Can I Bring My Own Food on a Plane? 🤷♀️
- Sep 27, 2024
- 3 min read
Did You Know You Can Bring Food Through Airport Security? Here’s How! ✈️
My whole life, I thought you couldn’t bring food through airport security. And honestly, everyone I’ve talked to seems to believe the same thing—that no food could make it past security, let alone onto the plane. It’s like we’ve all been living under this false impression that no food whatsoever is allowed when you fly!
But guess what? That's actually not the case! You can bring a whole meal through security and onto your flight—no more settling for the less-than-ideal (and often overpriced) food options at the airport and on the plane!
So, What’s the Deal? Let’s Break It Down.
Yes, You Can Bring Food on the Plane! 🎉
That’s right! You can bring your own food through airport security, as long as it doesn't fall into the liquids or gels category. This opens up a whole world of possibilities for healthier, fresher, and more satisfying meals during your journey. Gone are the days of relying on seed oil-laden sandwiches, sad, soggy fruits, or mystery-meat airplane meals! 🚫🍕
What’s Allowed?
Almost everything!Pretty much anything that’s solid! You can pack a steak, a wrap, a salad, fruit, veggies—whatever you’d normally eat. You know those times you’re trying to eat healthier but end up with a bag of Pringles because that’s all the airport store had? Not anymore! Just bring your own stuff.
Want some ideas? Here are a few options:
Fresh fruit like apples, bananas, or grapes 🍏🍌
Sliced veggies 🥕
Wraps or sandwiches 🥪
Cheese and crackers 🧀
Hard-boiled eggs 🥚
Trail mix and nuts 🌰

My go-to's" are:
Fruit, Grass fed cheese, Veggies, Nuts and Beef Biltong 🤩
I've even brought steak and broccoli with me before! It really depends on the length of my flight and the timing!
What’s Not Allowed?
Okay, there is one catch to all of this: You can’t bring anything that falls under the "liquids and gels" rule. 🚫💧
So while you can bring your own food, you’ll need to be mindful of a few things that aren't allowed unless they’re in really small quantities (under 3.4 ounces). Here’s a quick rundown of what you can’t bring through security:
Canned Food: Anything in a can is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule, so unless it's a tiny can, it’s probably not going to make it through.
Liquids: This includes olive oil, special cooking oils, vinegars, and honey. Basically, if you can pour it, it’s going to be considered a liquid.
Creamy or Spreadable Items: Things like salsa, creamy cheese, dips, peanut butter, jams, and preserves—anything spreadable needs to follow the liquid rules.
Liquid Food: Yogurt, gravy, and other foods that are more on the liquid side won’t make it through if they’re over 3.4 ounces.
So while you can bring a ton of solid food options, just be careful with anything liquid, creamy, or spreadable. Stick to dry or solid snacks, and you’re all set! 🎒
Side note: Definitely check the regulations of your flight before you fly just to be sure, as there will be some other categories of food that are off-limits! Double-checking is always the best thing to do!
Why Should You Bring Your Own Food?
Airport and airplane food, let’s be real, isn’t always the best option. It’s often loaded with preservatives, additives, seed oils, artificial colours and sweeteners, emulsifiers, and who-knows-what else. Plus, it's expensive!
Bringing your own food gives you control over what you're eating, saves you money, and helps you avoid those hunger pangs when you’re mid-flight or contemplating whether that chicken-like looking curry is actually something else?!? 😬
By packing your own food, you can ensure you're eating fresh, healthy meals. It's especially great for anyone with dietary restrictions, allergies, or just a preference for home-cooked goodness. Plus, who doesn't love having their favourite snacks on
hand when those in-flight cravings hit? 🍿✨
Tips for Smooth Sailing
To make your food journey easier, here are a few tips:
Pack your food in clear, resealable containers so it's easy to show at security.
Avoid messy foods like sauces or foods that could leak in your bag.
Bring an empty water bottle and fill it up after you pass through security to stay hydrated without having to buy pricey bottled water.
So Next Time, Skip the Airport Food!
Now that you know the secret, you can enjoy healthier, tastier meals the next time you fly. Don’t feel pressured to buy that stale airport croissant or settle for a mystery meal at 30,000 feet. Bring your own delicious snacks, relax, and enjoy your journey! ✈️🍽️
Happy travels—and happy eating! 🌟
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