Winter 2009• Volume XVIII, Number 1

Vegetarian Foods Taking Off at Nation’s Airports

Where can a hungry airline traveler find a healthful meal? To find out, PCRM dietitians looked at foods served in restaurants at 15 of the busiest airports in the nation—and they discovered that vegetarian foods are increasingly available. PCRM’s eighth annual Airport Food Review found that 80 percent of the airports’ restaurants offer at least one low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free vegetarian option.

In this year’s report, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport tied for first place with Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport: 95 percent of the restaurants at both airports offer at least one vegetarian meal. The airport that really took off was Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which, after ranking in 10th place in 2006 and not participating in 2007, emerged in third place this year.

Even some low-ranking airports are making improvements: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport remained in last place for a second year, but it was most improved in percentage of restaurants offering healthful options—from 42 percent in 2007 to 60 percent in 2008.

Healthful options at airports include the Mediterranean platter at La Tapenade Mediterranean Café at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the vegan stromboli at French Meadow Bakery & Café at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and the roasted veggie ciabatta at Brioche Dorée at Los Angeles International Airport.