery service specifically designed for train passengers. These platforms provide a seamless experience, allowing you to browse through menus and select your preferred dishes.

When placing your order, be sure to provide accurate details such as your train number, coach and seat number, and the railway station where you want your food on the train to be delivered. It is essential to double-check this information to avoid any confusion or delays in receiving your meal.

Healthy Foods Found At Train Stations While Travelling

Regarding travelling, finding healthy food options can be a challenge, especially when you are at a train station. Hygienic food is essential for maintaining good health, especially while travelling by train.

However, with the growing emphasis on overall well-being, many train stations now offer a variety of healthy food choices for travellers. These options not only cater to health-conscious individuals but also provide a convenient and nutritious alternative for those looking to maintain a balanced diet while on the go.

• Fresh fruit options: apples, bananas, oranges
• Vegetable snacks: carrot sticks, celery, cherry tomatoes
• Salads and salad bars with various toppings and dressings
• Yogurt cups or Greek yoghurt for protein
• Whole grain sandwiches or wraps with lean protein options
• Nuts and mustard seeds for healthy fats and protein
• Hardboiled eggs for quick protein
• Bottled water or unsweetened beverages for hydration
• Granola bars or energy bars made with natural ingredients
• Smoothies or fruit juices made with real fruit, no added sugars.

Incorporating healthy Indian food options into your train travel journey can not only provide you with delicious and satisfying meals but also contribute to your overall well-being. Many healthy Indian food options for train travel can help you stay on track with your dietary goals. From simple snacks like roasted chana and dry fruits to more substantial meals like dal khichdi and vegetable curry, there are plenty of tasty options available.

With a wide variety of regional cuisines and dishes available, there are plenty of options to choose from that will cater to your dietary needs and preferences. Planning ahead and researching the different food vendors available at your train station is important to ensure that you are getting the best possible meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which indian food is best for travel.

Some popular choices include samosas, which are deep-fried pastries filled with spiced potatoes and peas, or pakoras, which are batter-fried vegetables.

What Food To Take On A Coach Trip?

Opt for easily portable snacks like granola bars, fruit, and nuts. Pack sandwiches or wraps with fillings that won’t spoil quickly, such as cheese, ham, or peanut butter. Avoid messy or odorous foods that may bother others on the couch.

What Not To Eat Before A Long Ride?

Before a long ride, it is best to avoid foods that are high in fat, fibre, and spices. These types of foods can cause digestive issues and discomfort during the ride.

What Foods Are Easy To Eat While Traveling?

Foods that are easy to eat while travelling include pre-packaged snacks like granola bars, nuts, and dried fruits, as well as fresh fruits like apples and bananas that don’t require any preparation.

What Is A Cheap Healthy Food While Traveling?

A cheap and healthy food option while travelling is fruits and vegetables. They are usually widely available, relatively inexpensive, and packed with essential nutrients.

Michael C. Herrera

I’m a travel blogger with a focus on safety. I’ve been to all seven continents, and I love sharing my tips for staying safe while traveling. I also have a lot of experience with travel hacking and finding the best deals on airfare and hotels. My blog features reviews of restaurants, hotels, and attractions around the world.

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Some men like hitting it  raw  — the friendly skies, that it. 

“Raw-dogging” has become the buzziest travel trend of the summer, seeing stealth plane passengers forgo the modern comforts of flying to stare at either the in-flight map or nothing at all during lengthy trips. 

No music, no streaming, no snacking, no sleep. 

“I have never seen so many people raw-dogging a flight in my life,” wrote Michelle , a stunned New York-based beauty influencer, in the closed-caption of a TikTok clip. 

“Literally just staring straight ahead the entire time?” she added in the video, featuring an aircraft full of jet-setters enjoying a journey sans distractions. “This was a 5-HOUR flight from NYC to [San Francisco].” 

The anti-indulgence phenomenon has been loosely credited to Idris Elba’s character, Sam Nelson, on the Apple TV+ series “Hijacked.” 

In the seven-episode anthology, the heartthrob-turned-hero, 50, is forced to endure the more than seven-hour flight from Dubai to London without any amenities once his airbus becomes commandeered by crooks. 

Unlike other skyway hacks that put freaked-out flyers at ease, such as “going over the alpha bridge” — a sleeping trick that helps the nervous knock out while up 30,000 feet in the air — raw-dogging is all about pushing oneself to their mental and physical limits. 

