Healthiest airports to eat at during holiday travel
Whether you’re visiting family or just trying to escape the cold, millions of travelers are flocking to the nation’s busiest airports beginning Thanksgiving week.
And, many of them are going to be hungry.
A new report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) aims to help travelers eat healthy. The nonprofits’ 13th annual Airport Food Review looks at the restaurant menus for eateries at 18 of the 30 busiest U.S. airports.
The last place-airport on his list had only 50 percent of its restaurants offer healthy options, including immunity-boosting vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. The healthiest major airport in the country had at least one healthy option at 85 percent of its restaurants.
From last to first, here are the airports with the healthiest fare for fliers.
13. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int'l
The world’s busiest airport ranked last on the committee’s list for the third year in a row: Only 53 of its 103 eateries offer healthy options.
Best bets may include Fresh Healthy Cafe for its fresh kale wraps, and dairy- and gluten-free salads and smoothies. Or people can try the garden mint sushi at One Flew South or the D8 Grill for a black bean burger, among other options.
Score: 51 percent healthy
12. Las Vegas McCarran Int'l Airport
It hasn’t been a great year for this airport’s healthy fare. Las Vegas dropped from second place in 2012 to 12th for 2013's list.
Some healthy choices include Pei Wei’s Hunan vegetable lettuce wraps, Sammy’s Beach Bar’s mixed greens beach salad topped with portobello mushrooms, or veggie burritos from establishments including Baja Fresh, Don Alejandro's Texan Grill, Jose Cuervo Tequileria and Moe's Southwest Grill.
Score: 68 percent healthy
11. Charlotte Douglas Int'l Airport
Falling three spots this year is North Carolina's major airport.
There are some healthy options though, says PCRM, including the Dakota Pea Soup at Taste of Carolina Bar, the Pitt Stop Veggie Burger at the Stock Car Cafe and the steamed veggie Buddhist Bowl at Genghis Grill.
Score: 70 percent healthy
10. (tie) Miami International Airport
Miami International Airport drops from fifth to 10th for the 2013 rankings.
PCRM points out healthy options include a new restaurant named Counter, which serves a bean-filled burger that goes on a bun and a salad with more than 21 fresh vegetable toppings. Casa Bacardi has coconut mango salads and fresh fruit plates, or hungry travelers can try Cafe Versailles and order its mixed greens topped with beans, rice and sweet plantains.
Score: 71 percent healthy
10. (tie) Orlando International Airport
Another Florida airport is tied for 10th on PCRM's healthy fare rankings.
Travelers to Orlando can opt for cannellini bean bruschetta and roasted veggie wraps with lemon hummus at McCoy’s Bar & Grill. Brioche Doree lets you build a meal-sized salad with your choice with veggies, grains, nuts and beans as well.
Score: 71 percent healthy
9. Minneapolis-St. Paul Int'l Airport
Minneapolis dropped slightly from eighth to ninth place in 2013. PCRM flags its French Meadow Bakery and Cafe (pictured) for having creative health foods like roasted beet and pear salad and grilled tempeh reubens. If you’re feeling Japanese fare, Taste of Shoyu has healthy meals like wild the mushroom soba bowl.
Score: 72 percent healthy
8. Houston George Bush Intercont'l
If you’re traveling down South to this major airport, PCRM recommends you hit up Lefty’s Lonestar Grill for veggie burgers and salads, or Mango Taco Truck for squash tacos and fresh mango slices. Zpizza offers a Mediterranean plate and Yuppie Veggie Sandwich that passed the committee’s review.
Score: 73 percent healthy
7. Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark loses plummeted from first to seventh place after losing some of its healthier options.
Travelers should seek out Smashburger’s Harvest Salad or
swing by the Garden State Diner for its signature veggie triple decker -- but
you should hold the cheese, says PCRM. Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen offers
spaghetti, steamed veggies and fresh salads too.
Score: 74 percent healthy
6. San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco rose three spots on this year’s list.
Plant Cafe and Pinkberry have more than a dozen healthy options, says the nonprofit. Other options include the portobello burger at Legends of San Francisco or unique BLT from Brewing Company, which contains bean sprouts, lettuce and tomato.
Score: 76 percent healthy
5. (tie) Dallas/Fort Worth Int'l Airport
The fourth busiest airport in the country moved up two spots on the 2013 list.
Looking for healthy fare while traveling? Urban Taco and Cantina Laredo offer a variety of veggie-packed tacos, tostada salads and burritos, according to PCRM. Cousin’s Bar-B-Q and Ill Forks offer their own spins on veggie plates.
Score: 79 percent healthy
5. (tie) Phoenix Sky Harbor Int'l Airport
PCRM says travelers can eat healthy and not go hungry if they snack on Brussels sprouts or kale salad from Chelsea’s Kitchen, chickpea lettuce wraps from La Grande Orange or a healthy burrito bowl from the trans fat-free Sir Veza’s Taco Garage.
Score: 79 percent healthy
4. (tie) Washington Dulles Int'l Airport
Score: 80 percent healthy
4. (tie) Baltimore/Washington Int'l
BWI rose from 10th place to fourth this year.
Healthy options include the Silver Diner’s (pictured) portobello vegetarian stir-fry or hearty autumn veggie chili. Travelers can also stop by the Chesapeake Cafe or Rams Head Tavern for fresh cut greens and seaweed salad.
Score: 80 percent healthy
3. (tie) Reagan Washington National
National Airport is was the most improved this year, moving up from 11th place on the 2012 report.
For healthy options, there’s the Asian peanut-tofu wrap from Euro Café, a cup of Moroccan lentil soup or Smart Fit salad from Cosi. Stop by National Airport Grill for a grilled vegetable entrée made with squash, zucchini, and baked eggplant, says PRCM.
Pictured here is the Mediterranean vegetable sandwich from Potbelly.
Score: 83 percent healthy
3. (tie) Los Angeles International Airport
LAX ranks as the third healthiest and busiest airport in the country, impressive considering the airport was 10th place in last year’s healthy rankings.
At LAX, you can try the soba noodles with kimchi-marinated vegetables at Lemonade restaurant. Or, head to Encounter Restaurant for a California market salad with sides of steamed bok choy, asparagus, and butternut squash puree. Homeboy Cafe offers hibiscus flower tacos, stuffed with serrano peppers and cilantro, and dishes out guacamole with grilled pineapples instead of corn chips.
Score: 83 percent healthy
2. (tie) Chicago O’Hare Int'l Airport
Chicago ties for second on the healthiest airport list.
O’Hare has plenty of options for a fresh salad, including Zoot Cafe, Fresh Attractions, or Farmers Market.
The chili at Goose Island Beer Company or veggie roll, edamame and seaweed salad at Wicker Park Sushi (pictured) are among the best options, according to the report.
Score: 85 percent healthy
2. (tie) Detroit Metro. Wayne Co. Airport
Detroit moved up one spot this year to tie with Chicago’s major airport.
Feel free to indulge on a veggie wrap at Slapshotz or stop by Hockeytown Cafe for a variety of green options, including the Michigan salad topped with Traverse City dried cherries.
Score: 85 percent healthy
1. Denver International Airport
Denver flew from ninth place to first for this year’s rankings -– the first time Denver has topped PCRM’s rankings since 2003.
Best options include a Colorado Sunshine Wrap at Itza Wrap! Itza Bowl! (pictured), or the barley burger at Boulder Beer Tap House. City Wok offers a hot vegetable entrée, including Tofu-Edamame, while Woody Creek Bakery Café offers hearty vegetable soups, fresh salads, and roma tomato paninis.
Score: 86 percent healthy