Washington National and Miami Lag Behind; Las Vegas Is Most Improved

WASHINGTON —Holiday travelers should have no trouble finding a healthful meal in many of the nation's busiest airports, according to an annual report just released by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

PCRM nutritionists found that 82 percent of the restaurants surveyed offer at least one low-fat, cholesterol-free vegetarian entrée, making this the second year in a row with such a high score. The survey—now in its seventh year—examined food served at 15 of the busiest airports in the country.

However, some airports are much better than others. If you’re laying over in Dallas, Chicago, or Detroit, you’ll have no trouble finding a healthful meal. If you’re traveling through Washington or Miami, you’ll have to look harder.

“The biggest health issue for travelers is not air safety. It’s the cholesterol-laden burgers, fried chicken, and battered fish sticks eaten during layovers that present a much greater long-term threat,” says PCRM dietitian Susan Levin, M.S., R.D.

More than 90 percent of the restaurants at Dallas, Detroit, and O'Hare airports offer a healthful option. The figure in Miami is 67 percent, and at Washington National is a dismal 42 percent.

PCRM dietitians gave each restaurant a point if its menu included at least one low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free vegetarian entrée. The final percentage score was derived by dividing the airport's number of restaurants serving health-conscious fare by its total number of restaurants.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, conducts clinical research,and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research.