02/10/97 Airport Food Choices

Airport Food Choices

CHICAGO, February 10, 1997

Nation's nutrition experts examine airport food choices

Most Americans should have little trouble selecting healthful food options in the nation's busiest airports, according to The American Dietetic Association (ADA), which examined food selections available in 28 major airports across the country. ADA says airport food selections have improved since the group conducted a similar survey with USA Today in 1994, as the variety of food selections has expanded.

In fact, of the airports evaluated, all offered fresh fruit and fruit juices, and nearly all had bagels, pretzels, salads and low-fat or non-fat yogurt. However, skim milk was not readily available at 11 of the 28 airports (40 percent) reviewed and only 15 had reduced or low-fat muffins.

"We were pleased that with a little effort, we could find a wide selection of healthful food choices in most airports," said ADA spokesperson Cathy Kapica, Ph.D., R.D. (registered dietitian), Arlington Heights, Ill.

"However, we were surprised and disappointed that skim milk was not found in all the airports we examined," continued Kapica. "With air travel a routine part of so many people's lives, we had hoped it would have been available everywhere."

An estimated 550 million passengers enplane from the United States' airports each year. In addition, more than 500,000 people are employed by domestic airlines and airports.

ADA's evaluation also found the following:

Twenty-four of the airports evaluated have nationally recognized fast-food restaurants.

Eleven have vending services available, of which nine offer only beverages such as sodas, coffee and tea.

Eleven had salad bars, and three of those surveyed offer "make-your-own" meals, including a pasta bar in San Francisco, custom made sandwiches at Chicago's O'Hare and a small restaurant where travelers can request made-to-order pasta dishes in Philadelphia.

Following a national foodservice trend, twenty-two had specialty coffee shops, of which eighteen sold desserts, many high in fat and calories.

About a third of those surveyed (9) connect directly to other facilities that may offer food, such as hotels.

A few airports, including Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Cleveland Hopkins have special play areas for kids to burn energy while waiting.

"Go for a walk and explore your options before choosing. It might prevent you from grabbing the first foods you see or smell," explained Kapica. "There are healthful choices available, but you have to look for them. You'll enjoy the walk before or after sitting on the plane, and you can also reap the benefits walking provides."

For example, a traveler walking from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest, would travel approximately a mile and a quarter, and burn approximately 150 calories in the process.

Founded in 1917, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Its 70,000 members serve the public through the promotion of optimal nutrition, health and well-being.

The following airports were evaluated:

Atlanta Hartsfield International
Baltimore/Washington International
Boston Logan International
Chicago Midway
Chicago O'Hare International
Cleveland Hopkins International
Dallas/Ft. Worth International
Denver International
Detroit Metro Int'l Airport
Houston Intercontinental
Indianapolis International
John Wayne Airport, Irvine, Calif.
Los Angeles International
Miami International
Milwaukee Mitchell International
Minneapolis/St. Paul International
Newark International, Newark, NJ
New York Kennedy International
New York LaGuardia
Philadelphia International
Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Pittsburgh International
St. Louis Lambert International
San Diego International
San Francisco International
Seattle/Tacoma International
Tampa International
Washington National