7 Comments
User's avatar
Jeff Sullivan's avatar

That picture at the end is chilling in a way. I'm allergic to nuts but still what your grandma packed sounds better.

Expand full comment
Heike Larson's avatar

So true! We usually pack healthy snacks when traveling--or I may just decide to make the travel day a fasting day: better to use it to let my body recover from feeding than feeding it with the junk that passes for airport food.

There is one bright spot, though: I've recently seen healthier food vending machines at several airports like LAX and SNA. Farmer's Fridge seems like a good alternative, and I hope they succeed:

https://www.farmersfridge.com/

Expand full comment
Jonny Bates's avatar

That is a bright spot, thanks. Despite my ranting above, I know we are headed toward more truth in health and quicker feedback loops that will force these chains to clean up their acts (and whitewash their histories). The counter/machine will scan you and craft exactly what your body needs at that moment and within your palate. Next we have to make meals social again...

https://insider.fitt.co/issue-no-256-unhappy-meals/

Expand full comment
Justin Kamm's avatar

Ugh, yes, this is on point and well said Jonny! Been wanting to do a piece about food in hospitals as well...same message.

Expand full comment
Wyatt Ehler's avatar

Dude, you nailed it! Eat whole foods and dodge the not-so-whole stuff. Seems simple enough to me. I appreciate you breaking it down and I LOVE the great-grandmother test.

Expand full comment
Jack Dixon's avatar

I absolutely love this paragraph:

Whole foods perish within days of purchase. They’re in my fridge or in a bowl on the counter. Much of the animal kingdom would kill for them. They’re a single ingredient. My or someone’s great-grandmother could recognize them. They contain nutrients and live beneficial bacteria. Living food for the living. 

Saved to my phone for future reading. So well written and on point 👌🏻

Expand full comment
Nicolás Forero's avatar

"It's every airport in America. We complain about the TSA's twenty-year reign but overlook the oppressors."

I'd say worldwide. I can't count the overpriced bread and bread and ham and bread sandwiches throughout Europe and LATAM. It's worse for health-conscious people because we are more likely to go through it, whether that means not eating or stuffing on unhealthy stuff to tick necessary nutrients.

Great piece :)

Expand full comment