Flight attendant tells all: The reason to avoid eating on the plane

Let’s face it: plane food gets a pretty bad wrap. It always has. It may have come a long way (depending who you ask) but it’s still pretty awful and, at best, plain.

According to flight attendant Celia Bedding, there is a health reason to avoid eating aeroplane food altogether.

It’s not just because the bread rolls may taste stale or the scrambled eggs have a powdery texture, says Ms Bedding.

So, why should you avoid eating on the plane?

In an interview with Express, Ms Bedding explained that plane meals should be avoided as much as possible because of their high salt content.

The cabin pressure causes passengers to lose around 30 per cent of their tastebuds, so airline food companies add extra salt to compensate and enhance the flavour at 40,000 feet. This excess sodium can be detrimental to health, especially when flying.

She also advises against drinking tap water on board as it is not sanitary for drinking.

“For any passengers out there, whether you are a frequent flyer, an occasional flyer, a seasonal flyer or will be a first-time flyer soon, I would like to say to you: NEVER drink tap water from the plane bathroom,” says Ms Bedding.

Many flyers may think this is a ploy to get passengers to buy drinks, but it is actually for their own health. Ms Bedding urges passengers to never drink tap water from the bathroom. I have never met a single person who has, but in case you were tempted …

To make healthier choices, Ms Bedding suggests bring along a salad or fruit with low or no salt. This is all well and good so long as you eat it before you land, as some destinations won’t let you in with these foods.

She also says you should do your best to stay hydrated before, during, and after the flight. These tips can help passengers maintain their health while traveling.

In my opinion, there are always potential risks associated with airline food. I have to be really hungry to eat the meals but often happily accept the packaged snacks. If you have to eat, steer clear of the foods I’ve listed in this article.

Being cautious of what is consumed during flights can contribute to a more enjoyable and healthier travel experience. No-one wants to land with a crook tummy. You’re better off risking that on the tasty-looking fare from street food vendors.

What do you think of airline food? Do you avoid eating on the plane? What was airline food like ‘back in the day’? Why not share your thoughts in the comments section below?

Also read: Can you buy COVID travel insurance?

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The person writing the article might be too young to remember but plane food has certainly not “come a long way” if by that she means improving. Its gone downhill big time since the 70s. I still have the printed menus somewhere from my first flights. I thought it was like eating in a restaurant not that I’d had much experience of restaurants at 18. The cutlery was metal with the name of the airline engraved on it, the food was on plates not little boxes with compartments and the food was beautifully prepared.

That experince I just mentioned, for those interested/ wondering,, was on Japan airlines, and British Airways

I think Carmel must have been travelling Business class, because that is how your food is served up in Business class, I know that from experience, with metal knives and forks , and I agree with the menu observation.