10 TSA-Approved Snacks

You did it! You booked a trip to one of the many incredible destinations around the world. Onto the next step of your exciting getaway: planning the details. We plan the majority for you, but some aspects will be up to you, such as packing your bags. Keep on reading if you’d like expert tips to help you feel well-prepared prior to your next departure.

Whether this is a first-time trip that you’ve been saving for and dreaming of for years or you’re an avid traveler working your way through a bucket list, traveling to your destination is arguably the least-desirable part of it all. Between deciding what to pack to getting through airport security, the journey can sometimes be a bit of a hassle. While you may not have the time of your life during this stage of your trip, you can take steps to ensure it goes smoothly and quickly. The last thing we want is for you to arrive at your destination feeling drained and exhausted. That’s why as travel experts of nearly 50 years, we’re here to bring you the best tips and tricks to have a successful vacation. In this Holiday Travelers Tips blog series, we’ll be sharing our wealth of knowledge so you can have the exceptional travel experience you deserve.

We’re kicking the series off with something that will help you survive any flight: food. No one wants to find themselves 35,000 feet in the air with low blood sugar or a grumbling stomach. When flying, you’ll find that airline food options are limited. The food that is available is typically pricey and not your first choice, so save your money and your taste buds by packing tasty snacks of your own. Here are 10 of the best foods to keep your stomach and TSA happy:

1. Trail Mix
2. Beef Jerky
3. Cheese & Crackers
4. Veggies & Hummus (under 3.4 oz)
5. Sandwich (use individual packets of mayo or mustard)
6. Nuts
7. Granola/Protein Bar
8. Muffins/Baked Goods (no jelly, cream, or custard-filled donuts)
9. Popcorn
10. Dried Fruits

From Our Guests
After discussing some TSA-friendly snack options in our exclusive Holiday Travelers Club Facebook group, we found the most popular snack was peanut butter crackers. Other well-loved options include flavored tuna pouches, peanut butter sandwiches, candy bars, and cashews.

Things to Remember 

• • Don’t bring any food to the security point unwrapped – wrap it or place it in a container. All food must go through the X-ray machine.
• • If your snack is considered a liquid, paste, or gel, it must be under 3.4 ounces. This includes liquids like juice, yogurt, syrup, soup, jams, jellies, condiments, or anything jarred in oil, spreadable items like nut butters, pâté, creamy cheeses, hummus, and other dips.

If you’re unsure whether a food is TSA-friendly, you can browse the TSA’s “What Can I Bring” article for a comprehensive list. In fact, they even provide the option for you to snap a picture of the food and message them on their AskTSA page.

We hope these tips help you on your next flight! Bringing your own food is a great way to save money and eat what you like instead of bland airline snacks. Stay tuned for more expert travel tips in this new Holiday Travelers Tips series!