Guidelines For Food On The Plane
This week we are talking about food on the plane. This question from Reader Kris A. prompted me to write about what food items are permitted on the plane.
“I was just trying to figure out how to keep yogurt cold. We can’t bring those ice packs on the plane anymore, right? Can I even bring yogurt?”
Answer:
They consider yogurt a liquid, so it’s not allowed. Two ways you could bring yogurt: in a 3.4 oz or less container within your quart-sized liquids bag. (You could get those refillable squeeze pouches.) Or you could freeze yogurt sticks (like Go-Gurt) and bring them frozen. Ice packs are usually allowed as long as their frozen. You could also freeze grapes and use those as an ice pack and a later cool treat.
TIP: If you pack frozen liquids, like yogurt and ice packs, they must be completely frozen when you pass through TSA security checkpoints. If they are slushy or in liquid form they must comply with the 3-1-1 rule for liquids in carry-on bags. Details about how to pack frozen foods can be found here.
Things to Know About Food on the Plane
- Liquid or gel foods are not permitted through TSA checkpoints (examples: yogurt, pudding, peanut butter in a squishy pack, fruit squeezers, applesauce) unless they are in containers 3.4 oz or less and fit inside your permitted quart-sized bag. Separate this liquids bag at security for separate viewing in the x-ray machine.
- Exceptions to the above rule: a reasonable amount of baby food when traveling with baby or toddler, formula, breast milk. See this for guidelines on food and milk for babies.
- Once you pass through security, you may buy liquids or gels and bring them on the plane. Water, yogurt, etc. is allowed on the plane, just not allowed to be brought from home.
- If you are traveling to an international destination, be sure to look up the restrictions for that country. Often fresh fruit, meat, and open containers of food are not permitted.
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Ideas for Food to Pack
These are some of the things I usually pack for our flights.
- Sunbutter and Jelly sandwiches
- String Cheese or Babybel Cheese
- Granola bars
- Goldfish Crackers
- Lollipops
- Apple
- Grapes
- Green pepper
- Hard boiled egg (even though it’s stinky)
- Dry cereal
- Chocolate (for us a Hershey’s Kiss is a great meltdown diversion)
- Raisins
- Yogurt covered pretzels
- Cheese Sandwich Crackers
- Banana (keep it free from bruises using this Banana Saver)
- Power Bars
I always bring a water bottle for each child. I love the Camelback sports bottles because they don’t leak and the straw closes to keep it from touching germy surfaces. The Camelback straw also provides resistive sucking, which gives sensory input that calms our nervous system. Read here to find out other items that will help keep your child calm on a plane.
What are your favorite foods to pack for the flight? Have you ever had to give food up at security checkpoints?