“Just raw-dogged a 7-hour flight (new personal best),” Wudini, a UK DJ, bragged to his over 13.2 million TikTok viewers . “No headphones, no movie, no water, nothing.”

“Incredible,” he added. “The power of my mind knows no bounds.”

Australian musician Torren Foot, too, celebrated his fun-free, 15-hour jaunt to Los Angeles in a viral raw-dogging vid. He memorialized the flight as the longest trip he’s taken without rest or entertainment. 

“No music, no movies,” wrote Foot, “just the flight map.”

Westy, a London-based content creator, also completed the mile-high feat . He took to social media to boast about the accomplishment to his nearly 2 million impressed online onlookers.

But the blank-stare boredom isn’t just for the boys. 

@therealjohannariehm Am I the only one? 🤪 #momsoftiktok #momtok #momsbelike #momlife #travel #airplanemode #airplane #travelhumor #traveltiktok #comedy #momsover30 #millennials #bookaflight #traveltok ♬ love on the brain sped up – xxtristanxo

Moms looking for a little peace and quiet like Johanna Riehm, 34, are, too, cruising the clouds in sweet soundlessness. 

“My beige flag is that I like to raw dog flights,” the New Yorker penned in a post , showing herself monitoring the plane’s departure from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Caribbean. 

“I sit there in silence with my thoughts and just watch the little GPS plane.”

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The Fascinating History Of Airplane Food

I f you know anything about airline food, it probably isn't good. In-flight cuisine has been the butt of so many jokes that it's become hacky. With such a negative reputation, there is little appeal to today's travelers, and airlines aren't doing themselves any favors. In-flight meals options have dwindled significantly in the 21st century to the point where most flights don't even offer them at all. It's a sad fall from grace for airline dining, which, as hard as it may be to believe, was once considered quite formal affairs.

The very first in-flight meal was served on October 11, 1919 to passengers on a Handley Page Transport flight from London to Paris. This was just as commercial airline travel was starting to take off (pun intended) in light of advances in aviation made during WWI. At that time, airplane engines were weaker and the craft couldn't carry much weight, so there was no chance of installing a kitchen space or systems for heating food. The first airline meal was a cold boxed lunch, and it cost passengers three shillings (around $10 in today's money).

Those early days of in-flight eating were tough. Airplanes of that era were so shaky that passengers had to eat off paper plates: ceramic plates and glassware would tumble around and shatter if the plane hit turbulence. Cold meals were the only option for over a decade before United Airlines made a move that changed everything.

Read more: How Restaurant Steak Tricks Your Tastebuds

The Golden Age Of In-Flight Dining

In 1936, United Airlines installed the very first airplane kitchen. Finally, travelers could enjoy hot beverages and meals, although originally, United offered only two options: fried chicken and scrambled eggs. In the 1940s, airlines began producing frozen meals that could be reheated onboard planes. This development would go on to inspire the invention of TV dinners , and it ushered in a new era of air travel.

Aviation's golden age stretched from the 1950s to the 1960s, marking a time when flights were treated as glamorous events. Air travel was still mostly reserved for the wealthy, offering spacious cabins, comfortable seats, and cocktails. In-flight meals in the golden age were modeled on fine-dining restaurants. There were multiple courses, featuring meats carved seat-side from trolleys.

No airline emphasized luxury dining more than Pan Am. In the 1950s, they operated a fleet of seaplanes called "Clippers". These massive planes had dining rooms where passengers ate off china plates. Many of the menu offerings were inspired by French bistros, with dishes like Boeuf Bourgeois and Pommes Anna. There were also expansive cocktail menus. Meal services were intentionally elaborate in order to save passengers from boredom in the era before in-flight televisions and portable media players. Best of all, these meals were free, included with the price of each ticket. Dining service was a major selling point for airlines, but today, it's the opposite.

Why Airplane Food Is On The Decline

Airplane food has steeply declined since the golden age of flying, thanks to a few factors. For decades, the U.S. government mandated that every airline provide passengers with a meal included in the price of their ticket. That drastically changed in 1978 when the U.S. airline industry was deregulated, and the companies began calling their own shots. Complimentary meals became a thing of the past, since airlines can now earn extra money on food while avoiding the federal tax on ticket fares.

