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Travel Health: Eating Well en Route
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Stuck at an airport? Find the healthiest food at these five chains
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BY HANNAH WALLACE | ILLUSTRATION BY JANICE NADEAU
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When the White House plants a kitchen garden, you know the farm-to-table movement has gone mainstream. But fresh produce and unprocessed whole foods are still rare at U.S. airports and road stops. So how do you choose wisely when the pickings are slim? Try these airport restaurants (and road stops, bottom) for the healthiest, freshest fare.
Au Bon Pain
Until British chain Pret à Manger opens at a U.S. airport, we still have Au Bon Pain, with 10 airport locations. This bakery/café is the go-to spot for creative salads (made with romaine lettuce or field greens), sandwiches on seven-grain bread, and a variety of sides under 200 calories, like cheddar or brie with fruit and crackers; and hummus and cucumber.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Got a layover at Washington Dulles International? Make a beeline for this spot in Concourse B, currently the chain’s only airport location. Chipotle sources its meat from sustainably minded farms such as Niman Ranch, and its produce (romaine lettuce, bell peppers, jalapeños, red onions) from local farmers whenever possible. The pork or chicken in your burrito is “naturally raised”—that is, not pumped full of antibiotics or synthetic hormones. Chairman and co-CEO Steve Ells plans to offer pasture-raised cheese and sour cream (from cows raised on grass, not corn) in all 860 restaurants by year’s end.
Cibo Express
If you’ve visited JFK or O’Hare (or one of six other hubs), you’ve likely stumbled upon Cibo Express. This chain of gourmet markets has a super selection of salads, sandwiches and healthy snacks: Odwalla juices, organic yogurt, dried fruit, nuts, hummus and carrot sticks. Cibo also carries unusual dishes such as red quinoa salad with currants and caramelized onions; brown rice sushi; and grilled veggie wraps with extra-virgin olive oil.
Legal Sea Foods
Boston-based restaurant Legal Sea Foods has four locations at Logan and a new one at Philadelphia Airport. Skip the fish-and-chips (and the curry-battered coconut shrimp); opt for an omega-3-packed fish such as salmon, tuna or swordfish—pan-seared or wood-grilled. Sides include brown or jasmine rice, green salads and seaweed salad; there’s also an extensive gluten-free menu.
Wolfgang Puck
The California pizza chain Wolfgang Puck has a sizable presence at nearly 30 U.S. airports. The menu makes use of seasonal, fresh produce—from local sources if possible. Try the roasted beet, goat cheese and orange salad, or the curried-chicken salad with apples, lettuce, avocado and toasted pecans.
ROAD TRIP
You didn’t pack a lunch and
now you’re starving. What do
you eat at a highway rest stop?
It’s hard to avoid McDonald’s
on the road. Choose the Southwest
Salad with grilled chicken; it’s low
in fat (9 grams) and carbs (30 grams).
Chick-fil-A’s Southwest
Chargrilled Chicken Salad
comes with cherry tomatoes,
Monterey Jack cheese and
roast-corn and black-bean relish.
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
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Published: Fall 2010 Issue
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