Like the rest of the aviation industry, in-flight dining was also forever changed by the September 11 attacks in 2001. In the aftermath, few people were willing to fly, and the airline industry cut costs wherever possible to make up for their financial losses. Most airlines outright eliminated their meal services, and more than two decades later, they haven't returned to their former selves. Today's airlines have little financial incentive to offer meals services, except to appeal to first class and business class travelers.

On top of all this, there's a fundamental issue with airplanes and food. The climate of a plane dulls your sense of taste, which is why first-class flyers are wasting good wine . A big part of the early appeal of airline food wasn't the food itself, but the idea that air travel was exciting and luxurious, an attitude that we've long lost. With reports emerging that airplane coffee might be unsanitary , amongst myriad other complaints, the public attitude towards airline food is now firmly in the negative.

Read the original article on Chowhound .

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This Major U.S. Airport Just Opened a Plane-spotting Area Complete with a Playground and Food Trucks — Airline Ticket Not Required

The 600,000-square-foot overlook area is free and open to the public.

Courtesy of Charlotte Douglas International Airport

There’s a new way to spot planes without having to go through security in North Carolina thanks to a 600,000-square-foot overlook area that just opened. 

The lookout deck, which opened less than two miles from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), is free and open to the public, offering views over the airfield, skyline, and terminal, according to the airport . And it features some really cool aircraft-themed amenities to excite the whole family.

“The Airport knows how important the Overlook is to the local community and we worked diligently to create a place that people of all ages will enjoy,” CLT Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine said in a statement. “This space showcases many displays and features that will educate, inspire and create lasting memories.”

In addition to plane spotting, the deck features an airport-themed playground complete with a mini air traffic control tower with a slide and a plane-shaped climbing structure, along with a displayed retired U.S. military fighter jet and “informative exhibits” detailing aviation history in the Carolinas, including the types of planes that use the airport, the science behind a Boeing 747 aircraft, and how runways are built and named. And if plane spotters get hungry, there’s a food truck area and covered picnic tables.

On a more somber note, the site features a memorial to USAir Flight 1016, which crashed into a private home while trying to land at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 1994, resulting in the deaths of 37 passengers, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

This permanent lookout replaces a temporary one that was put in place after the last overlook closed in 2022 due to airport construction.

The new overlook also features accessible parking, bicycle racks, restrooms with baby changing stations, and pet relief areas so the whole family can enjoy.

This isn’t the only new thing coming to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport this year: the airport will also get its first Delta Sky Club lounge by the end of 2024.

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2024 KN1: Plane-Sized Asteroid To Zoom Past Earth Today. What NASA Said

This celestial visitor named 2024 kn1, the size of an 88-foot aeroplane, is travelling at a speed of approximately 16,500 kilometres per hour..

. It will pass safely at a distance of 5.6 million km.

Asteroids approaching Earth always make headlines because a collision with one could result in a massive disaster for human life. Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's  Jet Propulsion Laboratory , alerted about a plane-sized asteroid that is expected to make its closest approach to Earth today.

This celestial visitor named 2024 KN1, the size of an 88-foot aeroplane, is travelling at a speed of approximately 16,500 kilometres per hour. It belongs to the Amor group and will make its closest approach to Earth on June 23, 2024, at 11:39 PM IST.

However, there is nothing to worry about as NASA has classified it as non-threatening, emphasising that its trajectory will keep it at a safe distance from Earth, eliminating any risk of impact. It will pass safely at a distance of 5.6 million km.

Some 30,000 asteroids of all sizes -- including more than 850 larger than a kilometre wide -- have been catalogued in the vicinity of the Earth, earning them the label "Near Earth Objects" (NEOs). None of them threatens the Earth for the next 100 years. NASA also closely monitors a small subset of asteroids known as potentially hazardous asteroids, which have orbits that could bring them closer to Earth, posing a potential impact risk.

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Notably,  NASA's dashboard tracks asteroids and comets that will make relatively close approaches to Earth. The dashboard displays the date of the closest approach, approximate object diameter, relative size and distance from Earth for each encounter. It tracks asteroids that are within 7.5 million kilometres of Earth.

According to NASA, asteroids are left over from the formation of our solar system. Not all asteroids are the same size and shape. Because asteroids are formed in different locations at different distances from the sun, no two asteroids are alike. Asteroids aren't all around like planets and have jagged and irregular shapes. Most asteroids are made of different kinds of rocks, but some have clays or metals, such as nickel and iron.

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